Defer Your Admission

We understand that unexpected circumstances can sometimes impact your plans to begin your studies. If this happens, don’t worry—you may be eligible to defer your admission to the following term. This process is known as a “deferral of admission.”  

What Is a Deferral? 

A deferral allows you to delay the start of your studies to the next available term. For example, if you were originally scheduled to begin in September (Fall term), you may defer your admission to January (Winter term). 

Who Can Apply for a Deferral? 

Only students who have accepted their admission offer to FDU Vancouver by paying the tuition deposit and currently hold a Letter of Acceptance (LOA) are eligible to apply for a deferral once the deferral period begins. 

When Can You Apply for a Deferral? 

Deferral requests are only accepted during the time frame outlined in the table below. If you have not registered for classes, you will receive an email with detailed instructions once the deferral period begins for your term. 

Please note that the Master of Hospitality Management Studies (MHMS) program is not offered during the Summer term. Your admission will be deferred to the Fall term. 

How to Submit Your Deferral Request? 

• Deferral requests must be submitted through your application account. The online deferral form will become available in your account once the submission period for your term begins. Please contact your agent for assistance if you don’t have access to your application’s account.  

•  If your study permit application is denied before the submission period begins, and you have not previously deferred, you may submit an early deferral request via email. Please include your deferral request along with your study permit rejection letter and send it to vancouver-admissions@fdu.edu. 

What Is Deferral Eligibility? 

Who is eligible for the First Deferral? 

Students who currently hold a Letter of Acceptance (LOA), and have NOT previously deferred, may be eligible for a one-time unconditional deferral if they meet one of the following conditions: 

• You have not submitted a study permit application. 
• Your study permit application is currently in process. 
• Your study permit application was approved, but you are unable to attend your classes, and you have not arrived in Canada to receive the physical study permit. 
• You have been admitted to our graduate program but received a study permit refusal.

If you have a LOA and fall into the situation below, please contact us at vancouver-admissions@fdu.edu to consult about your first deferral: 

• You have been admitted to our Undergraduate ‘s program but received a study permit refusal.  

Note: Students admitted to undergraduate programs are not guaranteed approval for deferral due to the limited availability of the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). 

Who is eligible for Extended Deferral?

Students who have previously deferred may be eligible for extended deferral if their study permit application is still in process. To support this request, students must provide a screenshot or document from the IRCC Study Permit Application Status Tracker showing the current status of their application. 

If you have previously deferred but are currently facing any of the exceptional circumstances listed below, please contact us at vancouver-admissions@fdu.edu to discuss the possibility of an extended deferral:  

• Your study permit application was approved less than 30 days before the expiry date on your Letter of Acceptance (LOA), but you are unable to attend your classes and have not yet arrived in Canada to receive the physical study permit.  
• Medical Emergency 
• Mandatory Military Service 

Please refer to the Deferral Support Document Guide for details. 

What to expect after a Deferral Decision? 

• If your deferral request is approved, an updated Letter of Acceptance (LOA) will be issued within 30 days. You will receive a notification via email once the LOA is available in your application portal.  

• If you are not eligible to defer, or if your deferral request is denied but you still wish to study at FDU Vancouver, you will need to submit a reapplication for admission. As part of the new application process, a new tuition deposit will be required in order to receive a new Letter of Acceptance. 
• If your deferral is denied due to a study permit refusal, please visit our refund page to review your eligibility. 

Judicial Review 

If you plan to or are currently undergoing a Judicial Review application with IRCC, please inform FDU Vancouver.  

• First-Time Deferral: 
  If you have not previously deferred, and are currently involved in a Judicial Review process, FDU Vancouver will hold the processing of your deferral request until a decision is made. Students must notify FDU Vancouver of the outcome within 45 days of receiving the Judicial Review decision. 
  • If your Judicial Review is successful, you will be issued a new Letter of Acceptance for the next available term. 
  • If your Judicial Review application is dismissed, you may apply to be considered for a refund. 

Note: Students admitted to Undergraduate programs are not guaranteed approval for a deferral due to the limited availability of the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). 

• Not First-Time Deferral:
  If you have already deferred and are currently undergoing a Judicial Review: 
  • You will need to submit a reapplication for an open intake once a decision for your Judicial Review is available.  
  • If you choose to reapply before receiving the outcome of the Judicial Review, your new application will be placed on hold until the review process is complete. 

Important Additional Information 

• Once a deferral is approved and a new Letter of Acceptance is issued, you must have a study permit rejection letter corresponding to the most recent Letter of Acceptance issued to be considered for any tuition deposit refund. 
• If you receive a study permit rejection while waiting for the deferral Letter of Acceptance, you must inform the Admissions office immediately. Once the deferred Letter of Acceptance is issued, you will only be considered for a tuition deposit refund if you can show a study permit rejection letter corresponding to the most recent Letter of Acceptance.