Manage International Living

How to cancel international living and stop recurring charges in canada

What international living is and why you might cancel

International Living is a private membership publisher that delivers newsletters, digital issues, and subscriber-only resources for people exploring retirement, relocation, or long-term travel abroad. The service typically costs around CAD $210-$244 annually and includes 12 digital monthly issues, daily email updates, and access to their investment and lifestyle guides.

You might decide to cancel for several reasons: the content no longer matches your travel plans, you found similar resources elsewhere, or you simply want to stop automatic renewals. Whatever your reason, Stopee is here to guide you through the cancellation process step by step, so you avoid delays, lost proof of cancellation, and unexpected charges.

Common reasons canadians cancel international living

Many subscribers cancel after their initial annual term because the material doesn't align with their destination, or they've gathered enough information to move forward independently. Others discover that daily emails feel excessive or that the renewal price increased. Some find competing publications offer better value. Understanding your own reason helps you decide whether to cancel completely or pause for a season.

How stopee helps you cancel with confidence

At Stopee, we've guided thousands of Canadian subscribers through subscription cancellations. We know International Living's preferred contact methods, the proof of cancellation you'll need, and the refund rules that apply in your province. This guide gives you the exact steps, insider warnings, and your consumer rights under Canadian law.

Your consumer rights when cancelling in canada

Canadian consumer protection law protects your right to cancel recurring subscriptions and dispute unauthorized charges.

What the consumer protection act says about cancellations

Under the federal Consumer Protection Act and equivalent provincial laws (such as Ontario's Consumer Protection Act and British Columbia's Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act), you have the right to:

• Receive clear, upfront disclosure of recurring charges and cancellation terms before you subscribe
• Cancel a subscription and stop automatic renewals without penalty or hidden fees
• Dispute a charge with your bank or credit card company if you believe it was unauthorized or billed in error
• Complain to your provincial consumer protection office if the company refuses to honour your cancellation

Most importantly, you do not need International Living's permission to cancel; you have the unilateral right to withdraw from the subscription at any time. Once you formally notify them, automatic renewals must stop.

Your recourse if international living refuses to cancel or refund

If International Living ignores your cancellation request or continues billing you after you've cancelled, you can:

• Dispute the charge with your credit card company or bank using the chargeback process
• File a complaint with your provincial consumer protection authority (e.g., Ontario's Consumer Protection Bureau, or your local equivalent)
• Contact the federal Competition Bureau if you suspect deceptive marketing or unfair business practices

Stopee recommends keeping all cancellation confirmations and communication records so you have evidence if you need to escalate.

Methods to cancel international living

International Living offers three cancellation channels: registered mail, email, and phone. Each has different strengths depending on whether you prioritize proof of receipt or speed.

Why registered mail is the safest option

Registered mail (raccomandata A/R in Italian, but available through Canada Post as registered mail with return receipt) provides documented proof that International Living received your cancellation request. If a dispute arises later, you hold physical evidence. This method takes 1-2 weeks internationally but eliminates any "we didn't get it" defence.

Email and phone: faster but riskier

Email and phone are quicker (24-48 hours for a response) but lack built-in proof unless the company sends written confirmation. Many subscribers use these methods first for speed, then follow up with registered mail if they don't receive written confirmation within 7 days. Stopee advises combining methods: call or email first, and if you don't get a reply within one week, send registered mail as backup.

Step-by-step: how to cancel international living

Follow these steps in order, starting with the method that fits your timeline and risk tolerance.

Before you start: gather your account information

Have these details ready before you contact International Living:

• Full name as it appears on the account
• Email address associated with your subscription
• Membership or order number (check your confirmation email or login)
• Billing address
• Last four digits of the payment card or billing method
• Date of your last automatic renewal charge (if applicable)

This information speeds up the process and prevents International Living from delaying your cancellation while they "look up" your account.

Option 1: cancel by registered mail (recommended for proof)

1. Write a formal cancellation letter on plain paper or in an email draft (you'll paste it into the letter)
   • Start with your name, address, and the date
   • State clearly: "I request immediate cancellation of my International Living subscription effective today."
   • Include your membership/order number and the email address tied to your account
   • If you were recently auto-renewed and want a refund, add: "I was automatically renewed on [date]. I request a refund of CAD $[amount] for this unwanted charge."
   • Sign the letter
2. Visit your local Canada Post office or use their online service to send the letter as registered mail with return receipt (service code: registered mail)
   • This costs approximately CAD $15-$20 and includes tracking and confirmation of delivery
3. Address the envelope to:
   • International Living Publishing Limited
     Woodlock House
     Carrick Road
     Portlaw, Co. Waterford
     X91 K7HT
     Ireland
4. Keep your Canada Post receipt and tracking number
   • Save the return receipt once it arrives (usually 10-14 business days)
   • Take a photo of the envelope, letter, and receipt for your records
5. Follow up after 14 days
   • If you haven't received written confirmation by email or post within 14 days of the receipt date, contact International Living by email or phone (see Option 2) and reference your registered mail tracking number

Pro tip: Registered mail is the gold standard if you suspect International Living will dispute whether they received your request. International carriers and postal services are legally required to maintain delivery records.

Option 2: cancel by email (fastest, but less proof)

1. Compose an email to cancel@internationalliving.com with the subject line: "Subscription Cancellation Request - [Your Name]"
2. Include in the body:
   • Your full name and the email address on your account
   • Your membership or order number
   • "I request immediate cancellation of my International Living subscription, effective today."
   • If requesting a refund: "I was auto-renewed on [date] and request a refund of the full subscription amount."
   • Sign off professionally
3. Attach screenshots of:
   • Your account page (logged in) showing your subscription status
   • Your most recent receipt or confirmation email
   • Any renewal charge showing on your credit card or bank statement (if applicable)
4. Send the email and wait for a reply
   • International Living typically responds within 24-48 hours
   • They should send a confirmation email stating your cancellation is effective and when access will end
5. Save the entire email chain, including headers
   • Forward it to yourself as a backup or take a screenshot
   • Store it in a dedicated folder for subscription records
6. If you don't receive confirmation within 7 days, follow up with a phone call or send registered mail

Warning: Email alone doesn't guarantee delivery proof. If you don't hear back within a week, escalate to phone or registered mail.

Option 3: cancel by phone (immediate, but requires a record)

1. Call International Living's toll-free number: 1-800-681-2402
   • This number serves US and Canadian customers
   • Call during business hours (typically 9 AM-5 PM Eastern Time, Monday-Friday)
2. Have your account information ready (name, email, membership number, last four digits of payment card)
3. When connected to a representative:
   • State clearly: "I want to cancel my International Living subscription immediately."
   • Do not explain why; keep it brief
   • Ask: "Can you confirm the cancellation is effective today and no more charges will occur?"
   • If requesting a refund: "I was auto-renewed on [date]. I request a full refund of that charge."
4. Record the representative's name, date, time, and a summary of what they said
   • You can say, "For my records, can you provide your name and employee ID?" Most companies will oblige
   • Note: Always check your local laws on recording calls; some provinces require two-party consent, so note-taking is safer than recording
5. Ask the representative to send a cancellation confirmation email to your address
   • Say: "Please email me a cancellation confirmation to [your email] so I have written proof."
6. After the call, send a follow-up email to cancel@internationalliving.com
   • Subject: "Confirmation of Phone Cancellation - [Date and Rep Name]"
   • Body: "I spoke with [representative name] at [time] on [date] and requested cancellation of my subscription, effective immediately. Please confirm receipt of this email and the cancellation status."
7. Save the email confirmation and the representative's details

Pro tip: Always follow a phone call with email. This creates a written trail and gives the company a second chance to confirm in writing.

Pricing and what you're cancelling

Understanding what you're paying for helps clarify what you'll lose access to and whether a refund applies.

International living subscription costs in canada

Prices vary depending on promotional offers at the time of purchase. Most subscribers pay the full annual rate on renewal unless they actively switch to a lower-tier offer before their term ends.

When your access ends after cancellation

After you cancel, you retain access to all member content until the end of your paid billing period. For example, if you were charged on January 15 for a 12-month subscription and you cancel on March 1, your access continues until January 14 of the following year. You simply stop receiving new issues or updates after your cancellation date, depending on International Living's policy.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation is not instantaneous; several things occur in sequence, and you should monitor them.

Immediate changes after cancellation

• Automatic renewal is deactivated on your account
• Your membership status changes to "cancelled" or "inactive" in their system
• Access to subscriber-only content either ends immediately or at the end of your paid period (depending on the company's policy)

International Living typically allows you to keep access until the end of your paid term, even after cancellation. Check your cancellation confirmation email to see the exact access end date.

Checking your account after cancellation

Log into your International Living account 2-3 days after you cancel and verify:

• Your subscription status shows as "cancelled" or "inactive"
• No new renewal date appears on your account dashboard
• Your payment method is no longer listed (or marked as inactive)

If your account still shows an active subscription after 3 days, contact International Living immediately by email and reference your cancellation confirmation number.

Monitoring your credit card or bank statement

After cancellation, watch your bank and credit card statements for 30-60 days. Warning: Some companies process automatic renewals before the cancellation takes full effect in their system, especially around billing cycle transitions. If an unexpected charge appears, contact your bank immediately and file a dispute.

Refund eligibility and how to request one

Refunds are not automatic, but many Canadian subscribers receive them for recent unwanted renewals if they act quickly.

When international living may refund your subscription

International Living's refund policy typically allows:

• Full refunds within 30 days of an automatic renewal you didn't authorize or didn't want
• Partial refunds if you've used the service for only a few weeks and request cancellation early
• No refund if you've used the service for more than 60 days of your billing period

These policies vary, so ask explicitly in your cancellation request: "If I'm eligible for a refund, please process it to my original payment method."

How to request a refund

Include a refund request in your initial cancellation message (email, phone, or registered mail). Be specific:

• "I was automatically renewed on [date] for CAD $[amount]. I request a full refund of this charge because [I did not authorize this / I changed my mind within 30 days / I cancelled before significant usage]."
• Attach proof of the charge (credit card statement screenshot)
• Allow 7-14 days for processing; refunds typically appear as credits on your original card within 5-10 business days after approval

Stopee advises requesting a refund at the same time you cancel; don't assume you're ineligible without asking.

If international living denies your refund request

If the company refuses to refund a charge you believe was unauthorized or made in error:

1. Contact your credit card company or bank and initiate a chargeback or dispute
   • Explain that you cancelled before incurring significant usage, or that the renewal was unauthorized
   • Provide your cancellation confirmation email and the charge date
2. Complaint to your provincial consumer protection office
   • Ontario: Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
   • British Columbia: Consumer Protection BC
   • Alberta: Fair Trading Act office
   • Other provinces have equivalent bodies
3. The chargeback process typically takes 30-60 days but often succeeds if you have written proof of cancellation

Common mistakes to avoid when cancelling

Many subscribers make cancellation harder than it needs to be-here are the pitfalls Stopee sees most often.

Relying only on email without follow-up

It's frustrating when an email disappears into silence, and you're left wondering if the company received it. Always follow up within 7 days if you don't get a reply. Stopee recommends sending a second email with "FOLLOW-UP" in the subject line, or switching to phone or registered mail.

Not saving proof of cancellation

If you cancel by phone and don't request a confirmation email, you have no written proof that the company agreed to cancel. This becomes a problem if they bill you again and deny they received your request. Always ask for written confirmation, and save everything.

Cancelling close to your billing date

If your renewal is due in 2 days and you cancel today, the system may still process the renewal before the cancellation takes effect. Cancel at least 10-14 days before your renewal date to be safe. Check your account to see your exact renewal date, and cancel well in advance.

Assuming automatic renewal is off by default

Many subscribers think they cancelled when they actually just paused or skipped a renewal. Log in to your account after cancellation to confirm that your subscription shows as "cancelled" and no renewal date appears. Stopee has seen subscribers surprised by charges months later because they confused "pause" with "cancel."

Not disputing unauthorized charges immediately

If International Living charges you after you cancelled, don't wait. Contact your bank or credit card company within 30 days of the charge; most chargeback windows close after 60 days, and you'll lose your recourse.

Cancellation checklist

Use this checklist to stay organized and ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

• ☐ Gather account details: name, email, membership/order number, billing address, last 4 digits of payment card
• ☐ Check your renewal date and decide which cancellation method to use
• ☐ Send your first cancellation request (email, phone, or registered mail)
• ☐ Record the date, time, and representative name (if phone)
• ☐ Request written confirmation by email
• ☐ Save all confirmations, emails, and receipts in a dedicated folder
• ☐ If using registered mail, save the return receipt and tracking number
• ☐ Follow up if you don't receive confirmation within 7 days
• ☐ Log in to your account 2-3 days later and verify the subscription shows as cancelled
• ☐ Monitor your credit card or bank statement for 30-60 days for unexpected charges
• ☐ If a charge appears after cancellation, dispute it with your bank within 30 days

Stopee's final guidance and contact information

Cancelling International Living is straightforward once you know the right method and your consumer rights. Stopee has helped thousands of Canadian subscribers cancel unwanted subscriptions confidently and keep their money. Use registered mail if you need ironclad proof, email or phone for speed, and always save written confirmation.

Where to send your cancellation

Send your registered mail cancellation letter to:

International Living Publishing Limited
Woodlock House
Carrick Road
Portlaw, Co. Waterford
X91 K7HT
Ireland

For email, use: cancel@internationalliving.com

For phone: 1-800-681-2402 (toll-free from Canada)

If you need help or have a dispute

If International Living ignores your cancellation or refuses to refund an unwanted charge, Stopee recommends:

• Filing a chargeback with your credit card company or bank
• Reporting the company to your provincial consumer protection office
• Contacting the federal Competition Bureau if you suspect deceptive practices

Stopee remains your ally throughout the cancellation journey. Keep this guide handy, follow the step-by-step instructions, and you'll have International Living cancelled and any future charges stopped. For more cancellation guides and consumer advice, visit Stopee.com-where Stopee has built a library of resources to help you take control of your subscriptions and protect your wallet.