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bmoorthamers

Newbie
Feb 17, 2016
2
0
Hi,

My IEC has been a collection of bad timings. By the time I got selected and received my PoE letter (which is valid until April 7th 2017), I had gotten a new job opportunity which I decided to pursue at that time. Right now, I am looking for other options and while the IEC is a great one, I am likely about to start a PhD coming fall in the US (so not Canada-related). That's still not 100% set in stone, as long as I am not registered anything can go wrong. Initially I thought of going to Canada to activate the IEC visa before April 7th, just to make sure I have it in case the PhD doesn't work out, but this is quite an expensive and timeconsuming endeavour (I am from Belgium).

I always thought I would lose my chance of IEC if I decide not to make use of the PoE letter and hence never Canada, but have now found some sources that indicate otherwise. I can't seem to find a definite answer. Can anyone please tell me? In that case I would just let the IEC slide and reapply if the time is right.

Thanks a lot,
Best Regards,

Bruno
 
Pretty sure this: answers my own question, if I don't use it, it still counts as an IEC participation: cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=937&top=25

You get only one, right? Hence, if I don't use it, I never get to go?

Cheers
 
bmoorthamers said:
Pretty sure this: answers my own question, if I don't use it, it still counts as an IEC participation: cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=937&top=25

You get only one, right? Hence, if I don't use it, I never get to go?

Cheers
If your country only allows a single participation, that appears to be correct. Note: As a Belgian citizen, you may participate in IEC only once. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/eligibility.asp?country=be&cat=wh
 
bmoorthamers said:
Pretty sure this: answers my own question, if I don't use it, it still counts as an IEC participation: cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=937&top=25

You get only one, right? Hence, if I don't use it, I never get to go?

Cheers

Yes - it still counts as a participation even if you don't use it since the POE letter has been issued.