Glossary
Immigration terms, explained simply.
Canadian immigration uses many acronyms. Here are the ones you are most likely to see on forms and official letters.
- AOR
- Acknowledgement of Receipt — confirmation that IRCC has received an application.
- Biometrics
- Fingerprints and a photograph collected to confirm identity.
- CEC
- Canadian Experience Class — an Express Entry program for people with skilled Canadian work experience.
- CLB / NCLC
- Canadian Language Benchmarks (English) and Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (French).
- COPR
- Confirmation of Permanent Residence — the document issued before becoming a permanent resident.
- CRS
- Comprehensive Ranking System — the points system used to rank Express Entry candidates.
- ECA
- Educational Credential Assessment — a report on the Canadian equivalency of foreign education.
- eTA
- Electronic Travel Authorization — required for many visa-exempt air travellers.
- ESDC
- Employment and Social Development Canada — the department that assesses LMIAs.
- FSWP
- Federal Skilled Worker Program — an Express Entry economic program.
- IEC
- International Experience Canada — work and travel programs for youth from partner countries.
- IRCC
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — the federal immigration department.
- ITA
- Invitation to Apply — issued to selected Express Entry candidates.
- LMIA
- Labour Market Impact Assessment — an assessment of a proposed hire of a foreign worker.
- NOC / TEER
- National Occupational Classification and its Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities categories.
- Open work permit
- A permit not tied to a specific employer, available only in eligible situations.
- PGWP
- Post-Graduation Work Permit — for eligible graduates of Canadian institutions.
- PNP
- Provincial Nominee Program — provincial and territorial selection streams.
- PR
- Permanent Resident — a person granted permanent resident status who is not a citizen.
- PRTD
- Permanent Resident Travel Document — lets a PR without a valid card return to Canada.
- Procedural fairness letter
- A letter giving an applicant a chance to respond to concerns before a decision.
- Sponsor
- A Canadian citizen or permanent resident who supports a family member's application.
- TRP
- Temporary Resident Permit — a discretionary permit for some inadmissible people.
- TRV
- Temporary Resident Visa — the visitor visa placed in a passport.
- Undertaking
- A sponsor's legal promise to financially support a sponsored family member.
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