Should I wait for next invite or can I use the existing invite [ work experience]

[AJ816]

I have:

• 10 months of foreign work experience: June 23, 2021 to April 29, 2022.
• Canadian work experience: January 6, 2025 to present.
  • Took a 4-week vacation outside Canada: September 7 to October 4, 2025.
• Also worked a 2-month remote contract job for a non-Canadian employer: September 1 to October 31, 2025.

I entered these details in my Express Entry profile and I was awarded points for foreign work experience even though I was also working full-time in Canada.
I understand I have 2 months to accept the ITA, but when am I technically eligible?

1. January 6, 2026
2. February 6, 2026 (because of the vacation or can it be earlier?)
3. March 6, 2026 (to avoid “double dipping” by counting Sept–Oct 2025 as foreign experience instead of Canadian experience: Jan–Aug 2025 Canada, Sept–Oct 2025 foreign, Nov 2025–Mar 2026 Canada to complete the remaining CEC experience)

 

[scylla]

Was the four weeks a paid vacation?

 

[AJ816]

Yes it was completely paid, i have paystubs too

 

[Naturgrl]

Don't count foreign experience because it is at the same time as your Canadian experience- double dipping. So if counting both then March 2026.

Don't start two threads.

 

[AJ816]

Don't count foreign experience because it is at the same time as your Canadian experience- double dipping. So if counting both then March 2026.

Don't start two threads.

That was what I was planning to do so. But this post made me think otherwise https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-ircc-guidance-concurrent-remote-foreign-burcu-ckr4c/


TL;DR: Express Entry prevents stacking time (you can’t get 2 weeks of experience in 1 week), but it does not automatically prohibit having Canadian work and foreign work during the same calendar period, as long as each job independently meets the criteria and is documented.

 

[Naturgrl]

That was what I was planning to do so. But this post made me think otherwise https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-ircc-guidance-concurrent-remote-foreign-burcu-ckr4c/


TL;DR: Express Entry prevents stacking time (you can’t get 2 weeks of experience in 1 week), but it does not automatically prohibit having Canadian work and foreign work during the same calendar period, as long as each job independently meets the criteria and is documented.

Provide the IRCC operational guidelines and not a consultant, please.

 

[canuck78]

Believe you can only count 2 weeks of paid vacation per year.