If your study permit application is still pending as your intake date approaches, the group's recommended approach was:
- Contact your college first to find out their deferment deadline — don't assume you're out of options just because a decision hasn't come through yet.
- Ask your college two specific things: (a) the last date by which you can defer without losing your seat/deposit, and (b) whether they're offering a later intake (e.g., the next one after May, such as September) that you could defer into if needed.
- Wait until closer to the deferment deadline before deciding. Several members suggested giving it a few more days/weeks, since a decision could still arrive — only defer once you're close to the college's cutoff and still without a result.
Every college has its own deferment policy and deadlines, so get that information directly from your college's international office rather than assuming a generic timeline applies.