A method and apparatus are described for determining whether to admit a user equipment (UE) in response to an indicated admission delay. By using a random access procedure, a radio access network (RAN) may receive a radio resource control (RRC) connection request message from the UE that includes an establishment cause indicating the admission delay of the UE. The determination may be based on loading and not on delay. The UE may be in an idle state prior to the RAN receiving the RRC connection request message.