Glossary
A
- Accompanying family member
- Family members who apply for immigration together with the principal applicant, such as a spouse, common-law partner, children or grandchildren.
- Affidavit
- A sworn statement signed in the presence of a notary public, certifying that the prepared document contains no errors. Often used to confirm translated documents.
- Approved in principle/Approval in principle (AIP)
- A letter from IRCC. It is sent at the stage where the applicant has been found eligible to become a permanent resident, but the medical examination and background checks are still pending.
- Arranged employment
- A job offer from a Canadian employer for a high-skilled position (NOC 0, A, B). In many cases, approval from ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) is required.
- Assessment
- An evaluation of suitability carried out when joining a school or work program, measuring knowledge and skills.
- A representative. This may be a qualified professional (lawyer or immigration consultant) providing paid services, or a family member, volunteer, etc. acting free of charge.
B
- Biometrics
- Biometrics. Information used to identify an individual using unique physical characteristics, including fingerprints.
- Biometric Instruction Letter
- A letter issued by IRCC instructing the applicant to provide biometrics. The barcode in the letter is scanned at the Visa Application Centre.
- Border Services Officer
- An officer of a Canadian federal agency. They control entry and exit at the border and have the same powers as police, such as arrest and seizure.
- Business visitor
- A person who visits Canada to engage in international business, has no intention of entering the Canadian labour market, and works for and is paid by a company or government outside Canada.
C
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
- The standard for English proficiency used by adults in Canada, with levels from 1 to 12. Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) measures French proficiency.
- Case Processing Centre (CPC)
- The office in charge of Canadian permanent residence and citizenship applications.
Office locations
Sydney-Nova Scotia
Vegreville-Alberta
Mississauga and Ottawa, Ontario - CEGEPs
- An education program unique to Quebec, taken between high school and university. There is a pre-university program (2 years) and a career program (3 years).
- Centralized Intake Office
- The headquarters of IRCC located in Sydney, Nova Scotia. It also handles work related to visa offices outside Canada.
- Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ)
- A document issued by the Government of Quebec. A CAQ application is required when coming to Quebec to study or work.
- Certificate of nomination
- A nomination certificate issued by a province to workers under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). The applicant uses this certificate to apply for immigration with the federal government.
- Certified photocopy
- A photocopy of an original document issued under certification by a notary public. The content of the copy must not differ from the original.
- Certified translator
- An interpreter or translator registered with a province or the government.
- Citizen
- A citizenship holder; a person who has acquired Canadian nationality. Citizens have the right to vote and can work in the federal public service.
- Citizenship
- Citizenship. The state of being granted by a country the same duties, rights, responsibilities and privileges as its nationals.
- Client Identification Number
- Also called Client ID or Unique Client Identifier Number (UCI). An 8- or 10-digit number attached to all official documents (such as visas) issued by IRCC and visa offices outside Canada.
Example: (1234-1234 or 11-1234-1234) - College
- College / junior college. Diploma programs of 1 to 3 years are offered, ranging from academic to technical fields.
- Common-law partner
- A person who has lived with a partner in a marriage-like relationship for at least 1 year. Includes same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
- Compliance Fee
- A fee paid when an employer hires a foreign national under the International Mobility Program (IMP). It does not need to be paid in the following cases:
・When hiring on an open work permit
・When hiring on a work permit obtained through a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
To pay, the employer must create an account on the Employer Portal and submit an Offer of Employment. - Comprehensive ranking system (CRS)
- The points system used in Express Entry to score background, such as work history and language ability.
- Conjugal partner
- A person who has been in a marriage-like relationship with a partner for at least 1 year but cannot live together due to complex reasons beyond their control, such as immigration or religious issues. The applicant must be outside Canada. Includes same-sex and opposite-sex couples.
- Co-op/Internship Work Permit
- A work permit needed in addition to a study permit when a school program includes an internship or work placement. Because the work is positioned as part of the studies, there are restrictions on working conditions. Students can gain practical work experience for the same length as their study period at school, and completing both finishes the program.
- Criminal inadmissibility
- Being refused entry to Canada because of a past criminal record inside or outside Canada.
- Criminal rehabilitation
- A past criminal record inside or outside Canada is no longer grounds for refusing entry. An application can be made at least 5 years after all criminal sentences have been completed.
D
- Deemed rehabilitation
- Excluding serious crimes, a person may be able to enter Canada if 5 to 10 or more years have passed since committing an offence outside Canada. Whether entry is permitted depends on individual circumstances. No specific application is required.
- Departure order
- A removal order issued by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for violating Canada’s immigration law. The person must leave Canada within 30 days of the order.
- Dependant
- A dependant. The spouse, common-law partner or child of a permanent resident or principal applicant.
- Dependent child
- A dependent child. A child under 22 who is unmarried and has no partner, or a child 22 or older who depends on parental support due to a mental or physical condition (October 24, 2017 to present).
- Deportation Order
- A removal order issued for a serious violation of Canada’s immigration law. Returning to Canada requires authorization from the Minister of Immigration. Stronger than a Departure order.
- Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- A school registered on the DLI list. A study permit can only be obtained to attend a school on the list. All primary, junior high and high schools are DLIs and are therefore not listed (June 1, 2014 to present).
E
- eMedical
- A system approved by IRCC for transferring medical examination results online. Faster and more convenient than mail.
- The Canadian federal department of labour. The agency that reviews work authorization for foreign workers, among other things.
- Exclusion Order
- A type of removal order. Returning to Canada requires authorization from the Minister of Immigration; without it, there is a waiting period of at least 1 year. If the reason is Misrepresentation, the waiting period without authorization is at least 5 years.
F
- Flag-pole/ Flagpoling
- Travelling to the Canada/US border with a visa approval letter in order to change one’s status, leaving Canada and immediately re-entering.
- Full-time Equivalent Studies
- A part-time school program that is considered equivalent to a full-time course.
- Full-time Job Equivalent
- Work considered full-time: 1,560 hours or more of work per year.
- Full-time Study
- Definition of full-time study: 15 or more hours of study per week at school. Includes work that is part of the school program, such as internships.
- Full-time Study Status
- Whether a course counts as full-time study is determined by each school’s own criteria.
- Full-time Work
- Definition of full-time work: paid work of 30 or more hours per week.
G
- Guarantor
- A guarantor who has known the applicant for at least 2 years and can confirm their identity and the personal information given in applications. If there is no guarantor, a statutory declaration must be completed instead.
H
- Humanitarian and compassionate application (H&C)
- When a person cannot apply for permanent residence because they do not meet the requirements, an H & C application may be possible as an exception. It is assessed based on factors such as the degree of hardship the person would face by leaving Canada or not having permanent residence, and the best interests of any child living apart.
I
- Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)
- The regulatory body for immigration consultants. Apart from lawyers, only members of this council can submit applications as a representative. Formerly CSIC (Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants).
- Immigration document
- Official immigration-related documents issued by IRCC, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), etc., inside or outside Canada. Includes PR cards and various visas.
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- The Canadian immigration department. The agency that reviews applications for visas and permanent residence. Formerly CIC (Citizenship and Immigration Canada).
- Immigration Status
- The status in Canada of a person who does not hold Canadian citizenship, such as visitor or permanent resident.
- Implied Status
- Renamed Maintained Status (April 2021).
- In good standing
- In relation to representatives, having sufficient competence and qualifications for work involving Canadian law, such as visa applications.
- In process
- The state in which IRCC has received and opened the application and it has entered processing.
- Inadmissibility
- Being refused entry to Canada for violating Canadian immigration law on grounds such as security, human rights, health or financial situation.
- Indeterminate Job Offer
- A permanent, full-time job offer.
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
- One of the English proficiency tests. There are two types for reading and writing: General Training and Academic.
- International Experience Canada (IEC)
- A youth exchange program allowing Canadians aged 18 to 35 to stay and work in another country for about 1 year. In return, young people from other countries are allowed to stay and work in Canada (e.g. working holiday).
- Intra-company Transferee
- An employee sent from a company outside Canada to a Canadian company and permitted short-term employment.
- Invitation to apply
- An invitation from IRCC, sent to applicants selected in a working holiday or Express Entry draw.
J
- Job Offer
- A notice of employment; a guarantee of employment.
L
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
- An assessment of a company, required for an employer to hire foreign workers. It is administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC), and if approved, a positive LMIA / Confirmation letter is issued.
- Labour market opinion (LMO)
- The former name of the LMIA.
- Landing
- The final step in a permanent residence application. The process is completed by going to the border or the nearest immigration office, having a final interview and signing the Confirmation of Permanent Residence.
- Letter of Acceptance (LOA)
- A letter of admission from a school, required when applying for a study permit.
- Letter of introduction
- An approval letter from a visa office relating to a study permit, work permit, or extended stay for parents/grandparents (Super Visa). The applicant must carry it when travelling to Canada.
- Letter of invitation
- A letter written by an individual in Canada on behalf of family or friends who wish to visit Canada. It should include how they will plan the stay and support the visitors financially.
- Locked in
- Information during the immigration application process is not affected by changes during the review period. Example: a minor who reaches the age of majority during processing is still processed as a minor.
- Low-income cut-off (LICO)
- The minimum income level set by the government, required to apply for immigration for a spouse or children, or for an extended stay for parents/grandparents (Super Visa). The amount varies by family size, and income must be at or above this level.
M
- Maintained Status
- When an application to extend a visa is submitted before the visa expires, the person can remain in Canada legally until a decision is made. The conditions of the previous visa continue until the result is issued: work permit holders can continue working, study permit holders can continue attending school, and visitors can continue their stay (no Confirmation or similar document is issued for Maintained Status).
- Medical inadmissibility
- Being refused entry to Canada when the person would pose a danger to public safety or health, or would require excessive social services.
- Minimum necessary income
- The minimum income required to apply for immigration for a spouse or children, or for an extended stay for parents or grandparents (Super Visa).
- Minor child
ce - A minor. The age of majority differs by province.
18 → Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan. 19 in all other provinces. - Misrepresentation
- Violating Canadian immigration law by making false statements or providing false information. If misrepresentation is discovered after citizenship is granted, citizenship is revoked, and the person must wait 5 to 10 years before being approved again.
- Multiple-entry Visa
- A visa that allows multiple entries into Canada within a set period.
N
- Non-regulated occupation
- An occupation that does not require a licence, certificate or registration. About 80% of jobs in Canada fall into this category.
- National Occupational Classification（NOC）
- The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is the system for classifying occupations in Canada.
O
- Open Work Permit
- Open work permit. A work permit in Canada that is not limited to a specific employer. However, it assumes the employer is not providing illegal or prohibited services. IRCC’s website also has a list of ineligible employers.
P
- Permanent Resident
- A permanent resident. A person who has the right to live in Canada permanently but does not yet hold citizenship.
- Permanent Resident Card
- An identification card issued to permanent residents. It shows an expiry date and must be renewed every 5 years.
- Permanent Resident Visa
- A visa for permanent residents issued at a visa office outside Canada. Required when entering Canada (landing).
- Pilot Program
- A pilot program is a program implemented on a trial basis for a limited period. IRCC introduces pilot programs so that, before creating a new permanent residence category, it can test it for a set period, minimize the risks of setting up the new category, forecast its economic impact once made permanent, and make effective immigration plans.
- Port of Entry
- A Canadian border crossing. Ports of entry are located at airports, on land and at sea.
- Principal Applicant
- The main applicant in an immigration application involving several people, such as a family. A parent can be the principal applicant for a child, but a child cannot be the principal applicant for a parent.
- Provincial or territorial nominee
- An applicant under a Provincial Nominee Program who has been recognized as needed by that province, from the perspective of filling labour shortages and contributing to the Canadian economy.
R
- Record of landing (IMM 1000)
- A document issued upon first entering Canada (landing) to become a permanent resident. Abolished as of June 28, 2002.
- Rehabilitation
- When a person who is inadmissible due to a past criminal record has been rehabilitated and becomes allowed to enter Canada.
- Removal Order
- A removal order. There are 3 types (Departure Order, Exclusion Order, Deportation Order), each with different effects and content.
- Port of Entry
- A Canadian border crossing. Ports of entry are located at airports, on land and at sea.
- Representative
- A representative in dealings with IRCC and in applications. Licensed or qualified people such as lawyers and immigration consultants, or, when unpaid, family members, may act as representatives.
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee
- A fee paid to the government to register the right of permanent residence. It must be paid before obtaining permanent residence.
S
- Settlement Funds
- This has two meanings.
1. Proof of funds required for applicants in economic immigration categories (Provincial Nominee, caregiver, skilled worker, etc.).
2. Government subsidies for community development and for people starting a new life in a new place. - Single-Entry Visa
- A visa that allows entry into Canada only once.
- Skill Level
- Skill level of an occupation. In Canada, occupations are classified by the National Occupational Classification (NOC). Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) applicants need work experience at the applicable skill level.
- Sponsor
- A sponsor. A Canadian citizen or permanent resident aged 18 or older who supports a family member’s immigration (e.g. a spouse).
- Sponsored person
- A person (foreign national) who applies for permanent residence through family sponsorship with the support of a sponsor (e.g. a spouse).
- Spouse
- A spouse. Includes same-sex and opposite-sex spouses, but does not include common-law partners.
T
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program
- A program under which work is permitted only when Canadians cannot fill a labour shortage, such as through the LMIA.
- Temporary Resident
- A temporary resident, such as a student, worker or visitor.
- Temporary Resident Documents
- Documents such as study permits, work permits and visitor visas that allow a stay in Canada for a set period. They have an expiry date.
- Temporary Resident Permit
- A permit issued as an exception to people who are not eligible under Canadian immigration law to enter or stay in Canada.
- Temporary Resident Visa (TRV)
- When entering Canada as a visitor, countries are divided into those whose citizens can enter and stay with an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and those that require a visa (TRV). Japanese nationals travel with an eTA.
- Travel Document
- An official document issued by a government or an international organization such as the United Nations, proving identity when travelling between countries. It includes a photo and personal information. An application is required in cases such as losing a Canadian PR card.
U
- A person who provides paid services as a representative without being qualified like a lawyer or immigration consultant.
V
- Valid Job Offer
- A job offer. For Express Entry, it must be in writing, for continuous full-time employment of at least one year, in a high skill level position (NOC 0, A, B), and the person must be working with an LMIA. *In some cases the LMIA is exempt.
- Visa
- A visa. There are visas for temporary residents (students, visitors, workers) and for permanent residents. It permits entry into Canada and represents one’s status in Canada.
- Visa Application Centre
- Visa Application Centre (VAC). An organization that provides paid support for visa applications to applicants outside Canada. It does not give advice about visas.
- Visa Office
- Located within Canadian embassies, high commissions and consulates in each country, visa offices process Canadian immigration applications and provide information. Services differ by office.
- Visa Officer
- An officer working at a visa office who has final decision-making authority, such as approving or refusing visas. At visa offices outside Canada, local staff rather than Canadians may be in charge.
- Volunteer
- Volunteer. Providing service without pay.
