Travel to Canada after ICT is approved but before its start date

[heejoojin97]

The title says it all: given that I have eTA, can I visit Canada using eTA after my ICT is approved but before its start date?

For example, let’s say my ICT already got approved and I have received the correspondence letter saying that I can get my permit when I enter Canada.

I want to travel to Canada in December 2024 for a week but I plan to start working in January 2025 so I will be re-entering then.

Then is it okay to not pick up my work permit during my visit in December as I am visiting for traveling, not working? Because my understanding is that the start date of the work permit is when I enter Canada and obviously I don’t plan to start working then.

If I explain this at the border, would they understand?

I would appreciate any insight, thank you!