Employment Insurance (EI) in Canada: A Newcomer's Guide

Employment Insurance (EI) is Canada's government safety net if you lose your job. Both you and your employer contribute to EI through payroll deductions — and if you qualify, EI pays you 55% of your average weekly earnings for a set period while you search for work.

Can newcomers collect EI?

Yes — if you've worked in Canada and paid EI premiums. EI is based on hours worked, not immigration status. As long as you have worked the required insurable hours in Canada and contributed to EI through payroll deductions, you are eligible to claim, regardless of whether you are PR, temporary resident, or even on a work permit.

The key requirement: insurable hours

The number of hours you need to qualify for EI depends on your region's unemployment rate. In areas with low unemployment (like Calgary), you need more hours (700). In areas with high unemployment, you need fewer hours (420). Most full-time workers accumulate enough hours in 3–4 months of employment.

When you can claim EI

• Laid off (employer reduced workforce or your position eliminated)
• Fired — but NOT if you were fired for gross misconduct (intentional wrongdoing)
• Seasonal work ended
• Temporary layoff
• If you voluntarily quit — you generally cannot claim EI unless you quit for just cause (harassment, unsafe workplace, etc.)

How to apply for EI

1. Apply within 4 weeks of your last day — Delays in applying delay your payments. Apply as soon as possible — you can apply the same day you're laid off.
2. Apply online at My Service Canada Account — Go to canada.ca/employment-insurance. You'll need your SIN, Record of Employment (ROE) from your employer, banking information for direct deposit, and employment history for the past 52 weeks.
3. Get your Record of Employment (ROE) — Your employer must issue your ROE within 5 days of your last pay period. If they submit it electronically, it goes directly to Service Canada. If they give you a paper ROE, submit it with your application.
4. Serve a 2-week waiting period — EI has a 1-week waiting period where no benefits are paid. Benefits start from the second week.
5. Submit bi-weekly reports while collecting — Every 2 weeks you must report online that you are actively looking for work and report any earnings. Failure to report can result in penalties and repayment requirements.

EI maternity and parental leave

EI also covers maternity leave (15 weeks at 55% of earnings for the birth parent) and parental leave (40–69 weeks shared between parents at 55% or 33% of earnings). Newcomers qualify as long as they have 600 insurable hours in the past 52 weeks. Both parents can take separate leave.

EI rates and premiums

In 2026, employees pay $1.64 per $100 of insurable earnings (premium rate). Employers pay 1.4x the employee rate. Deductions are automatic through payroll — you don't need to do anything to contribute.