Canada Child Benefit (CCB): what foreign workers need to know

If you are a foreign worker in Canada and you have a child under the age of 18, you may be eligible to receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB), a tax-free monthly payment that helps families cover the costs of raising a child. This payment is administered by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and is an important support for many families in the country. Want to know how to apply as a foreign worker?

Read this blog to the end, as today is dedicated to the child benefit for temporary foreign workers (TFWs) and other non-citizens, here I will share a guide that will help you identify your eligibility and certain requirements related to residency and immigration status that are indispensable. Let's get started!

What is the Canada Child Benefit (CCB)?

The CCB is a Canadian federal program that provides monthly income-based payments to eligible families. It is not considered social assistance, which means that it will not negatively affect your immigration status or your application for permanent residence (PR).

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Requirements to qualify for the CCB as a foreign worker

If you are a foreign worker and wish to qualify for the CCB, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a resident of Canada for tax purposes.
• Live with a child under the age of 18 and be the child's primary caregiver.
• File taxes in Canada, even if you had no income.
• Have one of the following immigration statuses:

• Canadian Citizen
• Permanent resident
• Protected person (refugee)
• Temporary resident who:

• Has lived in Canada for at least 18 months
• Have a valid work permit
• Do not be subject to restrictions such as "does not confer temporary resident status".

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Important facts for foreign workers to know about the CCB

There are additional requirements that may condition the eligibility of foreign workers for the CCB, these are associated with:

• Type of work permit

Your eligibility may depend on the type of work permit you have, for example:

• Open work permits: for example, the post-graduation work permit or the open spouse permit.
• Employer-specific work permits, e.g., under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program with LMIA.
• Permits under international agreements, e.g., CUSMA, IEC.

It is important to check if your permit has restrictions. For example, if it says "does not confer temporary resident status," then you will not be eligible for the CCB.

• Residency requirements

The interested party must:

• Have lived in Canada for at least 18 months before applying.
• Have a valid work permit that allows you to stay in Canada for at least six more months.

• Provincial factors

Some provinces, such as Quebec, offer their own child benefit programs. These may have different rules, so check with your provincial tax agency before applying.

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How to apply to the CCB?

1. File your taxes in Canada, even if you had no income.
2. Fill out form RC66 (Canada Child Benefit application form).
3. Attach proof of your status in Canada, e.g. copy of your work permit, SIN number, immigration documents.

Does receiving the CCB affect immigration status?

Good news! It does not affect it. 

• The CCB is not considered welfare and does not affect your applications for permanent residency or work permits.
• Receiving the CCB does not negatively impact your eligibility for immigration programs such as Express Entry, PNP or spousal sponsorship.
• If your work permit expires and you lose your legal status, you will no longer be eligible for the CCB.

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Recommendations for a successful CCB application

It is important to conduct a well-informed application process. Some common mistakes to avoid include the following:

• Apply before completing 18 months of residency. Do not apply without first verifying the timing and dates of your documents.
• Do not file taxes in Canada. Remember that even if you did not earn income you must file your taxes.
• Apply with a work permit that has restrictions.
• Ignore provincial child benefit programs. Be constantly updated from official sites at the federal, provincial and territorial levels.

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I hope these recommendations will be useful for you to receive the Canada Child Benefit (CCB). If you are a foreign worker and you need this financial support, make sure you are well aware of the requirements to apply. 

If you have questions about filling out the form, you can contact our Immiland consulting team by clicking here or schedule a personalized consultation. You can also contact the CRA directly.

Thank you very much for reading, see you in the next blog!

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With love, 

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Immiland Canada

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