Glossary

Canada Immigration Glossary

This glossary explains common terms and abbreviations used in Canadian immigration. It is designed for students, parents, and professionals to understand Canadian PR pathways, scoring systems, work permits, provincial programs, and key immigration processes clearly. Wherever you see a term you’re unfamiliar with, check here for a simple, reliable explanation.

How to Use This Glossary

• Check here whenever you see a term you don’t understand on any of our FST, FSW, EE, Student → PR, CRS, PNP, or PGWP pages.
• Many terms are linked internally to relevant pages for detailed explanations and actionable guidance.

For any uncertainty about eligibility, processing, or compliance, always refer to official IRCC sources or consult a professional

A

Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP):

A program for international graduates and skilled workers who want to live and work in one of Canada’s Atlantic provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Prince Edward Island). AIP often has lower CRS barriers and is employer-driven.

Age Factor:
Points awarded in the CRS system based on the applicant’s age. Younger applicants generally receive higher points.

Application for Permanent Residence (PR):
The formal submission to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to obtain Canadian permanent residency.

Assessment of Credentials (ECA):
A process to verify that foreign education credentials are equivalent to Canadian standards, often required for FSW and CRS eligibility.

Additional CRS Points
Extra points awarded under the Comprehensive Ranking System for factors such as provincial nomination, Canadian education, arranged employment, or French-language proficiency.

Application Number (UCI):
Unique Client Identifier assigned by IRCC to track an applicant across multiple applications.

Authorized Work:
Employment permitted under the conditions of a work permit or study permit (including hour limits).

Arranged Employment
A valid job offer meeting IRCC conditions that can increase CRS points or support PNP eligibility.

B

Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP):

A temporary work permit allowing PR applicants to work in Canada while their PR application is being processed.

Base PNP

A provincial nomination stream that operates outside Express Entry. Applicants apply to the province first and then submit a PR application to IRCC.

C

Canadian Experience Class (CEC):

A federal immigration program under Express Entry for candidates with skilled Canadian work experience, often obtained through PGWP.

CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System):

A points-based system used to rank candidates in the Express Entry pool. Factors include age, education, language, Canadian work experience, and provincial nomination.

Co-op Work Terms:
Work integrated into a study program. Some co-op terms count toward PGWP eligibility; others do not.

Canadian Education Points:
CRS points awarded for eligible Canadian post-secondary education.

Category-Based Express Entry Draws:
Targeted EE draws focusing on specific occupations, language ability (French), or sectors.

Cut-off Score:
The minimum CRS score required to receive an ITA in a specific draw.

D

DLI (Designated Learning Institution):

A Canadian institution approved by the government to host international students. Only programs at DLIs are eligible for PGWP.

Dependent:

A spouse, common-law partner, or dependent child included in a PR application.

Dual Intent:

Legal concept allowing an applicant to pursue temporary status (study/work) while intending permanent residence.

E

Express Entry (EE):
An online system used to manage applications for federal skilled immigration programs (FSW, FST, CEC). Candidates are scored via CRS and invited to apply for PR based on ranking.

Express Entry Profile:
An online profile submitted to IRCC to enter the EE pool.

Employment Authorization / Work

Permit:
A permit allowing international students or workers to legally work in Canada. Types include PGWP, BOWP, and employer-specific permits.

Enhanced PNP:

A provincial nomination aligned with Express Entry that awards 600 CRS points.

ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)

An assessment confirming that foreign education is equivalent to Canadian standards, required for FSW and CRS points.

F

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW):

A federal PR program for candidates with skilled work experience outside Canada, assessed on points-based criteria (age, education, language, work experience).

FSW Eligibility Grid:
The 67-point eligibility system for Federal Skilled Worker applicants (separate from CRS).

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST):

A federal PR program for candidates with eligible trade experience, often including a job offer or provincial nomination.

Financial Proof / Funds Requirement:
Evidence that applicants can support themselves (and family members, if applicable) while studying or applying for PR in Canada.

G

GCMS Notes:
Government of Canada Migration System notes — detailed records of your immigration file explaining application decisions, delays, or refusals. Useful for understanding refusals or delays.

H

Human Capital Factors
CRS components including age, education, language ability, and Canadian work experience.

I

ITA (Invitation to Apply):
A formal invitation from IRCC to submit a PR application, issued to candidates in the Express Entry pool based on CRS ranking.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC):

The Canadian government department responsible for immigration, citizenship, and visa processing.

Inadmissibility:
Grounds on which an applicant can be refused (medical, criminal, financial, misrepresentation).

Intake Cap:
Maximum number of applications a program or stream accepts.

J

Job Offer (Valid)
A qualifying employment offer meeting IRCC conditions; not all job offers qualify for CRS or PR benefits.

L

Language Proficiency Tests:
Approved tests for English or French language skills required for PR programs. Includes IELTS (General Training) for English and TEF/TCF for French.

Language Test Validity
IELTS, TEF, or TCF scores are valid for two years and must be valid on the date of ITA and PR submission.

LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment):
A document an employer may need to hire a foreign worker; some PR pathways consider LMIA-supported work experience.

Letter of Explanation (LoE):
Applicant-provided letter clarifying aspects of an application (gaps, refusals, changes).

M

Material Change:
Any change that may affect eligibility (job change, marital status, province, refusal history).

Misrepresentation:
Providing false or misleading information; can lead to refusal and 5-year ban.

N

NOC (National Occupational Classification):
Canada’s system for classifying jobs by skill level and type. Used to determine eligibility for CEC, FSW, and FST programs.

NOC/TEER Codes:
TEER (Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities) levels replace the old NOC skill levels for immigration purposes. Determines whether work is “skilled” for PR purposes

O

Open Work Permit
A permit allowing work for any employer (e.g., PGWP, BOWP).

P

PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit):
Allows international graduates from DLIs to work in Canada for 1–3 years depending on program length. Key for building Canadian work experience for CEC or PNP.

PNP (Provincial Nominee Program):

Immigration programs run by provinces to nominate candidates for PR based on local labour market needs. Adds 600 CRS points for Express Entry applicants.

PR (Permanent Residence):

Status allowing a non-Canadian to live, work, and study permanently in Canada, with eventual eligibility for citizenship.

PGWP Eligibility Rules:
Conditions governing whether a graduate qualifies for a post-graduation work permit.

PNP Base Stream:
Provincial nomination not aligned with Express Entry; processed separately.

Proof of Funds (POF):
Financial evidence required for certain PR pathways (especially FSW, some PNPs).

Q

Qualifying Work Experience
Skilled work experience meeting NOC/TEER, hours, duration, and documentation requirements.

R

Refusal / Denial:
When a study permit, work permit, or PR application is rejected by IRCC. Reasons may include insufficient funds, inadmissibility, or document errors.

Retention Requirement/Obligation:

Some provinces require or expect PNP nominees to live and work in the nominating province for a certain period.

Refusal Grounds:
Official reasons IRCC cites for refusing an application.

S

Study Permit:
Official authorization for international students to study in Canada at a DLI. Required for PGWP eligibility.

Study Permit Compliance:

Requirements students must follow (enrolment, progress, work limits).

Student → PR Pathway:

The strategy where international students complete Canadian education, gain work experience via PGWP, and transition to PR through CEC, PNP, or other programs.

Substantially Completed Program:
Condition allowing PGWP application once program requirements are met.

Status Maintenance
Requirement to always hold valid legal status while in Canada.

T

TEER (Training, Education, Experience, Responsibilities) 0-5

Level:
Skill classification replacing old NOC levels, used to assess eligibility for skilled work programs.

Timeline & Cost Reality:
The real-world duration and expenses involved from study to PR, including tuition, living, work experience, and application fees.

Tie-Break Rule:
Used when multiple EE candidates have the same CRS score.

U

University / College Eligibility:
Only programs at DLIs that meet specific criteria are eligible for PGWP and can contribute toward PR pathways.

Upfront Medical Exam:
Medical examination completed before PR submission.

UCI (Unique Client Identifier)
A unique number assigned by IRCC to track applicants across applications.

V

Visa / Permit Status:
Legal status granted to an international student or worker in Canada. Maintaining valid status is crucial for PR eligibility.

Validity Period:
Time during which test scores, ECAs, or permits remain valid.

W

Withdrawal vs Refusal:
Withdrawing an application is not the same as being refused.

Y

Years of Experience
Canadian or foreign work experience duration used for eligibility and CRS scoring.

Z

Zero-Hour Contracts

Employment arrangements that may not qualify as valid work experience for PR purposes.