Canadian Immigration Glossary

Alberta's Provincial Nominee Program (formerly AINP). Operates Express Entry-aligned, Dedicated Pathways (Healthcare, Tourism, Construction, Agriculture, Tech), Rural Renewal, and Entrepreneur streams.

British Columbia's Provincial Nominee Program. Operates Skills Immigration, Tech (weekly draws), Healthcare Professional, International Graduate, Entry Level and Semi-Skilled, and Entrepreneur streams.

One of three federal Express Entry programs. CEC is for foreign nationals who have already accrued 12+ months of Canadian skilled work experience (TEER 0-3) in the last 3 years. The most-used PR pathway for PGWP holders.

One of three federal Express Entry programs, targeted to skilled-trades workers in specific TEER 2-3 NOC categories. Requires either a valid Canadian job offer or a Canadian certificate of qualification in the trade.

One of three federal Express Entry programs. FSW is for foreign nationals with skilled foreign work experience who want to immigrate to Canada permanently — no prior Canadian residence required. The original 'points-tested' immigration program.

Ontario's Provincial Nominee Program. Operates multiple streams including Human Capital Priorities (Express Entry-aligned), French-Speaking Skilled Worker, Employer Job Offer, Masters/PhD Graduate, and Entrepreneur.

A set of immigration programs run by individual Canadian provinces and territories (other than Quebec and Nunavut) to nominate foreign nationals for permanent residence based on local economic needs. A provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points to Express Entry-aligned candidates.

Canada's federal direct-to-PR program for innovative entrepreneurs who can secure a Letter of Support from a Designated Organization (venture capital fund, angel investor group, or business incubator).

IRCC's confirmation that your application has been received and met basic completeness requirements. The AOR date is when the formal processing clock starts.

The federal information-access regime under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. ATIP requests are the standard way for immigration applicants and their representatives to obtain GCMS notes, internal procedural manuals, and operational records from IRCC and CBSA.

The official IRCC document confirming that an applicant has been approved for Canadian permanent residence. Issued at the end of the PR application process — you 'land' as a PR when you present it at a port of entry (or, for eCoPR, via the IRCC portal).

The complete permanent residence application submitted electronically to IRCC after receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Express Entry pool. The applicant has 60 days to submit a complete eAPR after the ITA.

IRCC's internal case management system. Every immigration application creates a GCMS file. Applicants and their authorized representatives can request a copy of their GCMS notes through an Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) request — often the fastest way to understand why a file is delayed or refused.

The legal status of a foreign national who has applied to extend their current status (work permit, study permit, or visitor status) before expiry and is awaiting a decision. Allows continued legal stay in Canada under the same conditions as the previous permit.

A letter from IRCC giving the applicant an opportunity to respond to a specific concern before a final decision is made. Common concerns: misrepresentation, inadmissibility, eligibility doubts, document gaps. The response window is typically short (7-30 days).

An IRCC mechanism allowing a foreign national who lost temporary status (overstayed, expired permit without timely extension) to apply to restore that status within 90 days. After 90 days, the foreign national must leave Canada.

An open work permit issued to PR applicants whose current work permit is expiring before their PR application is decided. Allows continuous legal work authorization while the PR application is being processed by IRCC.

The North American trade agreement (formerly NAFTA) that includes immigration provisions allowing US and Mexican citizens privileged access to LMIA-exempt Canadian work permits under specific professional, intracompany transfer, and trader/investor categories.

Canada's youth-mobility work-permit program for citizens of treaty countries. Three streams: Working Holiday (open permit), Young Professionals (employer-specific), and International Co-op Internship. Age caps typically 18-30 or 18-35.

A document issued by Service Canada / ESDC confirming that a Canadian employer's hiring of a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labour market. Required for most TFWP work permits and adds 50 CRS points for Express Entry.

A work permit that allows the holder to work for any Canadian employer in any role, without an LMIA. Includes PGWP, SOWP, BOWP, IEC Working Holiday, and certain humanitarian/public-policy work permits.

An open work permit issued to graduates of eligible Canadian post-secondary programs, allowing them to work for any Canadian employer for up to 3 years after graduation. The primary bridge from international student to permanent residence.

An open work permit issued to the spouse or common-law partner of a Canadian work-permit or study-permit holder, allowing the spouse to work for any Canadian employer. Eligibility has been progressively restricted since January 2025.

The federal regulatory body that licenses and oversees all Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs) under the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants Act.

The Canadian federal department responsible for citizenship, immigration, refugee protection, passport issuance, and multiculturalism. IRCC processes all visa, permit, and PR applications and operates visa offices worldwide.

A licensed immigration professional authorized to represent clients before IRCC and (with RCIC-IRB designation) the Immigration and Refugee Board. RCICs are regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC).

Under IRPA s. 96, a person who has a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group, and is outside their country of nationality and unwilling/unable to seek state protection.

The Canadian federal trial court with jurisdiction over judicial review of IRCC, IRB, and other federal-immigration decisions. Lawyer representation required (RCICs cannot appear directly). Strict 15/30-day deadlines from notification.

A discretionary application to IRCC requesting permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, despite not meeting standard eligibility for any other PR program. Authorized under IRPA section 25.

One of four divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Hears appeals from sponsorship refusals, residence-obligation breach findings against PRs, removal orders against PRs and protected persons. Has broad equitable jurisdiction including H&C consideration.

One of four divisions of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). Decides inadmissibility hearings, detention reviews, and certain removal-order proceedings. Quasi-criminal in nature.

A legal finding that a foreign national is not allowed to enter or remain in Canada under specific grounds in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Grounds include criminality, security, organized criminality, human-rights violations, health, financial reasons, and misrepresentation.

The independent administrative tribunal that decides immigration and refugee matters in Canada. Operates four divisions: Refugee Protection Division (RPD), Refugee Appeal Division (RAD), Immigration Division (ID), and Immigration Appeal Division (IAD).

A risk assessment conducted by IRCC for individuals facing removal from Canada to determine whether they would face risk of persecution, torture, or cruel treatment in their country of return. Available to most foreign nationals before removal.

The appellate division of the Immigration and Refugee Board that hears appeals from negative Refugee Protection Division (RPD) decisions. Appeals must be filed within 15 days of receiving RPD reasons.

The first-instance division of the Immigration and Refugee Board that decides refugee-protection claims by individuals already in Canada under sections 96 and 97 of IRPA.

The points-based system IRCC uses to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Your CRS score (out of 1,200) determines whether you receive an Invitation to Apply in a given draw.

The official invitation from IRCC inviting a candidate in the Express Entry pool to submit a complete permanent residence application. The applicant has 60 days to submit the eAPR after receiving the ITA.

A Canadian post-secondary institution that has been approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. A DLI Letter of Acceptance is required for a Canadian study permit.

An assessment from a designated organization that verifies a foreign educational credential is equivalent to a Canadian credential. Required for most Express Entry applications and many PNP streams.

An initial profile submission to a Canadian PNP or business-immigration stream, indicating interest in being invited to apply. EOIs are scored or otherwise ranked, and selected candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).

An electronic entry authorization required for citizens of visa-exempt countries flying to Canada. Issued online for CAD $7, valid 5 years or until passport expires. Different from a TRV (required for visa-required nationals).

A Canadian banking product where an international student deposits a fixed amount (typically CAD $15,000-22,000) with a participating Canadian bank as proof of cost-of-living funds for the study permit application. Released to the student in installments after arrival in Canada.

Statistics Canada's annual measure of low income. Used by IRCC as the financial-eligibility threshold for Super Visa sponsorship and certain other immigration applications.

The annual income threshold a Canadian sponsor must meet to be eligible to sponsor parents and grandparents under PGP. Calculated based on family size, must be met for the 3 prior tax years.

The annual statement issued by CRA confirming the result of your tax-return assessment. Used by IRCC to verify income for PGP MNI, Super Visa LICO, and citizenship tax-filing requirements.

Canada's standardized system for classifying every occupation by a 5-digit code and a TEER category. Most economic-class immigration applications require you to identify the NOC code that matches your work experience.

A letter issued by a Canadian province confirming that an international student applicant counts under the province's federal study-permit cap. Required since 2024 for most undergraduate and college applicants; exempt for master's, doctoral, and certain professional programs.

A fast-track study permit processing program that operated from 2018 to November 2024 for nationals of 14 designated countries. SDS closed on November 8, 2024 — all study permit applications now process under the regular stream.

The six-level categorization (TEER 0 through 5) used in Canada's NOC 2021 system to classify occupations by the typical training, education, experience, and responsibility they require.

A document issued to a foreign national who is inadmissible to Canada but has been granted exceptional entry or stay on compelling grounds. Different from a TRV — a TRP overrides an inadmissibility finding.

A counterfoil placed in a passport that allows a foreign national to enter Canada as a temporary resident (visitor, student, or worker). Required for citizens of visa-required countries — visa-exempt nationals use an eTA instead.