Last updated: April 21, 2026
A plain-language reference for the most common terms used in Canadian immigration. Bookmark this page — it is useful throughout the process.
A–C
- AIP — Atlantic Immigration Program
- A federal-provincial immigration pathway for skilled workers and international graduates who want to settle in Atlantic Canada (NB, NS, PEI, NL).
- AOR — Acknowledgment of Receipt
- Confirmation from IRCC that your application was received. Not an approval — just a receipt.
- BOWP — Bridging Open Work Permit
- An open work permit that allows permanent residence applicants to continue working in Canada while their PR application is in process.
- CEC — Canadian Experience Class
- An Express Entry stream for workers who already have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada.
- CELPIP — Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program
- An approved English language test for immigration purposes. Accepted by IRCC for most applications.
- CICC — College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants
- The regulatory body that licenses and oversees Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCICs).
- CLB — Canadian Language Benchmarks
- The standard scale used by IRCC to measure English language proficiency. Ranges from CLB 1 (beginner) to CLB 12 (advanced).
- CRS — Comprehensive Ranking System
- The points-based scoring system used in Express Entry to rank candidates in the pool. Higher CRS scores get invited first.
- CUSMA
- Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement. Allows certain professionals from the US and Mexico to work in Canada without an LMIA.
E–I
- ECA — Educational Credential Assessment
- A formal evaluation of foreign education credentials to determine the Canadian equivalency. Required for Express Entry.
- EE — Express Entry
- Canada’s main federal skilled worker immigration system. Candidates create profiles, get ranked by CRS score, and high-ranking candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs).
- eTA — Electronic Travel Authorization
- A travel authorization required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying into Canada. Not required for US citizens.
- FST — Federal Skilled Trades Program
- An Express Entry stream for workers in skilled trades occupations.
- FSW — Federal Skilled Worker Program
- An Express Entry stream for skilled workers with foreign work experience who meet minimum eligibility criteria.
- IELTS — International English Language Testing System
- For most Canadian immigration pathways that require IELTS, IRCC accepts the General Training version, not IELTS Academic. Always confirm the exact test accepted for your pathway.
- IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- The federal department responsible for immigration policy and applications in Canada.
- ITA — Invitation to Apply
- An invitation issued by IRCC to Express Entry candidates with sufficiently high CRS scores to submit a permanent residence application.
L–P
- LMIA — Labour Market Impact Assessment
- An assessment from ESDC (Employment and Social Development Canada) that an employer must obtain before hiring most temporary foreign workers. A “positive” LMIA means a job offer can support a work permit.
- NCLC — Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
- The French-language proficiency scale used by IRCC, equivalent to CLB for French.
- NOC — National Occupational Classification
- Canada’s system for classifying jobs. Used by IRCC to assess work experience. NOC 2021 is the current version, using a TEER system.
- OWP — Open Work Permit
- A work permit that allows the holder to work for any employer in Canada, without restriction to a specific employer or position.
- PGWP — Post-Graduation Work Permit
- An open work permit available to international students who graduate from eligible Canadian institutions. Allows work experience that can count toward PR.
- PNP — Provincial Nominee Program
- Provincial and territorial immigration programs that allow provinces to nominate candidates for permanent residence based on local economic needs.
- PR — Permanent Residence
- Status that grants the right to live and work anywhere in Canada indefinitely, access most social services, and apply for citizenship after meeting residency requirements.
R–Z
- RCIC — Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
- A licensed immigration professional authorized to provide immigration advice and representation for a fee. Licensed by the CICC.
- RPD — Refugee Protection Division
- A division of the IRB (Immigration and Refugee Board) that hears refugee protection claims made inside Canada.
- STCA — Safe Third Country Agreement
- An agreement between Canada and the US that generally requires refugee claimants to request asylum in the first safe country they arrive in.
- TEER — Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities
- The NOC 2021 classification structure. TEER 0, 1, 2, and 3 are the skilled worker categories relevant to most immigration programs.
- TRV — Temporary Resident Visa
- A visa allowing a foreign national to enter Canada temporarily. Also called a visitor visa.
- WES — World Education Services
- One of IRCC’s designated ECA (Educational Credential Assessment) organizations.
