Canadian Employement Insurance and TD visa

[asherah]

My husband recently moved to the US on a TN1 visa. For the time being I am still in Canada as I have a good job here and we did not want to give up my salary. However, it looks as if he will be staying for consecutive TNs and I would like to move down there with him. I do not have a job lined up so will initially go on a TD VISA. However, I have a Master's Degree and work as a Computer Systems Manager, so I believe I would qualify for a TN visa if I find a job. I was wondering if it is at all possible to qualify for Canadian Employment Insurance while I look for a job in the US? I read some of the information about EI for Canadians living in the US and it was pretty vague. I know that if my husband's job forced me to relocate within Canada, I would qualify for EI. Any information or advice would be great!

[Reba]

You would only be eligible to collect EI if you were ready willing and able to work. As you will not have a work permit, you are not able to work, so unfortunately, you are not eligible for EI with a TD visa.