If your study permit is delayed for your intended intake, withdrawing your admission for a refund and reapplying to a different college and course for a later intake carries both a financial and an immigration-history risk.
What group members advised:- Consider simply waiting it out first, especially during periods when IRCC is processing applications faster than usual — switching schools/courses isn't the only option if the delay resolves on its own (note: processing speed varies significantly by period, so check current IRCC processing times rather than relying on this alone).
- Factor in the real financial cost of switching — even with a 'full' refund from the college, members flagged a typical net loss of around ₹90,000 in this kind of switch, from non-refundable fees, currency conversion, or administrative charges.
- Be aware that applying to a different course after an initial application (even one still pending, not refused) can itself raise questions for the visa officer about consistency of your study plan — group members confirmed this is a real concern, not just a theoretical one.
Given both the financial loss and the potential scrutiny on your study plan's consistency, it's worth getting a second opinion (from a regulated consultant) before withdrawing an admission solely because of processing delays.