It happens more often than people think. You’ve been offered admission to study abroad, you got your visa, your bags are packed… and then something comes up. Maybe your sponsor wasn’t ready. Maybe the school changed the start date. Maybe you needed more time.
Now your admission has been deferred to the next intake. The school says it’s okay—but what about your visa?
Here’s the truth: just because your visa is still “valid” on paper doesn’t mean you can travel with it after a deferral.
Every student visa is tied to a specific start date, and immigration officers check if you’re entering within that timeline. If your new start date is months later than what’s on your original documents, showing up at the airport with the old visa could get you turned back—or even blacklisted.
In countries like the UK, deferring your course means your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) becomes invalid. You will need to get a new CAS and reapply for a fresh visa, even if the old one still has months left. Travelling with the outdated visa is a direct violation of the rules.
In Canada, things are slightly more flexible. If your new program start date is within the duration of your current study permit and your school agrees, you might not need to reapply. But if you defer by more than a few months, or if your biometrics or medicals have expired, immigration may require you to submit an updated application.
Australia works similarly to the UK. Once your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is updated, you must link it to a new visa. The old visa becomes invalid even if it hasn’t expired yet.
In the United States, the situation depends on your SEVIS record. If your school updates your SEVIS ID for the new intake and keeps it active, you may still be able to use your visa. But if your SEVIS ID changes completely, you’ll need to reapply—even if your F-1 visa stamp looks valid in your passport.
The most important rule across the board? Never assume your old visa will still work after deferral. Immigration officers won’t let you enter with documents that don’t match your current course dates.
Always confirm with your school, your immigration consultant, or the embassy before you travel. It’s much better to reapply than to get refused at the airport or detained at the border.
At Loyalty Travels and Logistics Ltd, we help students re-strategize their travel plans after deferral. We guide you through new visa applications, advise on documentation updates, and ensure you’re still on track to begin your program confidently—even if plans change.
Deferred doesn’t mean denied. But it does mean you need to follow the right steps. Let us help you take them.
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