Aus IEC visa - second visa - HELPPP

[Bneyyc123]

Hi there,

I'm really hoping someone can give me some clarification on this!

I applied for my first working holiday visa in 2014, and entered canada in February 2015.

Since arriving they changed the legislation on how many times you can participate in the WH visa for Australians.

The new legislation states on the website

If you participated in IEC one or more times before 2015, you may be eligible for a final participation of up to 24 months in the category of your choice.

My visa expires in feb 2017, but I have seen on other forums that if you currently held the visa when the rules changed you are eligible for another 24 month visa.

I have called CIC and they basically tell me to read the website, and won't clarify anything for me regarding dates/cut off dates to be included in the loop hole. It may be false hope but I'm hoping considering they hadn't changed to rules when I actually arrived here that maybe I'm included in the loop hole!?

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you

Ps I'm sorry if my formatting sucks I'm new to this

 

[scylla]

To the best of my knowledge you're not eligible for another participation. I believe "participation" is determined by when you activated your visa by arriving in Canada. Since you activated your visa in 2015 - you don't qualify under the exemption and can't apply again.

 

[ozlis]

To the best of my knowledge you're not eligible for another participation. I believe "participation" is determined by when you activated your visa by arriving in Canada. Since you activated your visa in 2015 - you don't qualify under the exemption and can't apply again.

Yep, Scylla is right.

By activating in 2015, you are not eligible for the extra permit.

 

[Smiddy06]

Hi
I am in a similar situation, however I activated my visa in October 2014 when I entered Canada (expires October 2016).

Does that mean I can apply for a second 2 year IEC as I "Participated" in the program prior to 2015.

Any clarification here would be amazing, I have been scouring the internet for a definitive answer.

Additional bonus question, if I am eligible, when should I apply? 12 weeks out?

Cheers

 

[ozlis]

Hi
I am in a similar situation, however I activated my visa in October 2014 when I entered Canada (expires October 2016).

Does that mean I can apply for a second 2 year IEC as I "Participated" in the program prior to 2015.

Any clarification here would be amazing, I have been scouring the internet for a definitive answer.

Additional bonus question, if I am eligible, when should I apply? 12 weeks out?

Cheers

Yep, you are good for one last IEC visa.

You don't need to wait for the 12 weeks anymore, you can apply anytime. Once you are approved you have 12 months to activate, so whenever suits you.

 

[jamieb14]

I am in a similar situation but from the UK on my second IEC visa but participated in my first one in 2013-2014 so I should be eligible for 24 months.

I just entered canada yesterday and was issued a 12 month permit and not 24 months, I argued my case and spoke to a supervisor but they would not change it. They advised to wait until a couple month before it expires and apply for an extension, but i am sure you can't get extensions on IEC visa's?

Am i right in saying even though i had 12 months previously in 2013-2014 I should have got 24 months this time around?

Anyone had luck with appealing and getting an extension?

Thanks in advance

 

[ozlis]

Not sure about the UK sorry!

But you are correct in that you cannot extend the IEC permits. Definitely try to battle your case now rather than later.

 

[Smiddy06]

Thanks Ozlis, you're an absolute legend.

One last question, if I get my new IEC visa but don't want to activate it until closer to October, if I go down to Mexico for a holiday in June, will it override my current visa or cause any issues when I enter Canada again?

 

[ozlis]

No problem at all, you can wait until the very last day of your current permit to activate the next one. Coming in and out of the country won't effect that.

 

[jj.thom1]

Yep, you are good for one last IEC visa.

You don't need to wait for the 12 weeks anymore, you can apply anytime. Once you are approved you have 12 months to activate, so whenever suits you.

I am in the same boat as above. For the forms what address would i put i.e. say i am living in canada or provide Aus address? I am actually going home to see family a few days before my visa expires then will be back a week or so later.

Any help appreciated

Thanks!

 

[fussy-p]

Hey Bneyyc123,

That's so bizarre, I'm in exactly the same situation. Letter of entry is from 2014 but entered in Feb 2015.
I'm applying for my 2nd one now because when I entered, as you said, the rules hadn't actually come out yet regarding the new IEC conditions for Australians.

It's not clear what it means to 'participate'... because technically our allocations were issued from the 2014 pool (during that year there was a finite amount of allocations). Therefore, on my current application where it asks when did you participate in the IEC program.. I'm putting my Dec 14 letter of entry date and see what happens.

Does anyone else have any info on this? As mentioned, the rules hadn't been released yet re Australians being limited to 1 visa in Feb 2015.

Cheers

 

[Limey]

Hey Bneyyc123 & fussy-p , I'm in the exact position you're both in.
Did either one of you manage to renew your IEC with the 2015 cut off?
Any help on this would be much appreciated
Cheers

 

[Limey]

Hey Bneyyc123,

That's so bizarre, I'm in exactly the same situation. Letter of entry is from 2014 but entered in Feb 2015.
I'm applying for my 2nd one now because when I entered, as you said, the rules hadn't actually come out yet regarding the new IEC conditions for Australians.

It's not clear what it means to 'participate'... because technically our allocations were issued from the 2014 pool (during that year there was a finite amount of allocations). Therefore, on my current application where it asks when did you participate in the IEC program.. I'm putting my Dec 14 letter of entry date and see what happens.

Does anyone else have any info on this? As mentioned, the rules hadn't been released yet re Australians being limited to 1 visa in Feb 2015.

Cheers

Were you able to to get your second IEC?

 

[Becikl007]

As far as I know, participation counts when you were approved. If you were approved in 2014 and entered Canada in 2015 it doesn't matter, cause you were still approved in 2014. You can participate again for a final 24 months.

 

[Bs65]

As far as I know, participation counts when you were approved. If you were approved in 2014 and entered Canada in 2015 it doesn't matter, cause you were still approved in 2014. You can participate again for a final 24 months.

Exactly correct in that the moment your POE letter is issued counts as a participation not the date you land. So if your POE was issued in 2014 that counts as a 2014 participation whether you land or not later.