--- title: Start a Membership after a delay description: "The Subscription Delay module makes a new Membership become active a set number of hours or days after it's assigned, instead of right away. Renewals aren't delayed." url: "https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/subscription-delay/" updated: "2026-10-18" category: Memberships --- # Start a Membership after a delay 3 minBeginnerUltimate Membership Pro 14.2+ · Module In Ultimate Membership Pro, the Subscription Delay module makes a new Membership start a set time after it's assigned, instead of immediately. Use it when access should open later, for example when [a workshop's materials](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/use-cases/online-courses/) are released two days after booking. This guide switches the module on and sets a delay for one Membership. Before you start - Your license is active; modules need it. See [Find and activate your license key](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/where-to-find-your-license-key/). ## Switch on the module 1. Go to Ultimate Membership Pro*›*Modules and open **Subscription Delay** (in Memberships & Subscriptions). 2. Switch on **Activate/Hold Subscription Delay** and click Save Changes. [![Subscription Delay box with the Activate/Hold switch on and the note that it applies to first-time assignments only](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ump-subscription-delay-01-module.png)](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ump-subscription-delay-01-module.png) The module switch. ## Set the delay per Membership [![Delay Time box listing every Membership with a number field and an Hours or Days select; Weekend Workshop is set to 2 Days](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ump-subscription-delay-02-delay-time.png)](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ump-subscription-delay-02-delay-time.png) Weekend Workshop starts 2 days after it's assigned. Delay Time A number and a unit, Hours or Days, next to each Membership. Leave it empty for Memberships that should start at once. Default: **Empty (no delay)** Click Save Changes. ## How the delay works First assignments only The delay applies when a member gets the Membership for the first time. Renewals, and buying the same Membership again, aren't delayed. No access until the start Until the delay is over the member has no access through this Membership, and no [Membership card](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/membership-card/) for it. Date Range Memberships Memberships with fixed start and end dates aren't delayed; they start on their own date. The delay counts toward the access period - The end date is still counted from when the Membership is assigned. A 30-day Membership with a 2-day delay gives 28 days of access. Add the delay to the Membership's length if members should get the full period. ## Example: workshop replays that open after booking **Weekend Workshop**Members book now; access to the workshop area opens 2 days later. **Access Type** : Limited Time, 30 Days **Delay Time** : 2 Days **Access** : From day 3 to day 30 ## Troubleshooting A member bought the Membership but has no access If the Membership has a delay, access starts when the delay ends. Check the start date on the member's [Manage Plans screen](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/how-to-change-member-status/). The delay didn't apply to a renewal That's expected: the module only delays first-time assignments. Can I delay a Membership by hours in Ultimate Membership Pro? Yes. In the Subscription Delay module, enter the number next to the Membership and choose Hours instead of Days. ## What's next [**Membership statuses explained**How a Membership's status changes.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/levels-colors-explanation/)[**How renewals, cancellations and expiry work**The rest of the life cycle.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/how-renewals-cancellations-and-expiry-work/)[**Create your first Membership**Set the Membership's length.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/step-2-create-levelssubscriptions/)[**Add a member and assign a Membership**Assign plans by hand.](https://ultimatemembershippro.com/docs/add-a-member-and-assign-a-membership/)