What Happens if You Do Not Receive a Study Permit Decision Before Your Program Starts?

A study program deferral means moving your admission from your current start date to a later intake.

For example, a student admitted for September may move to a January intake if they are unable to begin their program as planned.

If the school approves the deferral, it will usually issue an updated Letter of Acceptance, also called an LOA, showing the new program start date.

Each school sets its own deferral policies, deadlines, and available intake dates. A deferral changes when you plan to begin your studies. It does not mean your study permit application has been withdrawn or refused.

A deferral may be needed when the expected study permit processing timeline extends beyond the date a student is permitted to begin their program.

The first day of classes is not always the final date a student can arrive. Some schools permit late arrival, while others require students to move to another intake if they cannot begin by a set deadline.

Government processing times are estimates rather than guarantees. They can vary based on application volume, whether an application is complete, how easily information can be verified, and whether more information is requested.

If your application has not been submitted yet

Before submission, BorderPass compares the expected government processing time with the program start date shown on your Letter of Acceptance.

If the expected timeline may extend beyond that date, BorderPass warns you inside your account. The guidance shown depends on how the estimated processing period compares with your program timeline.

When the overlap is limited, the current LOA may still be suitable for submission, depending on the school’s policies and deadlines.

When the expected decision date falls further beyond the program start date, BorderPass may recommend obtaining a deferred LOA before the application is submitted.

This gives students earlier visibility into a possible timing issue and helps them understand whether their current intake may remain realistic.

"Always apply before your status expires. It gives you more control," says Varinder Johal, Head of Legal at BorderPass.

If your application has been submitted

A student’s situation can change while their study permit application is being processed. The program start date may move closer while the application is still awaiting a decision. BorderPass continues comparing the expected decision timeline with the date shown on the student’s LOA. If the start date is approaching and no decision has been received, the student is notified that a deferral may need to be considered. BorderPass then supports the student through the deferral process inside their account. This may include confirming the updated program information, adding a new Letter of Acceptance, and providing the changed study details to the government. If an eligible updated LOA is already stored in the student’s account, BorderPass recognizes the document so completed parts of the process do not need to be repeated.

Moving the same program to a later intake is different from changing what the student plans to study.

A change may involve the same program with a later start date, a similar program, or an unrelated program.

When the updated LOA shows a different program, the new study plans may not match the information included in the original application. The type of change can affect how the updated information should be presented to the government.

BorderPass asks questions about the program change and supports the preparation of an explanation based on the information provided by the student.

A major change to an unrelated program may carry different risks than a change in start date alone. Depending on the circumstances, updating the existing application may not be the most appropriate option. BorderPass helps identify which path may be appropriate based on the program change and the student’s application stage.