Late Arrival and Deferral Policies - Office of Global Services

Northeastern University - Canadian Campuses

We recognize that incoming students may experience extenuating circumstances outside of their control that may delay their arrival by a few days. If you find out that you are unable to arrive for the first day of classes, you must submit a late arrival request, if eligible, through the Application portal.

How to Request a Late Arrival

Eligibility Requirements

Late arrival letters are only issued to students who are unable to arrive on or before the program start date but who have received official approval for their study permit and/or travel document to travel and attend classes on-ground by January 23rd, 2026.

For students who are outside of Canada, they are not eligible for late arrival unless they can show proof of

Study permit application approval letter (Letter of Introduction), and

Valid travel document (TRV or eTA), and

A confirmed arrival date no later than January 23rd, 2026 (Flight booking confirmation)

Students who are physically inside Canada are not eligible for late arrival unless they have received:

Study permit extension application approval letter, or

Study permit application approval letter (Letter of Introduction)

To be considered for a late arrival, the request must have been submitted to Northeastern University by January 20th, 2026 through the Application portal.

You may complete a late arrival request through your Application portal under ‘Submit Request’:

Then choose “I have a late arrival request” from the dropdown:

Please note that receiving approval for a late arrival does not guarantee you will be allowed to enter Canada or start your program as the final determination to be permitted to enter Canada and to be issued a study permit is done by IRCC and CBSA on arrival to Canada.

International students will need to complete the immigration clearance process with OGS Canada and show they have the proper authorization and the required health insurance to study in Canada.

Late Arrival Approval

If your late arrival request is approved, you will be able to download the late arrival letter support letter directly from your application portal. Please note that the latest day you may be approved to arrive late for the Winter/Spring 2026 term is January 23rd, 2026. Arrival after this date cannot be approved or accommodated.

Deferring Admission

If you are not able to arrive before January 23rd, 2026, you are not eligible for late arrival and you are advised to defer your admission to the next available term. Please select [I want to defer my admission] above and submit this form to request a deferral of admission to your college.

Please note that students who do not obtain approval for a late arrival, and those who are not able to be on campus by January 23rd, 2026, will not be allowed to start their program and may need to return to their home country in order to maintain the conditions of their study permit.

Students will be responsible for any course material they miss due to late arrival.