Glossary

A B C D E F G H I L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y

Note:Thepurposeofthesedefinitionsistohelppeopleunderstandthetermsweuseonthiswebsite.Theyarenotintendedtobelegal
definitions,andshouldnotbetreatedassuch.

Academicprogram
Apostsecondaryprogramthatawardsanacademicdegree,diplomaorprofessionalcertification.Thisprogramisoftendeliveredatuniversities,
colleges,seminariesandinstitutesoftechnology.

Accompanyingfamilymember
Relatedterm:
Accompanyingdependant

Aspouse,commonlawpartner,dependentchildordependentchildofadependentchild(grandchild),whoplanstoimmigratetoCanadawiththe
principalapplicant.Accompanyingfamilymembersareincludedontheapplication.

Address
Anaddressistheplacewhereapersonislivingrightnow.Itcanbeidentifiedbysuchthingsasastreetnumber,streetname,apartmentnumber,city,
town,province/stateandcountry.

Forexample:AstudentfromMexicostudyinginCanadashouldentertheaddresswhereheorsheislivinginCanada.

AdequateknowledgeofCanada

TheCitizenshiptestwillevaluateyourknowledgeofCanada.Duringthewrittenexamandtheinterview,youwillbeaskedquestionsabout:

therighttovoteandrighttorunforelectedoffice
electionsprocedures
therightsandresponsibilitiesofacitizen
Canadiansocialandculturalhistoryandsymbols
Canadianpoliticalhistory(includingthepoliticalsystemandinstitutions)
Canadianphysicalandpoliticalgeography

Adequateknowledgeoflanguage
InordertobecomeaCanadiancitizen,theCitizenshipActrequiresnewcitizenstohavean"adequateknowledge"ofEnglishorFrench,Canadastwo
officiallanguages.Ingeneral,"adequateknowledge"meansyoucanunderstandsomeonespeakingEnglishorFrenchandtheycanunderstandyou.
(Readamoredetailedexplanationof"adequateknowledge."(/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=567&top=5))Wemeasurehowwellyoucan
communicate(/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=568&top=5)usingtheCanadianLanguageBenchmarks(CLB)/Niveauxdecomptence
linguistiquecanadien(NCLC).

Admissibility
SeeInadmissibility.

Adoption
Aprocesswherebyapersonbecomesamemberofanotherfamily.Thisprocessmustcreateagenuineparentchildrelationshipthatpermanently
seversthelegaltiestothechildsbiologicalparentsorguardians.

Affidavit
Adocumentbecomesanaffidavitwhenapersonsignsthedocument,inthepresenceofanauthorizedperson,aftertakinganoaththatwhatthe
documentsaysistrueandaccurate.

Anaffidavitisoftenusedinordertoverifythatatranslationofadocumentaccuratelyreflectswhatisstatedintheoriginallanguageofthedocument.

Age
WhenreferringtotheageofapermanentortemporaryresidentinCICsstatisticalinformation:

forpermanentresidents,theirageatlandingand
fortemporaryresidents,theirageatentryoronDecember1.
Annulment
Adeclarationthatamarriageisnotvalid.GroundsforannulmentinCanadaincludeanycasewhenoneorbothpartieswerenotinapositiontolegally
marry.

Applicant
ApersonwhosubmitsanapplicationunderanyofCICsbusinesslines.

Applicationkit
SeeApplicationpackage.

ApplicationforLeaveandJudicialReview
AnindividualwhohasreceivedadecisionfromCIC,andwhothinksthatanerrorwasmadeinthatdecision,cangenerallyapplytotheFederalCourtof
CanadaandaskthattheCourtreviewthedecision.MakinganapplicationtotheCourtforareviewofthedecisioniscalledanApplicationforLeaveand
JudicialReview.AreviewmeansthattheCourtwillreadthedecisionanddecidewhetheranerrorwasmadeornot.IftheCourtdecidesthatCICmade
anerror,itwillusuallymeanthatCIChastomakeanewdecision.

Formoreinformationonthisprocess,seeApplytotheFederalCourtofCanadaforjudicialreview(/english/refugees/inside/appealsreview.asp).

Applicationpackage
Apackageincludingallforms,supportingdocumentsandinformationneededtofilloutapplicationsforvisas,permanentresidenceandcitizenship.Itis
sometimesreferredtoasanapplicationkit.

Approvedinprinciple/Approvalinprinciple(AIP)
Yourapplicationisapprovedinprinciple(AIP)if:

youhavereceivedaletterfromIRCCstatingthatyoumeetthepermanentresidenceeligibilityrequirements,but
youstillhavetopassthemedical,securityandbackgroundchecksforyouand,ifneeded,yourfamilymembers.

Arrangedemployment
ArrangedemploymentiswhenyouhaveajobofferfromaCanadianemployerinaNOC0,A,orBjobforacontinuousperiodofoneyearormore.In
somecases,thisjoboffermustbeapprovedbyEmploymentandSocialDevelopmentCanada/ServiceCanada.

See:Validjoboffer

ApplicationSupportCentre(ASC)
ASCsprovidebiometriccollectionservicesforCanadiantemporaryresidentvisaapplicantsintheUnitedStates.ASCsdonotacceptimmigrantor
temporaryresidentapplicationsandcannotprovideinformationorapplicationhandlingservices.FindyourclosestASC
(https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices.type&OfficeLocator.office_type=ASChttp://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/offices/vac.asp).

Assessment
1.Theidentificationandmeasurementoflearning,credentials,andotherformsofqualificationsrequiredforentryintoprogramsofstudyor
occupations(assessmentmayincludetesting,examinations,orotherprescribedactivities).
2.Aprocessthatmeasuresknowledge,skillsandaptitudes.

Assessmenttools
ReferstoguidelinesusedbycitizenshipjudgesforevaluatingapersonsEnglishorFrenchproficiencytohelpdetermineifsomeonemeetscitizenship
languagerequirements.

Asylum
Protectionthatisofferedtopersonswithawellfoundedfearofpersecutionbasedonrace,religion,nationality,politicalopinionormembershipina
particularsocialgroup,aswellasthoseatriskoftortureorcruelandunusualtreatmentorpunishment.

Authorizedrepresentative
Relatedterms:
Representative
Designatedrepresentative
Accreditedcitizenshiporimmigrationconsultant

Therearetwotypesofauthorizedrepresentatives:CompensatedandUncompensated.

Individualswhoreceivesomeformofcompensationfortheirservices(eitherdirectlyorindirectly):Compensatedauthorizedrepresentativesmust
bemembersingoodstandingwiththeiraccreditedregulatorybody.
Individualswhoprovidesuchservicesforfree:Examplesoftheseindividualsincludefriends,familymembers,andvolunteersorstaffmembersat
charitableornongovernmentalorganizations(NGOS).

SeeCitizenshipandImmigrationconsultant,Representative.
Backgroundcheck
Aproceduretoverifythemedical,criminaland/orsecuritybackgroundofvisaapplicantstoensuretheyareadmissibletoCanada.
SeePolicecertificate,Medicalexamination.

BiometricInstructionLetter
Ifyouneedtogiveyourbiometrics,CICsendsabiometricinstructionlettertoyoueitherbymailorthroughyourMyCICaccountwhenyouapply.You
mustbringapapercopyofthisletterwithyoutoavisaapplicationcentre(VAC)orapplicationsupportcentre(ASC)whenyougoinpersontogiveyour
biometrics.ThelettercontainsbarcodesthatmustbescannedbytheVACorASCbeforeyoucangiveyourbiometrics.Examplesofthetypesofbar
codesinabiometricinstructionletter:

Borderservicesofficer
OfficersoftheCanadaBorderServicesAgency(CBSA),afederalgovernmentagency,whohavethelegalauthoritytodecidewhocanenterandremain
inCanada.Theseofficershavemanyofthesamepowersaspoliceofficers,includingtherighttoconductsearches,makearrests,andseizedocuments
orgoods.

Bridgingprogram
Aprogramthathelpstrainedworkersaddressthegapbetweentheknowledgeandexperiencetheyhaveandwhattheyneedtoworkintheirpreferred
joborfield.

Britishsubjectstatus
Relatedterm:
Britishsubject

Before1947,peoplebornornaturalizedinCanadahadthestatusofBritishsubjects.BritishsubjectstatusisrelevantindeterminingCanadian
citizenshipunderthe1947CanadianCitizenshipAct.

SeeNaturalization.

Business
Aprivatesectorenterpriseengagedinthepursuitofprofit.

Businessclass
Relatedterm:
Businessimmigrant

Acategorythatincludesinvestors,entrepreneursandselfemployedpeople.Apersonmaybecomeapermanentresidentinthiscategorybasedonhis
orherabilitytoeconomicallyestablishinCanada.

Theapplicantsspouseorcommonlawpartner,andtheapplicantsdependentchildren,arealsoincludedinthiscategory.

Businessexperience
Businessexperienceisatermusedwhenapplyingtoimmigrateasanentrepreneurtodescribe:

atleasttwooneyearperiodsofexperienceintheperiodfromfiveyearsbeforetheapplicationdatetothedayadecisionismadeonthe
application.

Experiencemusthavetodowith:

managingandcontrollingapercentageofequityinaqualifyingbusiness

Orwhenapplyingtoimmigrateasaninvestortodescribe:

atleasttwooneyearperiodsofexperienceintheperiodfromfiveyearsbeforetheapplicationdatetothedayadecisionismadeonthe
application.

Experiencemusthavetodowith:

managingandcontrollingapercentageofequityinaqualifyingbusinessor
experiencemanagingatleast5fulltimejobequivalentsperyearinabusinessor
acombinationofoneyearmanagingandcontrollingapercentageofequityinaqualifyingbusinessandoneyearofexperiencemanagingatleast
5fulltimejobequivalentsinabusiness.
Businessvisitor
Relatedterm:
Businesstraveller

Apersonwho:

comestoCanadatotakepartininternationalbusinessortradeactivities,
hasnointenttoentertheCanadianlabourmarket,and
worksforandispaidbyacompanyoutsideCanadaorbyaforeigngovernment.

Canadianbusiness
Anorganizationthat:

isincorporatedunderCanadianorprovinciallawandhasanongoingoperationinCanada,or
hasanongoingoperationinCanadathatcangeneraterevenue,isrunforprofit,andhasamajorityofvotingorownershipinterestsheldby
Canadiancitizens,permanentresidentsorCanadianbusinesses,or
wascreatedbythelawsofCanadaoraprovince.

Canadiancitizen
ApersondescribedasacitizenundertheCitizenshipAct.Thismeansapersonwho:

isCanadianbybirth(eitherborninCanadaorbornoutsideCanadatoaCanadiancitizenwhowasthemselveseitherborninCanadaorgranted
citizenship)or
hasappliedforagrantofcitizenshipandhasreceivedCanadiancitizenship(naturalization).

CanadianExperienceClass
AnimmigrationcategorythatallowsforeignworkersorrecentlygraduatedinternationalstudentsworkinginCanadatoapplyforpermanentresidence.

CanadianLanguageBenchmarks(CLB)
TheCanadianstandardusedtodescribe,measureandrecognizeEnglishlanguageabilityofadultimmigrantsandprospectiveimmigrantswhoplanto
liveandworkinCanada,orapplyforcitizenship.TheNiveauxdecomptencelinguistiquecanadiens(NCLC)isusedtoassessabilitiesintheFrench
language.

CaseProcessingCentre(CPC)
AnofficeinCanadathathandlescitizenshipandimmigrationapplications.Theyarenotopentothepublic.

ThereareCPCsin:Sydney,NovaScotiaMississauga,OntarioVegreville,AlbertaandOttawa,Ontario.

CEGEPs(collgedenseignementgnraletprofessionnel)
InQuebec,aneducationalinstitutionthatofferspreuniversityclasses(twoyears)takenbetweensecondaryschoolanduniversity,ortechnicalcareer
programs(threeyears)thatpreparestudentstoenterthejobmarket.

CentralizedIntakeOffice
AnofficeinSydney,NovaScotiathathandlesapplicationsfromseveralpermanentimmigrationprograms,includingfederalskilledworkersand
immigrantinvestors.

Ourstaffwillmakesureyourapplicationiscomplete,thensendittothevisaofficeresponsibleforyourhomecountry.

CertificatdacceptationduQubec(CAQ)
Relatedterm:
Certificateofacceptance

AdocumentfromQuebecsMinistredelImmigration,delaDiversitetdelInclusion(MIDI)that:

atemporaryworkermustapplyfortheCAQwithMIDIbeforecomingtoQuebectowork,or
aforeignstudentmustapplyfortheCAQwithMIDIbeforecomingtostudyinQuebec.

CertificateofCanadiancitizenship
Relatedterms:
Citizenshipcertificate
Proofofcitizenship
Citizenshipcard

ACanadiancitizenshipcertificateisadocumentthatprovesthatapersonisaCanadiancitizen.

Thecitizenshipcertificateisan8x11papersizecertificatethatcontains:

yourcertificatenumber
yourUniqueClientIdentifier
 yourname
yourdateofbirth
yourgender
youreffectivedateofCanadiancitizenship

BeforeFebruary1,2012,CICissuedplasticwalletsizedcitizenshipcardsasproofofcitizenship.Thesecardscamewithcommemorativecertificates.
Thecommemorativecertificatescannotbeusedasproofofcitizenship.

Certificateofnomination
Relatedterm:
Nominationcertificate

AcertificateissuedbyaprovinceorterritorythatrecommendsaforeignnationalforpermanentresidenceundertheProvincialNomineeProgram.

Certificateofrenunciation
Relatedterm:
Renunciationcertificate

AdocumentissuedbytheGovernmentofCanadathatconfirmssomeoneisnolongeracitizenofCanadabecausetheyhavewillinglygivenuptheir
Canadiancitizenship.

Certification
Aformaldocumentthatrecognizesapersonsskills,knowledgeandabilities.

CertifiedEnglishorFrenchtranslations
Tohaveacopycertified,anauthorizedpersonmustcomparetheoriginaldocumenttothephotocopyandmustprintthefollowingonthephotocopy:

"Icertifythatthisisatruecopyoftheoriginaldocument"
thenameoftheoriginaldocument
thedateofthecertification
hisorhername
hisorherofficialpositionortitleand
hisorhersignature

Certifiedphotocopy
Aphotocopyofanoriginaldocument.Itmustbereadableandcertifiedasatruecopyoftheoriginalbyanauthorizedperson.Thepersoncomparesthe
documentsandmarksonthephotocopy:

theirnameandsignature
theirpositionortitle
thenameoftheoriginaldocument
thedatetheycertifiedthedocument
thephraseIcertifythatthisisatruecopyoftheoriginaldocument.

Certifiedtranslator
AmemberingoodstandingofaprovincialorterritorialorganizationoftranslatorsandinterpretersinCanada.

Citizen
Tobeacitizenofacountrymeansthatapersonwaseitherborninthatcountry(inmostcases)orhasbeengrantedcitizenshipbythatcountry.

Citizenship
Staterecognizednationalityandtheduties,rights,responsibilitiesandprivilegesthatcomewithit.

CitizenshipandImmigrationconsultant
Relatedterms:
CitizenshipandImmigrationrepresentative
Designatedrepresentative

Apersonwhoprovidessupport,adviceorhelp,forafeeorotherconsideration,tosomeonewhowantstoimmigratetoCanadaorobtainCanadian
citizenship.Canadascitizenshipandimmigrationlawsdefinerepresentativesandthetermsoftheirservices.Thispersondoesnotworkforthe
Canadiangovernment.
SeeAuthorizedrepresentative.

Citizenshipceremony
Relatedterms:
Clerkoftheceremony
Presidingofficer
ThefinalstepinbecomingaCanadiancitizen.Duringthecitizenshipceremony,candidatesforcitizenshipaged14andovermusttaketheoathof
citizenship.Aftertakingtheoath,newcitizensreceivetheircitizenshipcertificate.
SeeOathofcitizenship,Citizenshipjudge.

CitizenshipCommission
TheadministrativebodythatconsistsofallcitizenshipjudgesworkingacrossCanada.

Citizenshiphearing
Aninterviewwithacitizenshipjudgetoassesswhetheranapplicantmeetstherequirementsforagrantofcitizenship.

Citizenshipjudge
Anindependent,quasijudicialdecisionmakerwhomakeslegaldecisionsonresidencyrequirementsforsomeadultcitizenshipapplications,administers
theoathofCanadiancitizenship,andpresidesovercitizenshipceremonies.
SeeCitizenshipceremony,Oathofcitizenship.

Citizenshipofficer
Relatedterm:
Clerkoftheceremony

ApersonwhoisauthorizedbytheMinisterundertheCitizenshipActtoperformthedutiesofacitizenshipofficerprescribedbytheCitizenship
Regulationssuchas:

reviewingapplicationstoseewhetherapersonmeetstherequirementsforCanadiancitizenshipandconductinginterviewsandhearingswith
applicantsasnecessary,
planninginterviews,tests,hearingsandcitizenshipceremonies,
grantingcitizenshiptoapplicants,and
providingwrittendecisionofrefusaltoapplicantsincludingreasonsfortherefusal.

Citizenshiptest
CitizenshipapplicantsmustprovetheirknowledgeofCanadabytakingacitizenshiptest.

Applicantsbetweentheagesof14and64(onthedateofapplication)musttakethetest.Itisusuallyawrittentest,butissometimestakenorallywitha
citizenshipofficer.

Thetestassessesanapplicantsknowledgeof:

Canada,and
Theresponsibilitiesandprivilegesofcitizenship.

ClientIdentificationNumber
AClientIdentificationNumber(ClientID),alsoreferredtoasaUniqueClientIdentifierNumber(UCI),canbefoundonanyofficialdocumentissuedbya
CitizenshipandImmigrationCanadaoffice,CaseProcessingCentreoraCanadianvisaofficeoutsideCanada.

AClientIDconsistsoffournumbers,ahyphen()andfour(4)morenumbers(example:00000000).

ApersonwhohasneverdealtwithCitizenshipandImmigrationCanadabeforewillnothaveaClientIdentificationNumber.

College
Relatedterms:
Communitycollege
Collgedenseignementgnraletprofessionnel(CEGEP)inQuebec

Astageofhighereducationthatcomesafterhighschool.Collegesofferonetothreeyeardiplomaprogramsinacademicortechnicalsubjects.

Commitmentcertificate
Acertificateofcommitmentissuedtoanapplicantbyadesignatedprivatesectorbusiness,confirmingtheiragreement.

Commonlawpartner
Relatedterm:
Commonlawspouse

Apersonwhohasbeenlivingwithanotherpersoninaconjugalrelationshipforatleastoneyear.Thetermreferstooppositesexandsamesex
relationships.

Seethelegaldefinitionofcommonlawpartner(http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR2002227/page1.html#h1).

Communitysponsor
AnorganizationthatsponsorsrefugeesbuthasnotsignedaformalagreementwithCIC.Acommunitysponsorwouldnormallysponsorfewerrefugees
thanaSponsorshipAgreementHolder(SAH).

Competency
Ameasurableskillorsetofskills,levelofknowledge,andbehaviouralpracticesobtainedthroughformal,nonformalorinformallearning.

Comprehensiverankingsystem(CRS)
ApointsbasedsystemusedtoassessandscoreacandidatesExpressEntryprofile(/english/immigrate/skilled/profile.asp)torankthemagainstother
candidatesinthepool.TheCRSwillassesstheprofileinformationcandidatessubmit,includingskills,workexperience,languageability,educationand
otherfactors(/english/expressentry/criteriacrs.asp).

See:ExpressEntryprofile(/english/immigrate/skilled/profile.asp)

Confirmationofpermanentresidencenumber(IMM5292or5509)
YouwillfindthisnumberintoprightcornerofyourConfirmationofPermanentResidencedocumentissuedtoyoubyaCitizenshipandImmigration
Canadaofficeorbythevisaofficewhereyousubmittedyourapplication.YourConfirmationofPermanentResidencenumberstartswitha"T"followed
byninenumbers.(Example:T100000000).

Conjugalpartner
ApersonoutsideCanadawhohashadabindingrelationshipwithasponsorforatleastoneyearbutcouldnotlivewiththeirpartner.Thetermrefersto
bothoppositesexandsamesexrelationships.

Constituentgroup
Relatedterm:
Sponsorshipagreementholder(SAH)

Agroupauthorizedinwritingbyasponsorshipagreementholder(SAH)tosponsorrefugeesundertheSAH'ssponsorshipagreement.Anexampleofa
ConstituentGroupisalocalcongregationorchapterofanationalchurchororganizationthatisaSAH.

Consulate
Relatedterm:
Mission

AGovernmentofCanadaofficethathelpsCanadiancitizensabroad.TheyareledbyaConsulGeneral.Theyarenotlocatedincapitalcities.Some
consulatesalsoprovideimmigrationservices.

Examples:ConsulateGeneralofCanadainNewYorkCityConsulateGeneralofCanadainHongKong.

SeeVisaoffice,Highcommission,Embassy.

Contactinformation
Apersonsname,mailingaddress,telephonenumber,emailaddressandfaxnumber,ifany.

Seethelegaldefinitionofcontactinformation(http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR2002230/page1.html#h1).

Conventionrefugee
Apersonwhoisoutsideoftheirhomecountryorcountrywheretheynormallyliveandfearsreturningtothatcountrybecauseofawellfoundedfearof
persecutionforreasonsofrace,religion,nationality,membershipinaparticularsocialgrouporpoliticalopinion.
Conviction
Aconvictionoccurswhenapersonisfoundguiltyofanoffencebyacourtoflaworatribunal.

Coop/InternshipWorkPermit
ForeignstudentswhowishtoparticipateinacooporinternshipprograminaCanadianinstitutionmustapplyforaworkpermitaswellasastudy
permit.Tobeeligibleforthecoop/internshipworkpermitprogram,youmustmeetthefollowingconditions:
Youmusthaveavalidstudypermitorapplyfortheworkpermitinconjunctionwithastudypermit.
YourintendedemploymentmustbeanessentialandintegralpartofyourprogramofstudyinCanada.
Youremploymentmustbecertifiedaspartofyouracademicprogram,byaletterfromaresponsibleacademicofficialoftheinstitution.
Yourcooporinternshipemploymentcannotformmorethan50percentofthetotalprogramofstudy.

Cosponsor
Apersonororganizationthatpartnerswithaprivatesponsortoshareinthedeliveryofsettlementassistanceandsupporttoprivatelysponsored
refugees.CosponsorscanbefamilymembersofthesponsoredrefugeelivinginCanada.

Countryofcitizenship
Acountryofwhichapersonisacitizen.Apersonmaybeacitizenofmorethanonecountry.

Countryofnationality
Yourcountryofnationalityisyourcountryofcitizenship.

SeeCountryofcitizenship.

Countryofresidence
Thecountryapersonislivingin.Apersonscountryofresidencemaybedifferentfromtheircountryorcountriesofcitizenship.

CoursdelanguepourlesimmigrantsauCanada(CLIC)
FreeFrenchlanguagetrainingprogramsforadultnewcomerstoCanada.Theyarefundedbythefederalgovernmentanddeliveredbyschoolboards,
collegesandlocalorganizationsthatprovideservicestonewcomers.

Credentialassessmentservice
Aprovinciallymandatedorganization,suchasaregulatorybodyorapostsecondaryinstitution,thatisresponsibleforassessingtheportabilityof
foreigncredentials.

InCanada,provincialandterritorialgovernmentsareresponsibleforassessingandrecognizingcredentials.

Criminalinadmissibility
WhenapersonisnotallowedtoenterorstayinCanadabecausetheyhavecommittedorbeenconvictedofacrimeforwhichtheyhavenotreceiveda
recordsuspension(formerlyknownasapardon)orbeenrehabilitatedundertheImmigrationandRefugeeProtectionAct.Thecrimecouldhavebeen
committedand/ortheconvictionrenderedinoroutsideCanada.

SeeDeemedrehabilitation,Criminalrehabilitation,Recordsuspension.

Criminalrehabilitation
Relatedterm:
Overcomingcriminalinadmissibility

ThistermreferstoanapplicationprocessthatallowsapersonwhohascommittedorbeenconvictedofacrimeoutsideCanadatoenterorstayin
Canada.Rehabilitation,inthiscontext,undertheImmigrationandRefugeeProtectionAct,meansthatthepersonisnolongerconsideredinadmissible
toCanadaforaparticularcriminaloffence.

Apersoncanapplyforrehabilitationifatleastfiveyearshavepassedsincetheactwascommittedandallcriminalsentenceshavebeencompleted.In
ordertobeapprovedforrehabilitationtheapplicantmustshowthattheyleadastablelifeandarenotlikelytocommitmorecrimes.

SeeCriminalinadmissibility,Deemedrehabilitation,Recordsuspension,Rehabilitation.

Crownservant
PersonemployedinorwiththeCanadianArmedForces,thefederalpublicadministrationorthepublicserviceofaprovinceorterritory.Employmentas
alocallyengagedpersonisnotincluded.

Decisionletter
AnofficiallettersentbyCICadvisingyouofthedecisiononyourcaseandwhatyoumustdonext.

Deemedrehabilitation
ApersonwhohasbeenconvictedofacrimeoutsideCanadamaybecomeadmissibleorbedeemedrehabilitatedafter5or10yearshaspassed,
exceptincasesofseriouscriminality.Noapplicationisrequiredtobeconsideredfordeemedrehabilitation.Whethersomeonequalifiesfordeemed
rehabilitationdependsontheirindividualcircumstances.
SeeCriminalinadmissibility,Criminalrehabilitation,Recordsuspension,Rehabilitation.

Departureorder
AremovalorderissuedbyeitheraCanadaBorderServiceAgency(CBSA)officerortheImmigrationandRefugeeBoard(IRB)anindependent
administrativetribunalresponsiblefordecidingimmigrationandrefugeematters.

DepartureordersareissuedagainstpeoplewhohaveviolatedCanadasimmigrationlaw.ThepersonnamedonadepartureordermustleaveCanada
within30days.Iftheydonot,thedepartureorderbecomesadeportationorder.

SeeRemovals(http://www.cbsaasfc.gc.ca/media/factsfaits/051eng.html)onCBSAwebsite.

Dependant
Aspouse,commonlawpartnerordependentchildofapermanentresidentorprincipalapplicant.

Dependentchild
Achildwhodependsontheirparentforfinancialandothersupport.Asonordaughterisconsideredadependantoftheirparentwhenthechildis:
under19yearsold,anddoesnothaveaspouseorpartner,or
19yearsoldandover,andhasdependedlargelyontheparentsfinancialsupportsincebeforetheageof19becauseofaphysicalormental
condition.

ThedefinitionofadependentchildbeforeAugust1,2014was:

Achildwhodependsontheirparentforfinancialandothersupport.Asonordaughterisconsideredadependantoftheirparentwhenthechildis:

under22yearsold,anddoesnothaveaspouseorpartner,or
afulltimestudentonanongoingbasissincebeforetheageof22,andhasdependedlargelyonaparent'sfinancialsupportsincethattime,or
22yearsoldandover,and
becameaspouseorpartnerbeforetheageof22,and
hasbeenafulltimestudentonanongoingbasissincebeforetheageof22,and
hasdependedlargelyonaparent'sfinancialsupportsincetheybecameaspouseorpartner,or
22yearsoldandover,andhasdependedlargelyontheparent'sfinancialsupportsincebeforetheageof22becauseofaphysicalormental
condition.

Deportationorder
AremovalorderissuedbyeitheraCBSAofficerortheIRB.

ItrequiresthepersontoleaveCanadaduetoseriousoffencesorseriousviolationsofCanadasimmigrationlaw.ApersondeportedfromCanadamay
notreturnwithoutwrittenpermissionfromtheMinisterofCitizenshipandImmigration.

SeeRemovals(http://www.cbsaasfc.gc.ca/media/factsfaits/051eng.html)onCBSAwebsite.

Designatedangelinvestorgroup
AprivatebusinessthatisamemberoftheNationalAngelCapitalOrganization(NACO)andwhichhasbeendesignatedbytheMinister.

DesignatedLearningInstitution
AschoolinCanadathatastudentmustbeacceptedatbeforetheycanqualifyforastudypermit(asofJune1,2014).Consultthedesignatedlearning
institutionslist(/english/study/studyinstitutionslist.asp)(DLI)forschoolsatthepostsecondarylevel.

AllprimaryandsecondaryschoolsinCanadaareautomaticallydesignated.Theydonotappearonthelist.Applicantsforprimaryandsecondary
schoolsdonotneedaDLInumberontheirapplicationform.

SeeSecondaryschool(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#school).

Designatedthirdpartylanguagetest
Thisisatestthatshowsifyourlanguageskillsmeetourstandardsineachofthesefourcategories:

listening,
speaking,
reading,and/or
writing.

Thereareagenciesdesignatedtogivethetests.ThismeanstheyareapprovedtodosobyCIC.

Thesetestsaregiventoseeifyoumeetthelanguagerequirementforyourapplication.

Designatedventurecapitalfund
AprivatebusinessthatisamemberoftheCanadianVentureCapitalandPrivateEquityAssociation(CVCA)andthathasbeendesignatedbythe
Minister.

Directroutetocitizenship
AprocessforachildbornandadoptedabroadbyCanadianparentstobegrantedcitizenshipwithouthavingtoimmigratetoCanadafirst.

DiscoverCanada
DiscoverCanada:TheRightsandResponsibilitiesofCitizenshipistheonlyofficialstudyguideforthecitizenshipknowledgetest.Anapplicantshould
studyfromthisguidetoprepareforthecitizenshiptest.Ifanapplicantusesanyothermaterialtoprepareforthecitizenshiptest,theydosoattheirown
risk.

Divorced
Divorcedmeansthatacourthasgrantedadivorceandthatamarriagehasended.Thetwopeoplearenolongermarried.

Dualormultiplecitizenship
Whenapersonisalegalcitizenoftwoormorecountriesatthesametime.DualormultiplecitizenshipispermittedunderCanadascitizenshiplaws.
Someothercountriesdonotallowit.

EconomicClass
Relatedterm:
Economicimmigrant

AcategoryofimmigrantsselectedfortheirskillsandabilitytocontributetoCanadaseconomy.EconomicClassimmigrantsincludeskilledworkers,
provincialandterritorialnominees,businessimmigrants,QuebecskilledworkersandCanadianExperienceClassmembers,andtheirspousesand
dependants.

Educationalcredential
Anydiploma,degree,ortradeorapprenticeshipcredentialissuedforcompletingaprogramofstudyortrainingatarecognizededucationalortraining
institution.

Educationalinstitution
Relatedterm:
PostSecondarySchool

Anorganizationthatoffersacademic,technicalorvocationalprogramsofstudy,likeauniversityorcollege.

ElectronicTravelAuthorization(eTA)
eTAisanewentryrequirementforvisaexemptforeignnationalstravellingtoCanadabyair.ItwillallowCanadatoscreentravellersbeforetheyarrive.
Theauthorizationiselectronicallylinkedtoyourpassportandisvalidforfiveyearsoruntilyourpassportexpires,whichevercomesfirst.

Elementaryschool
Relatedterms:
Primaryschool
Gradeschool
Publicschool
Middleschool

Aninstitutionthatprovideseducationalprogramsforchildren,startingbetweentheagesoffourandsix.Yearsofinstructionusuallyincludekindergarten
(thelowestlevel)andgrades1through6(iftheareahasmiddleschools)orgrades1through8.

Eligible
Tobeeligibleforsomethingmeanstobequalifiedtoparticipateorbechosen.

Embassy
Relatedterm:
Mission

AGovernmentofCanadaofficeledbyanAmbassador.TheyarelocatedinthecapitalcityofanonCommonwealthcountry.Theyusuallyprovidethe
fullrangeofconsularandtradeservices.

InCommonwealthcountries,EmbassiesarecalledHighCommissionsandareledbyaHighCommissioner.

SomeEmbassiesandHighCommissionsalsoprovideimmigrationservices.

Examples:theEmbassyofCanadainFrance,ParisandtheHighCommissionofCanadatotheUnitedKingdominLondon

SeeHighcommission,Consulate,Visaoffice

eMedical
AnonlinetoolthatdoctorsapprovedbyCitizenshipandImmigrationCanada(CIC)todomedicalexamsusetorecordandsendImmigrationMedical
Exam(IME)resultstoCIC.Itismoreaccurate,convenientandfasterthanpaperbasedprocessing.
Emergencyservices
Publicsupportavailableimmediatelyifthereisadangeroussituationcausedbyfire,ahealthcrisisorcriminalactivity.Theseservicesmayinclude
police,firedepartmentand/orambulanceservices,and/oralocalemergencyhotline.

Employerspecificworkpermit
Atypeofworkpermit(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#work_permit)thatindicates:
thenameoftheemployerapersoncanworkfor,
howlongapersoncanwork,and
thelocationwhereapersoncanwork(ifapplicable).

Apersonwhoholdsthistypeofworkpermitcanonlyworkfortheemployerforthelengthoftimespecified,andifapplicable,atthelocationshownon
thepermit.

Englishasasecondlanguage(ESL)
Relatedterms:
Englishlanguageservicesforadults
Englishlanguagetraining
Englishasanadditionallanguageprogram

AprogramusedtoteachEnglishtononnativespeakers.ESLisusuallytaughtinasettingwhereEnglishisthedominantlanguage.

Enhancedlanguagetraining(ELT)
Aprogramthatprovidesadultnewcomerswithadvanced,jobspecificlanguagetraininginEnglishorFrench.ELTalsousesmentoring,jobplacements
andotherwaystohelpnewcomersfindwork.

Entrepreneur
AnimmigrantadmittedtoCanadawho:
hasbusinessexperience,and
hasalegallyobtainednetworthofatleastC$300,000.

Asaconditionofmaintainingpermanentresidentstatusasanentrepreneur,thepersonalsoagreesto:

controlatleastonethirdoftheequityinaqualifyingCanadianbusiness,
activelymanagethebusiness,and
createatleastonefulltimejobforaCanadiancitizenorpermanentresident.

Excessivedemand
Whenapersonsexistingmedicalconditioncouldplaceademandonhealthorsocialservicesthatwouldlikely:
costmoretotreatthanthecostofcaringforanaverageCanadianor
interferewithtimelyservicestoCanadiancitizensorpermanentresidents.

Seethelegaldefinitionofexcessivedemand(http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/SOR2002227/page1.html#codese:1ss:_1_
df:CODEFARDEAUEXCESSIF).

Exclusionorder
AremovalorderissuedbyeitheraCanadaBorderServiceAgency(CBSA)officerortheImmigrationandRefugeeBoard(IRB).

Usually,apersonremovedduetoanexclusionordercannotreturntoCanadaforoneyearwithoutwrittenpermission.Peopleissuedexclusionorders
formisrepresentationcannotreturnforfiveyearswithoutwrittenpermission.

SeeRemovals(http://www.cbsaasfc.gc.ca/securitysecurite/violationinfractioneng.html#s4)onCBSAwebsite

ExpressEntry
Anelectronicsystemtomanageapplicationsfortheseimmigrationprograms:

theFederalSkilledWorkerProgram(/english/immigrate/skilled/applywho.asp)
theFederalSkilledTradesProgram(/english/immigrate/trades/applywho.asp)
theCanadianExperienceClass(/english/immigrate/cec/applywho.asp)or
aportionoftheprovincialnomineeprogram.

Facilitator
Afacilitatorisafinancialinstitutionthat:
isapprovedbyCIC
isamemberoftheCanadaDepositInsuranceCorporation(CDIC)(http://www.cdic.ca/?id=100)
helpsimmigrantinvestorsmakeandredeemtheirinvestments.

Falserepresentation
SeeMisrepresentation

FamilyClass
AnimmigrationcategorythatincludesanyfamilymemberssponsoredtocometoCanadabyaCanadiancitizenorpermanentresident.

Familymembers
Anapplicantsclosestrelatives,inthecontextofanapplicationtoCIC.Itisdefinedasaspouseorcommonlawpartner,dependentchildren,andtheir
dependentchildren.

Federalskilledworker
Animmigrantselectedasapermanentresidentbasedontheireducation,workexperience,knowledgeofEnglishand/orFrench,andothercriteriathat
havebeenshowntohelppeoplesucceedintheCanadianlabourmarket.Spousesandchildrenareincludedontheapplication.

Quebecselectsitsownskilledworkers,undertheQuebecskilledworkerClass(QSW).

Financialsupport
Financialsupportmeansthatyoursponsorprovidesmoneytohelpyoupayforfood,livingexpenses,etc.

ForeignCredentialRecognition(FCR)
Foreigncredentialrecognitionistheprocessofverifyingthattheeducationandjobexperienceobtainedinanothercountryareequaltothestandards
establishedforCanadianprofessionals.Credentialrecognitionforregulatedoccupationsismainlyaprovincialresponsibilitythathasbeendelegatedin
legislationtoregulatorybodies.

Foreignnational
ApersonwhoisnotaCanadiancitizenorapermanentresident.

Seethelegaldefinitionofforeignnational(http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I2.5/page1.html#h2).

Foreignstudent
Relatedterm:
Internationalstudent

AtemporaryresidentwhoislegallyauthorizedtostudyinCanadaonatemporarybasis.Withafewexceptions,foreignstudentsmustgetastudypermit
iftheyaretakingacourseofstudiesthatwilllastformorethansixmonths.
Seethelegaldefinitionofastudent(http://laws.justice.gc.ca/eng/SOR2002227/page1.html#codese:1ss:_1_df:CODEETUDIANT).

Foreignworker
AtemporaryresidentwhoislegallyallowedtoworkinCanadaonatemporarybasis.

Francophone
Relatedterm:
Frenchspeakingperson

PersonwhosemothertongueisFrenchorwhosefirstofficiallanguageinCanadaisFrencheventhoughthatpersonsmothertongueisalanguage
otherthanFrenchorEnglish.

Frenchasasecondlanguage(FSL)
AprogramusedtoteachFrenchtononnativespeakers.FSLisusuallytaughtinasettingwhereFrenchisthedominantlanguage.

Fulltimeequivalentstudies
Educationcompletedonaparttimeoracceleratedbasisthatisequivalenttoafulltimeprogramofstudy.

Fulltimejobequivalent
Definedas1,560hoursofpaidemploymentperyear.

Fulltimestudy
Relatedterm:
Fulltimestudent

Studyschedulewithaminimumnumberofhours(15hours)ofinstructionperweekduringtheacademicyear,includinganyperiodoftraininginthe
workplacethatispartofthestudentsstudies.Studentsshouldasktheirschoolwhatthefulltimerequirementsare.

Fulltimestudystatus
Fulltimestudystatusisdeterminedbyyoureducationalinstitution(school).Itisusuallybasedonthenumberofclassroomhoursperweek.

GeneralAgreementonTradeinServices(GATS)
Relatedterm:
Internationalagreement
AninternationalagreementthatprovidesthebasisforgivingsomeforeignbusinesspeopleeasieraccesstoCanada.Manycountriesthataremembers
oftheWorldTradeOrganizationhavesignedtheagreement.

Threekindsofbusinesspeoplearecovered:

businessvisitors,
professionalsand
employeestransferredwithinacompanytoworkinCanada.

Givenname(s)
Agivenname(s)isthename(s)giventoapersonatbirthandbywhichthatpersonismostcommonlyreferredto.Apersonsgivenname(s)includeshis
orherfirstnameandmiddlename.Forexample:IfapersonsnameisMarkPaulJenkins,hisgivennamesareMarkPaul.
Apersonmayhaveoneormoregivennames.

Governmentassistedrefugee
ApersonwhoisoutsideCanadaandhasbeendeterminedtobeaConventionrefugeeandwhoreceivesfinancialandothersupportfromthe
GovernmentofCanadaorProvinceofQuebecforuptooneyearaftertheirarrivalinCanada.

GARsareselectedfromapplicantsreferredbytheUnitedNationsHighCommissionerforRefugees(UNHCR)andotherreferralorganizations.

Grantofcitizenship
SeeNaturalization.

Groupoffive
AgroupoffiveormoreCanadiancitizensorpermanentresidents,eachofwhomisatleast18yearsofage,whoagreetoworktogethertosponsora
refugee.

Guarantor
Aguarantorisapersonwhocanconfirmyouridentityandtheinformationyouhaveprovided.Ifyoudonothaveaguarantorwhohasknownyouforat
leasttwo(2)years,youmustcompleteaStatutoryDeclarationinLieuofGuarantor.

Healthcard
AdocumentthatallowsapersontoreceivepublichealthcareinaCanadianprovinceorterritory.Newcomerscanapplyforahealthcardwhenthey
arriveinCanada.
SeeHealthinsurance.

Healthinsurance
ACanadianprovincialorterritorialgovernmentprogramthatpaysforessentialhealthservicesprovidedbydoctors,hospitalsandcertainnonphysician
practitioners.Newcomersmustapplytotheirprovincialorterritorialhealthinsuranceplantogetcoverageandahealthcard.
SeeHealthcard.

Seethelegaldefinitionofhealthcard(http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR2002227/page1.html#h1).

Highcommission
Relatedterm:
Mission

AGovernmentofCanadaoffice,isthesameasanembassy,butislocatedinthecapitalcityofaCommonwealthcountry.

Example:HighCommissionofCanadatotheUnitedKingdominLondon

SeeEmbassy,Visaoffice,Consulate.

Humanitarianandcompassionateapplication(H&C)
PeoplewhowouldnotnormallybeeligibletobecomepermanentresidentsofCanadamaybeabletoapplyonhumanitarianandcompassionate(H&C)
grounds.

(H&C)groundsapplytopeoplewithexceptionalcases.Factorsthatarelookedatinclude:

howsettledthepersonisinCanada,
generalfamilytiestoCanada,
thebestinterestsofanychildreninvolved,and
thedegreeofhardshipthattheapplicantwouldexperienceiftherequestisnotgrantedandtheymustleaveCanadainordertoapplyfor
permanentresidence.

(H&C)decisionmakerswillnotlookattheriskfactorsthatarelookedatinaninCanadarefugeeprotectionclaimorapreremovalriskassessment
(PRRA).Thesefactorswhichareoutsidethescopeofan(H&C)applicationincludepersecution,dangeroftortureorrisktolifeorriskofcrueland
unusualtreatmentorpunishment.
Identitycard
Acardusedtoprovewhosomeoneis.Itcanbeissuedbyagovernmentorbyarecognizedinternationalagency,suchastheUnitedNations.

Immigrationdocument
AnofficialdocumentissuedbyaCICorCanadaBorderServicesAgency(CBSA)office,CaseProcessingCentre(CPC)orCanadianvisaofficeoutside
Canada,suchasoneofthefollowing:
Immigrantvisaandrecordoflanding(IMM1000),
Confirmationofpermanentresidence(IMM5292),
Permanentresidentcard,
visitorrecord,
workpermit,
studypermitor
temporaryresidentpermit.

Immigrationofficer
AnofficerresponsiblefordecidingwhocanenterandstayinCanada.TheyusuallyworkatPortsofEntry(airports,landbordercrossings)oroneofour
officesinCanada.Theymaycheckdocumentsandinterviewapplicantstomakesureapplicationsareaccurate.

Immigrationstatus
Anoncitizenspositioninacountryforexample,permanentresidentorvisitor.

Impliedstatus
Ifavisitor,studentorforeignworkerappliestoextendtheirstatus,beforethatstatusexpires,theycanlegallyremaininCanadauntiladecisionismade
ontheapplication.Inthissituation,thepersonhasimpliedstatus.

Ingoodstanding
Referstoarepresentativewho:
islicensedandinsured,
isqualifiedtohelpyouthroughthelegalprocess,and
meetsthestandardsoflearning,competenceandprofessionalconduct.

Inprocess
WhenanapplicationthathasbeensenttoCIChasbeenopened,checkedforcompleteness,andanemployeehasbeguntoprocessit(enterintothe
computersystem,etc.).

Inadmissibility
Relatedterm:
Inadmissibleperson

WhenapersonisnotallowedtoenterorstayinCanada.Reasonscanincludesecurityconcerns,criminaloffences,humanrightsviolations,healthor
financialreasons,andfailuretocomplywithCanadasimmigrationlaws.

Indictableoffence
SeeOffence.

Individualrehabilitation
SeeCriminalrehabilitation.

Instructionguide
Instructionguidesaredocumentsthatprovide:
informationapersonmustknowaboutanapplicationbeforesendingittoCICand
helpwithfillingoutformsandrequiredsupportingdocuments.

TheseguidesarepostedontheCICwebsite.

Intercountryadoption
Relatedterm:
Internationaladoption

Alegaladoptionofachildresidinginanothercountrythatcomplieswiththelawsofboththesendingandreceivingcountries.

InternationalExperienceCanada(IEC)
Relatedterms:
Internationalyouthprogram
WorkingHolidayProgram
AyouthexchangeprogramallowingCanadians,18to35,toliveandworkinothercountries,generallyforuptooneyearatatime.Thereciprocityofthe
programallowsforyouthfromthesesamecountriestoliveandworkinCanadaforuptooneyear.

Internationalmedicalgraduate
ApersonwhohasgraduatedfromamedicalschoolnotaccreditedinCanada(bytheCommitteeonAccreditationofCanadianMedicalSchools)orin
theU.S.(bytheLiaisonCommitteeonMedicalEducation).ThistermincludesgraduatesofaU.S.schoolofosteopathicmedicineaccreditedbythe
AmericanOsteopathicAssociation.

InternationalMobilityProgram
ThisprogramletsemployershireorbringinforeignworkerswithoutaLabourMarketImpactAssessment(LMIA).Someworkersareexemptfromthe
LMIAprocess.ThisapplieswhentherearesharedbenefitsforCanadiansandotheradvantagesforCanada.

Thesepeoplecaninclude:

internationalstudentswhograduatedfromaCanadianschool
peopleworkinginCanadatemporarilyunderfreetradeagreements,suchasNAFTA
peopletakingpartinInternationalExperienceCanada
somepermanentresidentapplicantssettlinginCanadawhiletheirapplicationisfinalized,and
spousesofhighlyskilledforeignworkers.

SeeLabourMarketImpactAssessment(LMIA)

Internationalstudent
SeeForeignstudent.

Internship
Supervisedworkorschoolrelatedtrainingthatmaybeeitherpaidorunpaid.Internshippositionscanbefoundwithsomebusinesses,government
departmentsandnonprofitorganizations.InternshipscanhelpnewcomersgainCanadianworkexperience.

Intracompanytransferee
Relatedterms:
GeneralAgreementonTradeinServices
NorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement

AqualifiedemployeewhoistransferredwithinacompanytoworkinCanadaonatemporarybasis.

Investor
AtermusedtodescribeanimmigrantadmittedtoCanadawho:
hasbusinessexperience
hasalegallyobtainednetworthofatleastC$1,600,000,and
hasmadeaninvestmentofC$800,000

Invitationtoapply
WhenacandidatesprofileispulledfromInternationalExperienceCanada(/english/work/iec/index.asp)orExpressEntrypool
(/english/immigrate/skilled/pool.asp).Theythenhavealimitedtimetofilloutandsubmitanonlineapplication.

Invitationround
Aprocesswhereweinvitecandidatesfromapooltoapplyfor:

aworkpermitthroughInternationalExperienceCanada(/english/work/iec/index.asp)or
permanentresidencethroughExpressEntry(/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp).

Weholdtheseroundsonaregularbasis.

Seealso:Invitationtoapply,pool

IRCCoffice
AnofficeinCanadathatsupportsimmigration,citizenship,andsettlementprograms.Thistermdoesnotincludeportsofentryorcaseprocessing
centres.

LabourMarketImpactAssessment(LMIA)
ALabourMarketImpactAssessment(LMIA)isadocumentthatanemployerinCanadamustusuallygetbeforehiringaforeignworker.

ApositiveLMIAwillshowthatthereisaneedforaforeignworkertofillthejobandthatnoCanadianworkercandothejob.ApositiveLMIAis
sometimescalledaConfirmationletter.

IfyouneedanLMIA,youremployermustsendanapplicationtoEmploymentandSocialDevelopmentCanada(http://www.rhdcc
hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/home.shtml)(ESDC).
Labourmarketopinion(LMO)
SeeLabourMarketImpactAssessment

Landing
Relatedterm:
Interviewforfinaldetermination

ThefinalinterviewwithanimmigrationofficerateitheraportofentryoralocalCICofficewithinCanada,duringwhichanapplicantbecomesa
permanentresident.Thishappenswhenthepersonsignstheconfirmationofpermanentresidence.

Languageassessment
Anevaluationofapersonsreading,writing,listeningand/orspeakingabilitiesinEnglishorFrench.Thisisdonetoseeifyoumeetthelanguage
requirementforyourapplication.

Languagerequirement
Relatedterms:
AdequateLanguage

SometypesofapplicationsrequireyoutohaveacertainlevelofskillineitherEnglishorFrench.Theleveloflanguageabilityrequiredisdifferent,
dependingonthetypeofapplicationbeingsubmitted.

LanguageInstructionforNewcomerstoCanada(LINC)
FreeEnglishlanguagetrainingprogramsforadultnewcomerstoCanada.Theyarefundedbythefederalgovernmentanddeliveredbyschoolboards,
collegesandlocalorganizationsthatprovideservicestonewcomers.

Letterofintroduction
Adocumentsentfromavisaofficetoconfirmapprovalof:
astudypermit,or
aworkpermit,or
extendedstayforaparentorgrandparentfromacountrythatdoesnotrequirevisas(theSuperVisaprogram).

ApplicantsmustpresenttheletterwhentheyarriveinCanada.

Letterofinvitation
AletterfromapersoninCanadaonbehalfofafriendorfamilymemberwhowantstovisit.Thismaybehelpfulifthevisitorisfromacountrywhere
visasarerequiredtotraveltoandenterCanada.

Thelettershouldexplainhowtheyplantohelpthevisitorandwhethertheyhavethefinancialmeanstosupportthepersonduringalongervisit.

Letterofinvitationtodelegates
AletterthateventorganizersneedtogivedelegateswhentheyapplyforavisatocometoCanada.

Thelettershouldincludeinformationontheeventtoestablish:

thedelegatespurposeoftraveltoCanada,and
plansonceinCanada.

Thelettershouldalsoindicateiffinancialassistanceisgiventodelegates,suchasairlineticketsandaccommodations.

Letterofsupport
Aletterofsupportisgiventotheapplicantbythedesignatedangelinvestorgrouporventurecapitalfund.Itisproofthattheywillsupportyourbusiness
idea.

Levelofeducation
AselectionfactorundertheFederalSkilledWorkerProgramforwhichpointsareawarded.Itisbasedonthecertificate,diplomaordegreeobtained,
andthenumberofyearsofschooling.

Levelofstudy
TherearefivelevelsofstudyforforeignstudentsinCanada.Theyare:
Universities:Offerdegreegrantingprogramsattheundergraduate(bachelors)graduate(masters),andpostgraduate(doctoral,postdoctoral)
levels,andmayalsoofferprogramsleadingtocertificatesordiplomasinvariousacademicdisciplines.
Colleges:Offeracademicorprofessionaltrainingprogramsleadingtodiplomasorcertificates(includesCEGEPs(collgedenseignementgnral
etprofessionnel)inQuebec,whichisgenerallymandatorybeforeattendinguniversity).
Trade:NonuniversityeducationalinstitutionsinCanadathatoffervocationaltradesand/ortechnicalprograms(suchasvocationalinstitutions,or
privatecareercolleges).
Otherpostsecondary:Postsecondarystudiesthatarenotundertakenatuniversity,collegeortradeschool.Thisincludesstudiesatlanguage
institutionsandprivateinstitutions,andinuniversityqualifyingprograms.
Secondaryorless:IncludesprimaryandsecondaryschoolsinCanada.
 Other:Studiesthatcannotbeclassifiedatanyoftheabovelevelsofstudy.

Liveincaregiver
Relatedterm:
Nanny

Apersonwhoisqualifiedtoprovidecareforchildren,elderlypeopleorpeoplewithdisabilitiesinprivatehomeswithoutsupervision.Aliveincaregiver
mustliveintheprivatehomeoftheiremployerwhiletheyworkinCanada.

LocalCICoffice
Relatedterm:
Localoffice

ACICservicelocationinCanada.ThistermdoesnotincludeportsofentryorCPCs.

Lockedin
Informationthatislockedinduringtheimmigrationapplicationprocesswillnotchangeovertime.Forexample,inthecaseofanagelockin,ifyour
dependantchildsageislockedinat18thatwillbetheageonwhichhisorherdependencywillbeassessedforthepurposeoftheapplication,
regardlessofhowlongittakestoprocesstheapplication.

Lowincomecutoff(LICO)
Relatedterm:
Minimumnecessaryincome

IncomelevelssetoutbytheGovernmentofCanadawhereafamilyspendsahigherpercentageonnecessitiesthanotherfamilies.Afamilymustbe
abovethecutoffinorderto
sponsorafamilymembertoimmigratetoCanada,or
hostparentsorgrandparentsforanextendedstay.

Married
Marriedmeansthattwopeoplehavehadaceremonythatlegallybindsthemtoeachother.Thismarriagemustberecognizedunderthelawsofthe
countrywhereitwasperformedandunderCanadianlaw.

Medicalexamination
Relatedterms:
Medicalexam
Immigrationmedicalexam

Aphysicalexamination(thatcouldalsoincludelaboratory/radiologytestsdependingonage)performedbyaCICappointedmedicaldoctorthatall
immigrantsandsomevisitorsmustgothroughbeforetheyareallowedintoCanada.Anapplicantmustbeingoodhealthandhavenoconditionsor
illnessesthat:
wouldposeadangertoCanadiansor
beveryexpensivetotreatinCanada.

SeeBackgroundcheck,Policecertificate.

Medicalinadmissibility
WhenapersonisnotallowedtoenterCanadaforhealthrelatedreasons.Forinstance,thepersonmight:
poseadangertopublichealth,
poseadangertopublicsafetyor
placeexcessivedemandonhealthorsocialservices.

MemberoftheConventionRefugeesAbroadClass
Relatedterm:
Conventionrefugee

ApersonwhohasbeendeterminedtobeaConventionrefugeebyavisaofficeroutsideCanada.

MemberoftheCountryofAsylumClass
Apersonwhoisoutsidetheirhomecountryorthecountrywheretheynormallyliveandisseriouslyaffectedbycivilwar,armedconflict,oramassive
violationofhumanrights.

Middleschool
Relatedterms:
Gradeschool
Publicschool
Secondaryschool

Aninstitutionthatprovideseducationalprogramsforgrades7and8,inbetweenelementaryschoolandhighschool.
Minimumnecessaryincome
Relatedterm:
Lowincomecutoff

Theamountofincomeafamilymustearninorderto
sponsorafamilymembertoimmigratetoCanada,or
hostparentsorgrandparentsforanextendedstay.

Minorchild
Aminorchildisachildwhoisundertheageof18yearsintheprovincesofAlberta,Manitoba,Ontario,PrinceEdwardIsland,Quebecand
Saskatchewan.Inalltheotherprovincesitistheageof19years.

Misrepresentation
Whenapersonmakesfalsestatements,submitsfalseinformation,submitsfalseoraltereddocuments,orwithholdsinformationrelevanttotheir
applicationtoCIC.Thisisacrime.Documentscaninclude:
Passportsandtraveldocuments
Visas
Diplomas,degrees,andapprenticeshiportradepapers
Birth,marriage,finaldivorce,annulment,separationordeathcertificates
Policecertificates.

LyingonanapplicationorinaninterviewwithaCICofficerisalsoanoffenceundertheImmigrationandRefugeeProtectionActandtheCitizenshipAct.

MisrepresentationbarsapersonfrombeinggrantedCanadiancitizenshipforaperiodof5years.

Ifmisrepresentationisfoundtohaveoccurredaftersomeonebecomesacitizen,thiscanresultintherevocationoftheircitizenshipandthisindividual
mustwaittenyearsbeforetheycanbegrantedcitizenshipagain.

Multipleentryvisa
Relatedterms:
Touristvisa
Visitorvisa

AvisathatallowssomeonetoleaveandreenterCanadamorethanonceduringadefinedperiodoftime.
SeeTemporaryResidentVisa.

NationalOccupationalClassification(NOC)
TheNationalOccupationClassification(NOC)isalistofalltheoccupationsintheCanadianlabormarket.Itdescribeseachjobaccordingtoskilltype
andskilllevel.TheNOCisusedtocollectandorganizejobstatisticsandtoprovidelabourmarketinformation.Itisalsousedasabasisforcertain
immigrationrequirements.

Nativelanguage
Yournativelanguageistheoriginallanguagethatwastaughttoyouasachildandspokeninyourhouseholdwhilegrowingup.Itisalsoknownasyour
mothertongueorfirstlanguage.

Naturalization
Relatedterm:
Grantofcitizenship

TheformalprocessbywhichapersonwhoisnotaCanadiancitizencanbecomeaCanadiancitizen.Thepersonmustusuallybecomeapermanent
residentfirst.

Nonaccompanyingfamilymembers
Relatedterm:
Nonaccompanyingdependant

FamilymemberswhoaredependentontheprincipalapplicantbutwhoarenotimmigratingtoCanada.Theyincludeaspouseorcommonlawpartner,
dependentchildren,andthechildrenofadependentchild.

Thesepeoplemustbelistedontheprincipalapplicantsapplicationforpermanentresidence.Theyshouldhaveamedicalexamsotheycanremain
eligibleforsponsorshipatalaterdate.

Nonregulatedoccupation
Aprofessionoratradeyoucanworkinwithoutneedingalicence,certificateorregistration.80%ofjobsinCanadaarenonregulated.

NorthAmericanFreeTradeAgreement(NAFTA)
Relatedterm:
Intracompanytransferee

AnagreementbetweenCanada,theUnitedStatesandMexico.Underit,citizensofeachcountrycanentertheothermoreeasilyforbusiness.
NAFTAappliestofourtypesofbusinesspeople:

businessvisitors,
professionals,
peopletransferredwithinacompanytoworkinCanada,and
tradersandinvestors.

Oathofcitizenship
Adeclarationthatapersonwill:
beloyaltotheQueen,
obeyCanadaslawsandcustoms,and
fulfillthedutiesofaCanadiancitizen.

Inordertobecomecitizens,peopleaged14orovermusttaketheoath.RecitingtheoathisthefinalrequirementforCanadiancitizenship.

SeeCitizenshipceremony,Citizenshipjudge.

Offence
Relatedterm:
Crime

AnoffenceisanyviolationofaCanadianlaworact,whetherornotitoccursinCanada.Itcanincludeanythingfromtrespassingordamagingproperty
toimmigrationfraudorviolentcrime.Therearetwomaintypes:
SummaryoffencesThesearelessserious.Themaximumpenaltyforasummaryoffenceisusuallya$5,000fineand/orsixmonthsinjail.
IndictableoffencesThesearemoreseriousandincludetheftover$5,000,breakandenter,aggravatedsexualassaultandmurder.Maximum
penaltiesvaryandincludelifeinprison.Somehaveminimumpenalties.

Oneyearwindowprovision
ThisallowsresettledrefugeesinCanadatobereunitedwithimmediatefamilymembersthatarestilloverseas.Immediatefamilymembersarespouses,
commonlawpartnersanddependentchildren.Tobeeligibleforthisprovision,anapplicationmustbemadewithinoneyearoftheresettledrefugee
arrivinginCanada.

Openworkpermit
Atypeofworkpermit(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#work_permit)thatallowsapersontoworkforanyemployerinCanada,exceptforanemployer:
whoislistedasineligibleonthelistofemployerswhohavefailedtocomplywithconditions,or
who,onaregularbasis,offersstriptease,eroticdance,escortservicesoreroticmassages.

Original
Theactualpaperversionofadocument,notaphotocopyoranelectroniccopy.

Panelphysician
AmedicaldoctorappointedbyCICtoperformimmigrationmedicalexaminations.

Passmark(skilledworker)
Theminimumnumberofpointsanapplicantmustgetinordertoqualifyforselectionforprogramswithapointsgrid.Thepassmarkisdifferent
dependingontheprogram.
SeePoints

Passport
Anofficialtraveldocumentthatidentifiesthepersonwhoholdsitandshowstheircitizenship.Apassportgivestheholdertherighttoleaveandreturnto
thecountrythatissuedit.Apassportistheonlyreliabletraveldocumentthatallcountriesaccept.
SeeTraveldocument.

Permanentresident
Relatedterms:
Landedimmigrant
PR

ApersonwhohaslegallyimmigratedtoCanadabutisnotyetaCanadiancitizen.
Foramoredetaileddefinition,seethelegaldefinitionofpermanentresident(http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I2.5/page1.html#h2).

Permanentresidentcard
Relatedterms:
Mapleleafcard
PRcard
Awalletsizedplasticdocumentissuedtoallnewpermanentresidents(andtoexistingpermanentresidents,whenrequested)toconfirmtheirstatusin
Canada.Thecardincludesidentifyingdetailsandthesignatureofthepersonitwasissuedto.

Permanentresidentstatus
ThepositionofapersonwhohaslegallyimmigratedtoCanadabutisnotyetaCanadiancitizen.

Permanentresidentvisa
AdocumentissuedbyaCICvisaofficeoverseastoaforeignnational.ItallowsthatpersontotraveltoCanadatobecomeapermanentresident.

Personalnetworth
Relatedterms:
Networth
Netassets

Thefairmarketvalueofallassetsofanapplicantandtheirspouseorcommonlawpartner,minusthefairmarketvalueofalltheirliabilities.Generally,
thisfiguredoesnotincludepersonalassets,suchasjewelleryandautomobiles.

Physicalpresencerequirement(citizenship)
ForapplicantswhoapplyonorafterJune11,2015,thisistheamountoftimeapermanentresidentmustbephysicallypresentinCanadatobeeligible
foragrantofCanadiancitizenship.

Adultsmust,sincebecomingapermanentresident,bephysicallypresentinCanadaforatleast1,460daysinthesixyearsimmediatelybeforethedate
ofapplication.Applicantsmustalsobephysicallypresentforatleast183daysduringeachoffourcalendaryearsthatarefullyorpartiallywithinthesix
yearsimmediatelybeforethedateofapplication.Theserequirementsdonotapplytochildrenunder18yearsold.

Exceptions(/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?qnum=370&top=5)applyforcertainCrownservantsandcertainfamilymembersofCrownservants.

Points
Referstotwothings:

1.thescoringsystemusedtoassesseligibilityforfederalskilledworkersandselfemployedimmigrants.Pointsareearnedforsixfactors:education,
Englishand/orFrenchskills,workexperience,age,arrangedemploymentinCanada,andadaptability.Apersonmusthaveaminimumnumberof
pointstoqualifyineachcategory.
2.theunitofmeasurementusedintheComprehensiveRankingSystem(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#crs)toscoreExpressEntry
(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#ee)candidates.

SeePassmark

Policecertificate
Relatedterms:
Policeclearancecertificate
Certificateofgoodconduct
Judicialrecordextract

Anofficialcopyofapersonscriminalrecord,oradeclarationthattheydonothaveacriminalrecord.Policeauthoritiesorgovernmentdepartments
issuesuchcertificates.Authoritiesusethemtoconfirmwhethervisaapplicantsarecriminallyinadmissible.
SeeBackgroundcheck,Medicalexamination.

Pool
Peoplewhomeetcertaincriteriaareputintooneormorepoolsofcandidates.Thisisagroupofpeoplethatwemayinvitetoapplyfor:

aworkpermitforInternationalExperienceCanadaor
permanentresidencethroughExpressEntry.

See:ExpressEntry,InternationalExperienceCanada

Portofentry
AplacewhereapersonmayseekentryintoCanada,suchasatanairport,landormarinebordercrossing.

Postgraduationworkpermit
AdocumentissuedbyCICtoeligibleforeignstudentswhohave:
graduatedfromanapprovedprogramofstudyataneligiblepostsecondaryinstitutioninCanadathatisparticipatinginthePostGraduationWork
PermitProgram(/english/study/workpostgrad.asp)
appliedtoCICwithin90daysofcompletingalldegreeorprogramrequirements.

ItallowsthebearertoworklegallyinCanadaaftercompletingstudies.

Postsecondaryinstitution
Relatedterm:
Highereducation

Astageofhighereducationthatcomesafterhighschool.Referstoacollege,universityortechnicalschoolofferingprogramsofstudy.
SeeUniversity,College.

Preremovalriskassessment(PRRA)
Athoroughprocessthatevaluateswhetherapersonwouldfacepersecution,torture,risktolifeorriskofcruelandunusualtreatmentorpunishment,if
returnedtohisorhercountryoforigin.

Principalapplicant
Whenafamilyappliestogether,onemembermustbethemainorprincipalapplicant.Forexample,amotherapplyingforpermanentresidencewith
herthreechildrenwouldbetheprincipalapplicant.Whenparentsareincludedinanapplication,dependentchildrencannotbeprincipalapplicants.

Priorlearningassessmentandrecognition(PLAR)
ThisisaprocessthatisusedacrossCanadabyschools,colleges,universities,employersandgovernmentstoformallyrecognizeapersonsskillsthat
theyhaveacquiredoutsideofformaleducationsettings.Thisprocessallowspeopletohavetheseskillsassessedandpossiblyrecognizedintheformof
academiccredits.Formoreinformationonpriorlearningassessmentandrecognition,seetheCanadianAssociationofPriorLearningAssessment
(PanCanadian)(http://capla.ca/News.php)

Privatelysponsoredrefugee
Relatedterms:
CommunitySponsor
GroupofFive
SponsorshipAgreementHolder(SAH)

ApersonoutsideCanadawhohasbeendeterminedtobeaConventionrefugeeormemberoftheCountryofAsylumclassandwhoreceivesfinancial
andothersupportfromaprivatesponsorforoneyearaftertheirarrivalinCanada.PrivatesponsorsareSponsorshipAgreementHolders(SAHs),
GroupsofFiveorCommunitySponsors.

Probation
Ifyouareonprobation,youhavebeenconvictedofacrimeoroffenceandhavebeenreleasedwithouthavingtogotoapenitentiary,jail,reformatoryor
prison.Typicallyapersononprobationmustliveundercertainconditionssetbythecourt,forexample,acurfewornotallowedtotakealcohol.

Professionaltraining
Atypeoftrainingusuallyofferedtoapersonwhoisalreadyaprofessionalinagivenfield.Thistypeoftrainingisusuallyrecognizedasmeetingan
officialstandardofanindustry,association,orprofession.

Profile
AnonlineformthatpeoplefillouttofindoutiftheyareeligibleforExpressEntry(/english/immigrate/skilled/index.asp)orInternationalExperience
Canada(/english/work/iec/index.asp).Eligiblepeopleareputintooneormorepoolsofcandidates.Weinvitesomecandidatesfromthepoolstofillout
applications.

Prohibition
PermanentresidentswhohavecommittedcrimeseitherinCanadaoroutsideCanadamaynotbeeligibletobecomeCanadiancitizensforaperiodof
time.Forexample,peoplemaybeconsideredunderaprohibitionandcannotgetcitizenshipifthey:
areinprison,onparoleoronprobationinCanada,orservingasentenceoutsideCanada,
havebeenconvictedofanindictableoffenceinCanadaoranoffenceoutsideCanadainthefouryearsbeforeapplyingforcitizenship,or
arechargedwith,ontrialfor,orinvolvedinanappealofanindictableoffenceinCanada,oranoffenceoutsideCanada.

Foracompletelistofprohibitions,refertoSituationsthatmaypreventyoufrombecomingaCanadiancitizen(/english/citizenship/situations.asp).

Proofofcitizenship
Relatedterms:
Citizenshipcard
Citizenshipstatus
Clarificationofstatus
Confirmationofstatus
Citizenshipcertificate

AdocumentissuedbytheGovernmentofCanadathatconfirmsapersonsstatusasaCanadiancitizen.
SeecertificateofCanadiancitizenship.

Protectedperson
ApersonwhohasbeendeterminedtobeaConventionrefugeeorpersoninsimilarcircumstancesbyaCanadianvisaofficeroutsideCanada,aperson
whomtheImmigrationandRefugeeBoardofCanadahasdeterminedtobeaConventionrefugeeorinneedofprotectioninCanada,orapersonwho
hashadapositivepreremovalriskassessment(inmostcases).
SeeRefugeeclaimant.

Protectedpersonstatusdocument
AnofficialdocumentissuedbyCICthatconfirmsapersonsstatusinCanadaasaprotectedperson.

Protectedtemporaryresident
ApersonadmittedtoCanadaonatemporaryresidentpermitbecauseaCanadianvisaofficerabroadhasdeterminedthattheyfaceanimmediatethreat
totheirlife,libertyorphysicalsafety.

ProvincialNomineeProgram
AprogramthatallowsprovincesandterritoriestonominatecandidatesforimmigrationtoCanada.

Provincialorterritorialnominee
SomeonewhoisnominatedforimmigrationtoCanadabyaprovincialorterritorialgovernmentthathasaProvincialNomineeProgram
(/english/immigrate/provincial/index.asp).Nomineeshavetheskills,educationandworkexperienceneededtomakeanimmediateeconomic
contributiontotheprovinceorterritorythatnominatesthem.

Qualificationrecognition
Aprocessthatinvolvestheassessmentofcredentials,competencies,andworkexperienceinordertoassistemployers,educationalinstitutionsand
professionalregulatorybodiesinmakinginformeddecisions.

Qualifications
Thecombinationofcredentials,knowledge,skillsandworkexperience.

QualifyingCanadianbusiness
ForthepurposesofdeterminingwhetheranentrepreneurhasmanagedandcontrolledaqualifyingCanadianbusiness,aqualifyingCanadianbusiness
isoneinwhichthepercentageofthebusinesscontrolledbytheentrepreneurmeetsatleast2ofthefollowingthresholdsinoneyear:
fulltimejobequivalentsareequaltoorgreaterthantwo,
totalannualsalesareequaltoorgreaterthan$250,000,
netincomeintheyearisequaltoorgreaterthan$25,000,and
netassetsattheendoftheyearisequaltoorgreaterthan$125,000.

Qualifyingbusiness
Forthepurposesofmeetingbusinessexperiencerequirementsasanentrepreneurorinvestorapplicant,aqualifyingbusinessisoneinwhichthe
percentageofthebusinesscontrolledbytheapplicantmeetsatleast2ofthefollowingthresholdsinoneyear:
fulltimejobequivalentsareequaltoorgreaterthantwo,
totalannualsalesareequaltoorgreaterthan$500,000,
netincomeintheyearisequaltoorgreaterthan$50,000,and
netassetsattheendoftheyearisequaltoorgreaterthan$125,000.

Reaffirmationceremony
AformaleventwhereCanadiancitizensexpresstheircommitmenttoCanadabyrepeatingtheoathofcitizenship.

Recallofcitizenshipcertificate
Theprocessbywhichapersonmayberequiredtosurrendertheircertificateifthereisreasontobelievethatthepersonmaynotbeentitledtothe
certificateorhasviolatedanyoftheprovisionoftheAct.

Recordoflanding(IMM1000)
AnofficialdocumentonceissuedtoapersonwhentheyarrivedinCanadaasapermanentresident.CanadastoppedissuingrecordsoflandingonJune
28,2002.
SeeConfirmationofpermanentresidence,Permanentresidentcard

Recordsuspension
Arecordsuspension(formerlyapardon)allowspeoplewhowereconvictedofacriminaloffence,buthavecompletedtheirsentenceanddemonstrated
theyarelawabidingcitizensforaprescribednumberofyears,tohavetheircriminalrecordkeptseparateandapartfromothercriminalrecords.
SeeCriminalinadmissibility,Criminalrehabilitation,Deemedrehabilitation.

RefugeeandHumanitarianResettlementProgram
TheGovernmentofCanadasprogramunderwhichrefugeesfromabroad,whomeetCanadasrefugeeresettlementcriteria,areselectedandadmitted
toCanada.

Refugeeclaimant
ApersonwhohasappliedforrefugeeprotectionstatuswhileinCanadaandiswaitingforadecisiononhis/herclaimfromtheImmigrationandRefugee
BoardofCanada.
SeeProtectedperson.

Refugeedependant
AfamilymemberofarefugeeinCanada,whoseapplicationforpermanentresidenceisprocessedatthesametimeastheprincipalapplicants.

RefugeelandedinCanada
ApermanentresidentwhoappliedforandreceivedpermanentresidentstatusinCanadaaftertheirrefugeeclaimwasaccepted.

Refugeeprotectionstatus
Whenaperson,inlandoroverseasisdeterminedtobeaConventionrefugeeorprotectedperson,theyaresaidtohaverefugeeprotectionstatusin
Canada.RefugeeprotectionisgiventoapersoninaccordancewiththeImmigrationandRefugeeProtectionAct.

Refugeetraveldocument
AdocumentforpeopleinCanadawithprotectedpersonstatustousefortraveloutsideCanada.Thisincludesrefugeesandpeoplewhohavereceived
apositivePreRemovalRiskAssessment.
Itcanbeusedtotravelanywhereexceptthecountrythepersonisacitizenoforthecountryofclaimedpersecution.

RegulatedOccupation
Aprofessionthatsetsitsownstandardsofpractice.Ifyouwanttoworkinaregulatedoccupationandusearegulatedtitle,youmusthavealicenceora
certificate,orberegisteredwiththeregulatorybodyforyouroccupation.Sometimesanoccupationisregulatedinsomeprovincesorterritoriesbutnotin
others.20%ofjobsinCanadaareregulated.

Regulatorybody
Anorganizationthatsetsthestandardsandpracticesofaregulatedoccupation.

Withineachprovinceandterritory,aregulatorybodyexistsforeachregulatedoccupation.

Rehabilitation
Aprocessbywhichapersoncanovercomecriminalinadmissibility.
SeeDeemedrehabilitation,Criminalrehabilitation.

Relationshipofconvenience
Relatedterm:
Marriagesofconvenience

Amarriage,commonlawrelationship,conjugalpartnershiporadoptionthatisnotgenuine,orwasenteredintoforstatusorprivilegeinCanada.People
intheserelationshipsarenotmembersofthefamilyclass.

Relative
Apersonwhoisrelatedtoanotherpersonbybloodoradoption.

Relevantexperience
Whenapplyingtoimmigrateasaselfemployedperson,relevantexperiencemeans:
atleasttwooneyearperiodsofexperienceintheperiodfromfiveyearsbeforetheapplicationdatetothedayadecisionismadeonthe
application.

Experiencemustbeinoneoftheseareas:

selfemploymentinculturalactivitiesorathletics,
participatinginculturalactivitiesorathleticsattheworldclasslevelor
farmmanagement.

Removalorder
WhenanimmigrationofficialordersapersontoleaveCanada.Therearethreetypesofremovalorders(departure,exclusionanddeportation)andeach
onehasdifferentconsequences.

Renunciationofcitizenship
Relatedterm:
Renunciationdocument

TheprocessbywhichacitizenwillinglygivesupofficiallyhisorherCanadiancitizenship.Onceacitizenshipjudgeapprovesanapplicationfor
renunciation,arenunciationcertificateisissued.
SeeResumptionofcitizenship.

Representative
ApersonwhohasthepermissionofsomeonewantingtoimmigratetoCanadaorobtainCanadiancitizenshiptoconductbusinesswithCIContheir
behalf.Therepresentativecanbepaidorunpaid.Whensomeoneappointsarepresentative,theymayalsoauthorizeCICtoshareinformationfromtheir
casefilewiththisperson.Canadascitizenshipandimmigrationlawscoverrepresentativesanddefinesthetermsoftheirservices.

SeeCitizenshipandImmigrationconsultant(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#immigration_consultant),Authorizedrepresentative
(/english/helpcentre/glossary.asp#authorized_representative).

Residencerequirement(citizenship)
ForapplicantswhoapplybeforeJune11,2015,thisistheamountoftimeapermanentresidentmustliveinCanadatobeeligibleforagrantof
Canadiancitizenship.

AdultsmusthavelivedinCanadaforatleastthreeyears(1,095days)inthefouryearsimmediatelyprecedingthedateofapplication.Itdoesnotapply
tochildrenunder18yearsold.

Residencerequirement(permanentresident)
TheamountoftimeapermanentresidentmustliveinCanadatokeeptheirstatusasapermanentresident.

Inmostcircumstances,permanentresidentsmustliveinCanadaforatleasttwoyears(730days)outoffive.Theremaybetimeswhenyoucancount
timeoutsideofCanada(/english/information/applications/guides/5445ETOC.asp)meetingthisrequirement.

Resumptionofcitizenship
TheprocessbywhichaformercitizenmayresumehisorherCanadiancitizenshipbackafteroneyearofresidenceinCanadaasapermanentresident
precedingimmediatelythedateofapplication.Theymustbecomeapermanentresidentfirst.

SeeRenunciationofcitizenship.

Retired
Retiredmeansyouhavewillinglystoppedworking.Thisisusuallybecauseofage.

Revocationofcitizenship
Relatedterms:
Lossofcitizenship
Ceasetobeacitizen

ApersonscitizenshipmayberevokedfollowingadecisionfromtheMinisterofCitizenshipandImmigrationoradeclarationfromtheFederalCourt.
Reasonsforrevocationinclude:

Falserepresentation,
Fraud,
Knowinglyconcealinganymaterialcircumstancesor
CommittinganoffenceagainstCanadasnationalinterests.

Citizenshipmayberevokedifaperson,whoisadualcitizen,beforeorafterthecomingintoforceofsubsections10(2)and10.1(2),andwhilealso
beingaCanadiancitizenwas:

Convictedofterrorism,hightreason,treason,orspyingoffencesdependingonthesentencereceivedor
ServedasamemberofanarmedforceofacountryoranorganizedarmedgroupthatengagedinarmedconflictwithCanada.

Rightofpermanentresidencefee
Achargepaidbyaprincipalapplicant(withsomeexceptions),andaspouseorcommonlawpartnertravellingwiththem,beforetheapplicantcan
becomeapermanentresidentofCanada.

Safethirdcountry
Asafethirdcountryisacountry,otherthanCanadaandthecountryofallegedpersecution,whereanindividualmaymakeaclaimforrefugee
protection.InCanada,theImmigrationandRefugeeProtectionActoutlinesthecriteriafordesignatingacountryasasafethirdcountry.

Satisfactoryacademicstanding
Satisfactoryacademicstandingmeansgettingacertainmarkorgradepointaverageinaprogramofstudy,orcompletingcertainprogramrequirements.
Differentprogramsofstudywillhavedifferentstandardsofwhatisconsideredsatisfactory.Checkwithyoureducationalinstitution.

Secondaryschool
Relatedterms:
Highschool
Middleschool

Aninstitutionthatprovidesaneducationtostudentswhohavecompletedelementaryschool.Theseschoolsusuallyincludegrades9through12
(although,insomeareas,theystartwithgrade7).IntheprovinceofQuebec,secondarygradesarecalledgrades1through5.

Applicantsforprimaryandsecondaryschoolsdonotneedadesignatedlearninginstitution(DLI)numberontheirapplicationform.
Sectorcouncil
Anorganizationthatbringstogetherrepresentativesfrombusiness,labour,education,andprofessionalgroupswithinanindustryorprofession.

Selfemployedperson
AnimmigrantadmittedtoCanadabecausetheyhaverelevantexperienceinworkingforhimselforherself.Thepersonmustintendandbeableto
becomeselfemployedinCanadainthearts,athleticsorfarmmanagement.

Selfsupportingrefugee
AnapplicantacceptedasaConventionrefugeeabroad,orasamemberoftheCountryofAsylumClass,whohassufficientfinancialresourcesto
supportthemselvesinCanada.

Separated
Separatedmeansthattwopeoplearemarriedbutnolongerlivingtogether,andtheydonotwishtolivetogetheragain.Theymaybewaitingfora
divorceorhavenotyetdecidedtodivorce.

Seriouscriminality
Acategoryofcriminalinadmissibilitythatappliestopeoplewhohavecommittedorbeenconvictedofanoffence,insideoroutsideCanada,punishable
byasentenceofatleast10yearsinCanada,orconvictedofanoffenceinCanadaforwhichthepersonreceivedasentenceofmorethansixmonths.
ReferredtoinCanadaasanindictableoffence.

Serviceproviderorganization(SPO)
Relatedterms:
Immigrantsettlementagency
Immigrantserviceprovider
Settlementagency
Immigrantservingagency
Immigrantservingorganization
Settlementassistanceorganization
Immigrantsettlementassociation

Aserviceproviderorganization(SPO)isanagencythatprovidesservicesfornewcomerstoCanada.

ServiceproviderorganizationsofferprogramsthatcangivenewcomersresourcesandtrainingtoliveandworkinCanada.Theirprogramscanhelp
refugeeswhooftenhaveadifficulttimewithdaytodaytaskslikefindinganapartment,takingpublictransportation,ormakingadoctorsappointment.

Theseorganizationscanalsohelprefugeescompleteforms,getpermanentresidentcards,healthinsurance,socialinsurancenumbers,etc.Theyalso
offerinterpretationandtranslationservicestohelpwithsuchspecialneedsasgivingmedicalbackgroundstodoctors.

VisitCICswebsiteformoreinformationonthemanyservicesprovidedbySPOs(/english/refugees/spo.asp).

Settlementfunds
Thistermcanrefertooneoftwothings.

1.SufficientandavailablefundsthateconomicimmigrantsmustprovetheyhavetosettleinCanada.Thefundsmustbe:
available,
transferableand
notcommittedtodebtsorotherobligations.
Thesefundswillcoverfees,relocationcostsandcoststosettle.

2.FundsallocatedbytheGovernmentofCanadatopayformeasurestodevelopwelcomingandinclusivecommunities,ortohelpnewcomerssettle
intotheirnewcommunities.

Singleentryvisa
Relatedterms:
Touristvisa
Visitorvisa

AvisathatallowssomeonetoenterCanadaonlyonce.

SeeTemporaryresidentvisa.

Skilllevel
TobeeligiblefortheFederalSkilledWorkerClassandCanadianExperienceClass,foreignworkersmusthaveworkexperienceatspecifiedskilllevels.
SkilllevelsforoccupationscomefromtheNationalOccupationalClassification(NOC)(http://noc.esdc.gc.ca/English/noc/welcome.aspx?ver=11)system.
Theyareclassifiedbytypeofworkandtrainingrequiredtobeproficient.

Skilledworker
SeeFederalskilledworker.