Academic program

A post-secondary program that awards an academic degree, diploma or professional certification. This program is often delivered at universities, colleges, seminaries and institutes of technology.

Accompanying dependant

A spouse, commn-law partner, dependent child or dependent child of a dependent chils (grandchild), who plans to immigrate to Canada with the principal applicant.

Affidavit

A document becomes an affidavit when a person signs the document, in the presence of an authorized person, after taking an oath that what the document says is true and accurate.

Biometric Instruction Letter

If yous need your biometrics, IRCC sends a biometric instruction letter to you either by mail or through your account when you apply. Yous must bring a paper copy of this letter with you to a visa application centre (VAC) or application support centre (ASC) when you go in person to give your biometrics.

Business class

A category that includes investors, entrepreneurs and self-employed people. A person may become a permanent resident in this category based on his or her ability. to economically establish in Canada.

Canadian Experience Class

An immigration category that allows foreign workers or recently graduated international students working in Canada to apply for permanent residence.

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)

The Canadian standard used to describe, measure and recognize English language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants who plan to live and work in Canada, or apply for citizenship.The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) is used to assess abilities in the French language.

Departure order

A removal order issued by either a CBSA officer or the IRB against people who have violated Canada’s immigration law. The person named on a departure order must leave Canada within 30 days. 

Designated Learning Institution

A school in Canada that a student must be accepted at bedore they can qualify for a study permit. All primary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically designated. Applicants for primary and secondary schools do not need a DLI number on their application form.

Express Entry Canada

An electronic system to manage applications for these immigration programs:

• the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSW)
• the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FST)
• the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) or
• a portion of the provincial nominee program.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

eTA is a requirement for visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air. The authorization is electronically linked to your passport and is valid for five years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.

Family Class

An immigration category that includes any family members sponsored to come to Canada by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Federal skilled worker

An immigrant selected as a permanent resident based on their education, work experience, knowledge of English and/or French, and other criteria that have been shown to help people succed in the Canadian labour market. Spouses and children are included on the application. Québec selects its own skilled workers, under the Québec skilled worker Class (QSW)

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

An international agreement that provides the basis for giving some foreign business people easier access to Canada. Three kinds of business people are covered:

• business visitors,
• professionals and
• employees transferred within a company to work in Canada.

High commission

A Government of Canada office, is the same as an embassy, but is located in the capital city of a Commonwealth country.

Humanitarian and compassionate application (H & C)

People who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada may be able to apply on humanitarian and compassionate (H & C) grounds.

Immigration status

A non-citizen’s position in a country, for example, permanent resident or visitor.

Inadmissibility

When a person is not allowed to enter or stay in Canada. reasons can include security concerns, criminal offences, human rights violations, health or financial reasons, and failure to comply with Canada’s immigration laws.

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

An LMIA is a document that an employer in Canada must usually get before hiring a foreighn worker. A positive LMIA, sometimes called Confirmation letter, will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker can do the job.

Letter of introduction

A document sent from a visa office to confirm approval of:

• a study permit, or
• a work permit, or
• extended stay for a parent or grandparent from a country that does not require visas (the Super Visa program)

Medical examination

A physical examination (that could also include laboratory/radiology tests depending on age)performed by an IRCC appointed medical doctore that all immigrants and some visitors must go through before they are allowed into Canada. An applicant must be in good health and have no conditions or illnesses that:

• would pose a danger to Canadians or
• be very expensive to treat in Canada.