Canadian Immigration Glossary
Academic Program
A study program at an educational institution.
Accompanying Family Member
Any family member who accompanies the principal applicant in their application to immigrate to Canada.
Affidavit
A document that is signed after taking an oath that the information entered by a person is in the presence of another authorized person.
Applicant
An individual applying for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada (IRCC) under any immigration program submits an application.
Application package
A package that includes all the information, forms and supporting documents needed to apply for immigration.
Approved in Law / Approval in Law (AIP) or (Approved in Principle / Approval in Principle (AIP))
An application for permanent residence in Canada is approved by law, which the IRCC sends a letter stating that the applicant has met the requirements for permanent residence, but the applicant has not yet undergone medical, security and background checks.
Arranged employment agreement
When you have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer.
Asylum
Formal protection afforded to foreign nationals for fear of persecution and torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
Authorized representative
Authorized representative Only reputable Canadian attorneys and immigration advisers are allowed to present your immigration file.
Background Check
The way immigration officials verify immigrants' medical, criminal, and security records to ensure they are accepted in Canada.
Business Class
Immigration to Canada, which includes investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people.
CanadianCitizen
A person who is a Canadian citizen. This can happen in two ways:
- Being Canadian from birth
- Apply for and Receive Canadian Citizenship (Natural Canadian Citizen)
Canadian Language Benchmarks or(CLB)
A Canadian standard used to measure the proficiency of immigration applicants in English.
Canadian Experience Classor(CEC)
A batch of immigration to Canada for experienced applicants in Canada as international students or foreign workers.
Case Processing Center (CPC) or (Case Processing Center)
An office in Canada that processes immigration and citizenship programs. These offices are not open to the public.
Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program or(CELPIP)
One of the approved federal language tests to demonstrate English language proficiency.
Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) or (Certificat d’acceptation du Québec)
A certificate that temporary workers and foreign students must apply for before coming to Quebec to work or study.
CentralizedIntake Office
An office in Sydney, Nova Scotia that handles applications from several immigration programs. This office conducts additional checks before submitting applications to the appropriate visa office for further processing.
Certified Translations
Translate a document into English or French. Must be done by a translator who is officially licensed in their country.
Quebec Certificate of Selection (CSQ) or (Certificat de sélection du Québec)
Document that the permanent resident applicant must apply for before entering any of Quebec’s immigration programs.
China Transit Program
In certain cases, Chinese people are allowed to fly through Canada or the United States without a Canadian visa.
Client Identification Number
Also known as Customer Identification Number (UCI #). Every Canadian Immigration, Asylum and Citizenship (IRCC) applicant is given a UCI number. This number can be found in any official document issued by the IRCC.
College
It is a level of education in Canada. College is after high school and is usually a one-, two-, or three-year degree program.
Common-law partner
A person who has lived in a marital relationship with another person for at least one year.
Comprehensive Ranking System(CRS) or (Comprehensive Ranking System)
It is a points-based system used to rank immigrant candidates against each other. A comprehensive ranking system is used to evaluate candidates in all three programs on Express Entry.
Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) or (Confirmation of Permanent Residence)
If the personal permanent residence application is approved, a permanent residence permit will be issued to them. This will be required for their official arrival in Canada.
Conjugal partner
A person outside of Canada who has been in a committed and romantic relationship for at least a year, but has not been able to live with his or her partner.
Consulate
Canadian government office located in a country other than Canada
Conviction
When a person is convicted by a court.
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Convention Refugee
A person cannot return to his or her home country or country of residence due to a legitimate fear of persecution because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion.
Country of Citizenship
A country of which a person is a citizen. An individual may be a citizen of several countries.
Co-op /Internship Work Permit
International students wishing to participate in a cooperative or internship in Canada as part of a training program must apply for a work permit and study permit.
Country of Nationality
The country of which a person is a citizen.
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Criminal inadmissibility
When a person is not allowed to enter Canada because of a crime they have been convicted of.
Criminal rehabilitation
An application process that allows a person who has committed a crime or been convicted to enter Canada.
Deemed Rehabilitation
A person convicted of a crime outside of Canada may be considered corrected after 5 or 10 years, unless the conviction is for a serious crime.
Departure Order
Exclusion order issued by the Canadian Border Services Agency or the Immigration and Refugee Board. These orders require the person to leave Canada within 30 days or risk deportation.
Dependent
A child who is dependent on his or her parents for financial and other assistance. Children are under the age of 22 and do not have a customary spouse or partner.
Deportation Order
Exclusion order issued by the Canadian Border Services Agency or the Immigration and Refugee Board.
Dedicated Learning Institution (DLI) or (Designated Learning Institution)
A school in Canada where a student must be admitted before obtaining a study permit. All elementary and high schools in Canada are private, but only some high schools in Canada are DLIs.
Divorced
Legal termination of marriage as issued by the court.
Dual or Multiple Citizenship
When a person is a citizen of more than one country. Not all countries allow dual citizenship
Economic Class
A group of immigrants to Canada for candidates selected for their skills and abilities to participate in the Canadian economy.
Educational Credentials Assessment (ECA)
Compares assessments obtained at universities outside of Canada with their Canadian equivalents for immigration purposes.
Elementary School
Level of study in Canada. Elementary schools teach children who usually start between the ages of 4 and 6.
Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) or (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Citizens of visa-free countries are required to fly to Canada.
Embassy
The office of the Government of Canada in the capital of a country other than the Commonwealth of Independent States. In a country of common interest, these offices are known as the High Commission.
Electronic Medicine (eMedical)
It is an online tool used by IRCC-certified physicians to send the results of the Immigration Medical Test (IME) to the IRCC.
Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) or (Employment and Social Development Canada)
Is one of the federal government agencies of Canada. The agency works with the Canadian Immigration, Asylum and Citizenship (IRCC) to determine many common issues related to employment and work permits.
Employer-Specific Work Permit
It is a work permit that allows an outsider to work only for a specific employer and only in one place.
Entrepreneur
An immigrant who has been accepted into Canada because of work experience and the net worth of his or her personal assets.
Excessive demand
When a person’s current medical condition can create a demand for health or social services that is likely to cost more for treatment than the average Canadian caregiver.
Express Entry
Is an electronic system used to manage applications for three applications: Federal Skilled Workforce, Canada’s experienced group and federal occupations.
Family Class
Immigration to Canada, which includes family members sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
Family Members
The closest relatives of a person who is defined according to the parameters of a particular immigration program. These relatives include a customary spouse or partner, dependent children, and dependent children.
Federal Skilled Worker(FSW) or (Federal Skilled Worker)
It is an economic immigration program that is implemented through Express Entry. This program targets a professional and skilled workforce.
Foreign National
A person who does not have Canadian citizenship or permanent residence in Canada.
Foreign Student
Is a foreign national with a temporary residence permit in Canada to complete a study program.
Foreign Worker
Is a foreign national authorized to work temporarily in Canada
Equivalent to Full-Time Job Equivalent
1,560 hours of paid work per year
Full-Time Study
Study program with a minimum of (15 hours) of training in the weeks of the academic year.
Full-Time Work
Work at least 30 hours per week.
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) or (General Agreement on Trade in Services)
An international professional agreement that facilitates the entry of some foreign workers into Canada.
Given Name
The names (s) given are the names given to a person at birth and include their first and last name and middle name.
Government-Assisted Refugee
A person who is outside of Canada and has been identified as a Convention Refugee and is receiving financial or other assistance from the Government of Canada or the Province of Quebec.
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Guarantor
Someone who can verify the identity and other information.
Health Card
It is a document that gives a person access to Canadian health care in the provinces or territories of Canada.
Health Insurance
It is a provincial or territorial program that pays for basic health services. Or purchased private health insurance that pays for health care.
High Commission
Office of the Government of Canada located in the capital of a Commonwealth of Independent States. The same function of the embassy.
Humanitarian and Compassionate Application
A person who is not eligible for other immigration programs may be able to apply for permanent residency in Canada through a humane and compassionate program. These programs only apply to a few exceptions.
Identity Card
It is a card used to prove who a person is. This case may be initiated by a government official or a
Immigration Document
It is an official document issued by a Canadian immigration agency, including the IRCC and the CBSA.
Immigration Officer
An IRCC officer is responsible for deciding who can enter and stay in Canada.
Immigration Status
A person’s status is in a country’s immigration system.
Implied status
If a visitor, student, or foreign worker applies to renew his or her status before his or her current status expires, he or she can remain legally in Canada until a decision is made on the application.
In Good Standing
Used to describe authorized immigration agents who are licensed, insured, qualified, and meet standards of learning, competency, and professional conduct.
Inadmissibility
This is when an immigration officer decides that no one is allowed to enter or stay in Canada. Usually the reason for these decisions is medical or criminal.
Indeterminate Job Offer
Permanent and full time offer for employment.
International Experience Canada (IEC) or (International Experience Canada)
Is a youth exchange program that allows Canadians between the ages of 18 and 35 to temporarily live or work in other countries. This is a reciprocal program, meaning that participating countries have similar agreements for their young people to travel to Canada.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
One of the certified tests to prove English language proficiency.
International Student
A foreign national is allowed to study in Canada.
International Mobility Program
Is an immigration program that allows some Canadian employers to hire foreign nationals without the need for a labor market assessment (LMIA).
Internship
Work or study training supervised by a business, government agency, or nonprofit.
Intra-Company Transferee
An employee of a company moving from outside Canada to somewhere inside Canada.
Investor
A person who has immigrated to Canada because of business experiences, net worth of personal property and significant investment.
Invitation to Apply (ITA) or (Invitation to Apply)
When a candidate is invited to apply to immigrate to Canada. Especially in Express Entry.
Invitation Round
The process by which immigration candidates are invited from an immigration program archive. This invitation process is used by several immigration programs, including Express Entry programs, Canada International Experience, and several provincial candidate programs.
Labor Market Impact Assessment(LMIA) or (Labor Market Impact Assessment)
It is a certification issued by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that assesses the impact of hiring a foreign national in Canada. A positive LMIA is a requirement for many work permit applications.
Landing
Final interview with a border crossing immigration officer (POE) or Canadian Immigration Office when a foreign national becomes a permanent resident of Canada.
Language test
Approved exam to test a person’s eligibility in English or French.
Letter of Introduction
It is a document that confirms the validity of a study permit, work permit or special visa.
Level of Study
Education level refers to the type of curriculum in which students study in Canada.
Live-In Caregiver
A person qualified to care for children, the elderly, or people with disabilities in private homes.
Low Income Cut-Off Requirements
The amount of income reduction is determined by the amount required to provide for the needs of family members each year and is determined by the Government of Canada.
Married
When two people attend a formal ceremony and marry each other.
Marriage of Convenience
A marriage or customary relationship whose sole purpose is to allow a guaranteed customary spouse or partner to immigrate to Canada.
Medical Examination
It is a physical examination performed by an IRCC attending physician and must be performed by immigration applicants before they can be approved to reside in Canada.
Medical Inadmissibility
When an applicant is barred from entering Canada for health-related reasons due to public health risks, public safety hazards or many other reasons.
Middle School
An educational level in Canada. Middle schools are the intermediate level of the Canadian education system.
Minimum Necessary Income
The minimum amount of income a family must provide to demonstrate support for a family member to immigrate or host parents or grandparents for long stays.
Minor Child
A child under 18 in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan. In all other provinces this age is 19 years. Please note that this differs from the definition of a dependent child.
Misrepresentation
False statements occur when a person provides or refuses false information or documents regarding an IRCC request. False statements are a crime that can lead to a ban on entry into Canada.
Multiple-Entry Visa
It is a visa that allows a person to enter and leave Canada several times.
National Occupational Classification (NOC)
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is a system designed to assign a unique four-digit code (NOC code) to each job in the Canadian job market. Learn how to find your NOC code.
Native Language
Also known as mother tongue or first language. It is the first language that a person learns and speaks at home.
Naturalization
It is a process through which a person who is not a Canadian citizen may apply for Canadian citizenship.
Non-Accompanying Family Members
If the immigrant applicant has dependent family members who do not intend to enter Canada, those family members are considered unaccompanied.
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or (North American Free Trade Agreement)
It is a tripartite trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico.