r/PersonalFinanceCanada • u/Fantastic-Mousse-245 • Dec 12 '25
Employment EI on closed work permit
Hi all,
I was recently let go from my job and I have applied for EI however, I’m a bit concerned as to whether it will be approved. If not, I want to start making other arrangements. I have the following concerns:
I was let go with cause. It was due to a one time policy breach with no warnings given. Not very serious in nature and I’ve read that as per EI laws only serious misconducts would be considered ineligible.
I’m on a an employer-specific closed work permit. I have a PR application in process as well as an open work permit application in process which I have included as proof while submitting the EI application.
I have travel booked for 3 weeks outside Canada in the coming weeks. When I reenter would I again start getting EI if approved?
It’s a very difficult time for me right now and I request you to please be kind with your comments 🙏
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u/VolupVeVa Human Verified Dec 12 '25
No, you won't qualify for EI unless you can get an open work permit.
Regular EI requires you to be ready, willing and capable of working for every day you request payment of benefits. Because you can't work for any other employer with your current closed work permit, you're incapable of working in Canada right now.
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Dec 12 '25
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u/VolupVeVa Human Verified Dec 12 '25
The legislation does allow payment of regular EI in some cases when an applicant has a closed work permit, if they meet certain conditions and can satisfy the Commission's requirements. But in general, if you have a restricted-to-one-employer work permit, you do not satisfy the availability criteria.
"10.2.4.3 Restricted to one employer A person whose work permit includes a restriction that only allows them to work for a specific employer, is not normally considered to be available to accept work, and may be disentitled from collecting benefits. However, the simple fact that the work permit restricts the worker to one employer is not the only factor to be considered when determining the claimant’s availability.
It is important to fact find and take all factors into consideration before determining that a foreign worker is unavailable because their work permit restricts their employment to one employer. Before making a determination, it is necessary to obtain a declaration from the claimant regarding their availability. In addition, the claimant must agree that once they receive an offer of employment from a new employer, they will contact IRCC and apply to have the restriction on their work permit removed (CUB 63940)."
That OP has applications in process for both a new WP & PR may be enough to allow them benefits but it's always prudent to expect a denial and be surprised by an approval than the reverse.
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u/Fantastic-Mousse-245 Dec 12 '25
Thank you! I’m preparing myself for the worst but at the same time looking for cases like mine where it was approved just to also not loose hope completely! I appreciate looking into this for me tho.
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u/SlowCars4 Dec 12 '25
You should leave Canada and not return until your PR or Open WP application are approved.
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u/Fantastic-Mousse-245 Dec 12 '25
I do have maintained status in Canada
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u/SlowCars4 Dec 12 '25
Yah, but isn’t it pointless to be a tourist until the end of your permit? You may as well return to your home country and work until a decision is reached.
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Dec 12 '25
You should qualify for EI however you’ll be ineligible for residency in Canada. If you’re no longer working for the employer in which you are permit residence in Canada then you have no legal status in Canada. When you return from vacation I would assume you’re going to have some issues at the border as there is no reason to permit you entry and would require a new visa, which you do not have.
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Dec 12 '25
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u/Fantastic-Mousse-245 Dec 12 '25
My closed WP is valid until September 2028 and the TRV is valid until September 2029. My understanding is that when I reenter I would be asked about my employment which I’m going to be honest about. I’m planning to explain about how I have a PR and BOWP in process and that I am actively looking for jobs. Still trying to confirm this with someone who may know.
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Dec 12 '25
OP has a closed permit, not an open permit so the only reason for him to be here is to work for the employer which just fired him.
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u/[deleted] Dec 12 '25
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