The Canuck EI Thread

[Mad & J 25]

My home province was BC. I think it works that way because the office that looks after out of the country claims is in Ontario.

I tried this and it worked! But sadly, it's not much help. I can't view my current claim or payment information, when I click on them I get the following: "Our records show that you live outside of Canada therefore you will not be able to use this service. If you do live in Canada, select the View/change my province of residence link from the Change tab on the My Service Canada Account home page to specify your province of residence." All I can access is my ROE.

[oncefuturealien 45]

I tried this and it worked! But sadly, it's not much help. I can't view my current claim or payment information, when I click on them I get the following: "Our records show that you live outside of Canada therefore you will not be able to use this service. If you do live in Canada, select the View/change my province of residence link from the Change tab on the My Service Canada Account home page to specify your province of residence." All I can access is my ROE.

Well, I went through mine, and under View/change my province of residence, it says Ontario. This is just a quirk of the website I guess, because Service Canada knows where I live and mails me my stuff.

Try changing to Ontario and see what happens?

Also, I think the site takes a little while to get all your stuff in there, so if your claim is new, it may not be in the system yet.

[NikLR 13,220]

It took quite a while for my stuff to show up in there too. I had a service canada account for years before moving.

[mrskent 11]

I just started to read through this topic and I'm curious to know if i am eligible.

I am a Canadian citizen, working in Canada (supporting both by UCS husband and myself) and I'm just waiting for my CR-1 application to be complete.

I've requested my employer for a transfer, but due to the company going through hardships, it seems my chances to do so are dwindling.

Can I move to the US and apply for EI until I establish employment there? Or is this only applicable to K1 applicants as you plan to come back to Canada after the 90 day period?

Thanks so much!

[NovaSprings 89]

I just started to read through this topic and I'm curious to know if i am eligible.

I am a Canadian citizen, working in Canada (supporting both by UCS husband and myself) and I'm just waiting for my CR-1 application to be complete.

I've requested my employer for a transfer, but due to the company going through hardships, it seems my chances to do so are dwindling.

Can I move to the US and apply for EI until I establish employment there? Or is this only applicable to K1 applicants as you plan to come back to Canada after the 90 day period?

Thanks so much!

Yes you can apply if you enter on a CR-1, matter of fact, other than the standard 2 week waiting period, there is no additional wait to start collecting, unlike K1 visa. I did my application and do my biweekly reporting all via the phone, and it works great (except for an issue with me traveling to T.O.) You can give the international claims ctr a call at 1 877 486 1650. One thing that sped my claim up was when I left work I had HR put "quit - relocation due to spouse" on my Record of employment.

[MarciaSean 11]

I moved back to the US recently (I'm the USC) and called the EI Interstate Claims phone number. I read this is required if you have already moved to the states.

I was told that since I had worked in Canada for at least the last year I should complete the EI Application and they would send me a questionnaire. I will have to provide copies of my US Passport & Canadian Permanent Resident Card.

Have any other USC's applied after their spouse received an IR-1 Visa and they moved to the US?

[oncefuturealien 45]

I moved back to the US recently (I'm the USC) and called the EI Interstate Claims phone number. I read this is required if you have already moved to the states.

I was told that since I had worked in Canada for at least the last year I should complete the EI Application and they would send me a questionnaire. I will have to provide copies of my US Passport & Canadian Permanent Resident Card.

Have any other USC's applied after their spouse received an IR-1 Visa and they moved to the US?

You made it! congrats!

[AstroCanada 206]

Reading lots of pages of this thread and a bit confused. Trying to figure out how exactly my spouse can claim EI. Here's our story:

• I'm the USC and we live together in Toronto now. I have just accepted a job back in the US and will be moving there shortly.
• My spouse (the Canadian) is working full time now. His green card looks like it will come through best case in December.
• We plan to move him to the US when either:
• A) his green card is approved. B) The end of the year, where he will come as a visitor if his green card is not yet approved.

I know for scenario A that he can get claim EI when moving to the US. What might happen in scenario B? Can he quit his job to come to move to the US and still be eligible for EI once his green card is issued? Is there a way to handle it similarly to the way K-1 visas are handled?

It's all a little bit confusing to me. Any enlightenment would be very helpful.

[oncefuturealien 45]

I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but my impression is: he cannot collect EI until he has his visa (green card, although it's just a page laminated into his passport for now, and the actual card will follow later); he cannot change his place of residence to the US until he has his visa; he has to receive his visa while still officially resident in Canada. He has to complete his POE (point of entry--that is, his official change of residency) after issuance of his visa.

If he can maintain a residence in Canada while visiting you in the US, then he can visit you in the US.

Always remember that even if he has a successful interview, it may take some time (weeks or months) for his passport to be returned. Depending on finances it may be more prudent for him to stay in T.O. and continue to work until he sees ISSUED on his file.

I'm known to be pretty cautious though! so others may have different opinions.

[NikLR 13,220]

B).. how exactly is your spouse moving to the USA without an immigrant visa?

[NikLR 13,220]

Best case scenario is not Dec, more like March next year.

[AstroCanada 206]

Best case scenario is not Dec, more like March next year.

We're nearing the end of the USCIS process hopefully. NVC shouldn't be too slow. His plan was to come and visit until everything is finalized.

[NikLR 13,220]

Be prepared for more questions. Long visits are questioned more and scrutinized more when someone doesnt have a job or good ties to Canada. Canadians do get denied entry.

[oncefuturealien 45]

NVC timing ranges from about a month to six months or more (mine took about 6 weeks but our paperwork was perfect). From there it was 7 weeks until my interview, and then almost two months until I received my visa. I had to send additional information (additional sponsor), which is not at all unusual. Note that normally from the time of your interview until visa issuance, you have no passport. So cross-border air travel is not possible in that interval (which may be a matter of days, or...may not).

[NikLR 13,220]

USCIS is normally 5-6 months. So adding that time to your May NOA1, thats Oct-Nov. Theres almost no way to get the visa by the end of December with an NOA2 of that date.