Will you get a flight refund if you withdraw your SDS study permit application before a decision, rather than being refused?

Airline ticket refunds and your visa outcome are two completely separate things — whether you get a refund depends on the airline's cancellation policy, not on whether your visa was refused or you withdrew the application yourself.

What group members advised:

1. Flight charges have no connection to your visa decision. Some airlines offer refund policies specifically tied to visa refusal, but voluntarily withdrawing your application is treated differently by the airline — check your specific fare's cancellation rules rather than assuming visa-refusal refund policies will apply.


2. You can cancel your flight at any time regardless of your visa decision status, but expect a cancellation fee. One member reported paying roughly 8,000 INR plus GST in cancellation charges when they cancelled their own booking.


3. Check your airline's specific fare conditions (refundable vs. non-refundable, visa-refusal refund clauses) before assuming any refund is automatic.

Because airline refund policies vary by fare type and change over time, confirm the current cancellation terms directly with the airline or travel agent before withdrawing your application.