Historical note: this is a 2022 (COVID-era) thread; the flexibility around starting classes online from abroad was a pandemic-period accommodation. Confirm current rules with your college and IRCC.
A student whose study permit was still pending near the program start date asked whether travelling after orientation or the start date is possible. Members' guidance:
- Colleges often allow a late-arrival window. Members reported colleges giving roughly 2–3 weeks' relaxation to arrive in Canada, during which you could attend classes online from home. This varies by college — email your admissions office and get the window in writing.
- Enrolment matters more than the travel date. You can complete enrolment formalities from your home country. If you miss some sessions, you're expected to catch up on your own.
- But don't enrol before your visa decision. One member cautioned against enrolling without the visa in hand — if the application is refused, you're left chasing a refund for a semester you can't attend. Check the college's refund policy for visa refusals before paying beyond what the application requires.
- Watch the PGWP implication. The key warning: time spent studying online from outside Canada may not count toward your Post-Graduation Work Permit. A few missed weeks handled online was considered acceptable; doing an entire semester remotely was not advised.
Bottom line: a short delay past the start date is usually survivable if your college allows it, but keep the online portion brief and confirm both the late-arrival window and the refund policy before committing money.