📖 Glossary
Immigration terms, in plain language
Short, clear definitions of the words you will meet on visa applications and official letters.
Last updated
Immigration letters and forms use specialist words. This glossary explains the most common ones in plain language and links to our guides for detail. Definitions are general; the official meaning in your country's law always takes priority.
A
- A-Number
- Alien Registration Number: a unique number the US government gives a person in immigration records. It identifies the person, unlike a receipt number, which identifies one application.
- Adjustment of status
- The US process for applying for a green card from inside the United States, instead of through a US embassy or consulate abroad.
B
- Biometric residence permit (BRP)
- A UK card that showed a person's immigration status. The UK has been replacing BRPs with digital eVisas.
C
- Certificate of sponsorship (CoS)
- An electronic record with a reference number that a UK sponsor employer assigns to a worker. You need it to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. Learn more ›
- CLB
- Canadian Language Benchmark: the scale IRCC uses to measure English ability for immigration. French uses the equivalent NCLC scale. Learn more ›
- Consular processing
- Applying for a US immigrant visa through a US embassy or consulate outside the United States.
E
- Educational credential assessment (ECA)
- A report confirming that a foreign degree or diploma is valid and equivalent to a Canadian credential, used for Express Entry.
- eVisa
- The UK's digital record of a person's immigration status, viewed and shared through a UK Visas and Immigration account. Learn more ›
- Express Entry
- Canada's online system for managing three economic permanent residence programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Learn more ›
G
- Going rate
- The minimum salary for a specific occupation code under the UK Skilled Worker visa. Applicants must meet the going rate or the general threshold, whichever is higher. Learn more ›
- Green card
- The common name for a US Permanent Resident Card, which lets a person live and work permanently in the United States.
I
- Immigration Health Surcharge
- A yearly fee most UK visa applicants pay upfront to use the National Health Service during their stay. Learn more ›
- Indefinite leave to remain (ILR)
- Permanent settlement in the UK, with no time limit on your stay. It is usually a step towards British citizenship.
- Invitation to apply (ITA)
- An invitation from IRCC to apply for Canadian permanent residence through Express Entry. It must be used within 60 days. Learn more ›
N
- National Insurance number
- A UK personal reference number used to record tax and National Insurance contributions. Learn more ›
- Naturalization
- The process by which a foreign national becomes a citizen of a country after meeting residence and other requirements.
R
- Receipt number
- A 13 character code, three letters and 10 numbers, that USCIS gives each application or petition so it can be tracked online. Learn more ›
- Request for evidence (RFE)
- A USCIS notice asking an applicant to send more documents or information before a decision is made.
S
- Sponsor
- An employer, family member or organisation that supports a person's immigration application and accepts certain duties under the rules.
T
- TEER
- Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities: the category system Canada's National Occupational Classification uses to group jobs.