Glossary of CIC

A child who depends on their parent for financial and other support. A son or daughter is considered a dependant of their parent when the child is:

• under 22 years old, and does not have a spouse or partner, or
• a full-time student on an ongoing basis since before the age of 22, and has depended largely on a parent’s financial support since that time, or
• 22 years old and over, and
  • became a spouse or partner before the age of 22, and
  • has been a full-time student on an ongoing basis since before the age of 22, and
  • has depended largely on a parent’s financial support since they became a spouse or partner, or
• 22 years old and over, and has depended largely on the parent’s financial support since before the age of 22 because of a physical or mental condition.

Deportation order

A removal order issued by either a CBSA officer or the IRB.It requires the person to leave Canada due to serious offences or serious violations of Canada’s immigration law. A person deported from Canada may not return without written permission from the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.See Removals on CBSA website.

Designated angel investor group

A private business that is a member of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO) and which has been designated by the Minister.

Designated Learning Institution

A school in Canada that a student must be accepted at before they can qualify for a study permit (as of June 1, 2014). Consult the designated learning institutions list(DLI) for schools at the post-secondary level.All primary and secondary schools in Canada are automatically designated. They do not appear on the list. Applicants for primary and secondary schools do not need a DLI number on their application form.See Secondary school.

Designated third-party language test

This is a test that shows if your language skills meet our standards in each of these four categories:

• listening,
• speaking,
• reading, and/or
• writing.

There are agencies “designated” to give the tests. This means they are approved to do so by CIC.

These tests are given to see if you meet the language requirement for your application.

Designated venture capital fund

A private business that is a member of the Canadian Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (CVCA) and that has been designated by the Minister.

Direct route to citizenship

A process for a child born and adopted abroad by Canadian parents to be granted citizenship without having to immigrate to Canada first.

Discover Canada

Discover Canada: The Rights and Responsibilities of Citizenship is the only official study guide for the citizenship knowledge test. An applicant should study from this guide to prepare for the citizenship test. If an applicant uses any other material to prepare for the citizenship test, they do so at their own risk.

Divorced

Divorced means that a court has granted a divorce and that a marriage has ended. The two people are no longer married.

Dual or multiple citizenship

When a person is a legal citizen of two or more countries at the same time. Dual or multiple citizenship is permitted under Canada’s citizenship laws. Some other countries do not allow it.

Economic Class

Related term:
Economic immigrant

A category of immigrants selected for their skills and ability to contribute to Canada’s economy. Economic Class immigrants include skilled workers, provincial and territorial nominees, business immigrants, Quebec skilled workers and Canadian Experience Class members, and their spouses and dependants.

Educational credential

Any diploma, degree, or trade or apprenticeship credential issued for completing a program of study or training at a recognized educational or training institution.

Educational institution

Related term:
Post Secondary School

An organization that offers academic, technical or vocational programs of study, like a university or college.

Elementary school

Related terms:
Primary school
Grade school
Public school
Middle school

An institution that provides educational programs for children, starting between the ages of four and six. Years of instruction usually include kindergarten (the lowest level) and grades 1 through 6 (if the area has middle schools) or grades 1 through 8.

Eligible

To be eligible for something means to be qualified to participate or be chosen.

Embassy

Related term:
Mission

A Government of Canada office located in the capital city of a non-Commonwealth country. It generally offers the full range of consular and trade services. It may or may not provide immigration services.Example: the Embassy of Canada in France, ParisSee High commission, Consulate, Visa office

eMedical

An online tool that doctors approved by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) to do medical exams use to record and send Immigration Medical Exam (IME) results to CIC.  It is more accurate, convenient and faster than paper-based processing.

Emergency services

Public support available immediately if there is a dangerous situation caused by fire, a health crisis or criminal activity. These services may include police, fire department and/or ambulance services, and/or a local emergency hotline.

English as a second language (ESL)

Related terms:
English language services for adults
English language training
English as an additional language program

A program used to teach English to non-native speakers. ESL is usually taught in a setting where English is the dominant language.

Enhanced language training (ELT)

A program that provides adult newcomers with advanced, job-specific language training in English or French. ELT also uses mentoring, job placements and other ways to help newcomers find work.

Entrepreneur

An immigrant admitted to Canada who:

• has business experience, and
• has a legally obtained net worth of at least C$300,000.

As a condition of maintaining permanent resident status as an entrepreneur, the person also agrees to:

• control at least one-third of the equity in a qualifying Canadian business,
• actively manage the business, and
• create at least one full-time job for a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Excessive demand

When a person’s existing medical condition could place a demand on health or social services that would likely:

• cost more to treat than the cost of caring for an average Canadian or
• interfere with timely services to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

See the legal definition of excessive demand.

Exchange student

An exchange student is a student who studies in another country by switching places with a student from that country for a short period of time.

Exclusion order

A removal order issued by either a Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officer or the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).Usually, a person removed due to an exclusion order cannot return to Canada for one year without written permission. People issued exclusion orders for misrepresentation cannot return for five years without written permission. See Removals on CBSA website

Facilitator

A facilitator is a financial institution that:

• is approved by CIC;
• is a member of the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC);
• helps immigrant investors make and redeem their investments.

False representation

See Misrepresentation

Family Class

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

Family members

An applicant’s closest relatives, in the context of an application to CIC. It is defined as a spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and their dependent children.

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 succeed in the Canadian labour market. Spouses and children are included on the application.Quebec selects its own skilled workers, under the Quebec skilled worker Class (QSW).

Financial support

Financial support means that your sponsor provides money to help you pay for food, living expenses, etc.

Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR)

Foreign credential recognition is the process of verifying that the education and job experience obtained in another country are equal to the standards established for Canadian professionals. Credential recognition for regulated occupations is mainly a provincial responsibility that has been delegated in legislation to regulatory bodies.

Foreign national

A person who is not a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident.See the legal definition of foreign national.

Foreign student

Related term:
International student

A temporary resident who is legally authorized to study in Canada on a temporary basis. With a few exceptions, foreign students must get a study permit if they are taking a course of studies that will last for more than six months.See the legal definition of a student.

Foreign worker

A temporary resident who is legally allowed to work in Canada on a temporary basis.

Francophone

Related term:
French-speaking person

Person whose mother tongue is French or whose first official language in Canada is French even though that person’s mother tongue is a language other than French or English.

French as a second language (FSL)

A program used to teach French to non-native speakers. FSL is usually taught in a setting where French is the dominant language.

Full-time equivalent studies

Education completed on a part-time or accelerated basis that is equivalent to a full-time program of study.

Full-time job equivalent

Defined as 1,560 hours of paid employment per year.

Full-time study

Related term:
Full-time student

Study schedule with a minimum number of hours (15 hours) of instruction per week during the academic year, including any period of training in the workplace that is part of the student’s studies. Students should ask their school what the full-time requirements are.

Full time study status

Full time study status is determined by your educational institution (school). It is usually based on the number of classroom hours per week.

General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)

Related term:
International agreement

An international agreement that provides the basis for giving some foreign business people easier access to Canada. Many countries that are members of the World Trade Organization have signed the agreement.Three kinds of business people are covered:

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

Given name(s)

A given name(s) is the name(s) given to a person at birth and by which that person is most commonly referred to. A person’s given name(s) includes his or her first name and middle name. For example: If a person’s name is Mark Paul Jenkins, his given names are Mark Paul.A person may have one or more given names.

Government-assisted refugee

A person who is outside Canada and has been determined to be a Convention refugee and who receives financial and other support from the Government of Canada or Province of Quebec for up to one year after their arrival in Canada.GARs are selected from applicants referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other referral organizations.

Grant of citizenship

See Naturalization.

Group of five

A group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents, each of whom is at least 18 years of age, who agree to work together to sponsor a refugee.

Guarantor

A guarantor is a person who can confirm your identity and the information you have provided. If you do not have a guarantor who has known you for at least two (2) years, you must complete a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor.

Health card

A document that allows a person to receive public health care in a Canadian province or territory. Newcomers can apply for a health card when they arrive in Canada. See Health insurance.

Health insurance

A Canadian provincial or territorial government program that pays for essential health services provided by doctors, hospitals and certain non-physician practitioners. Newcomers must apply to their provincial or territorial health insurance plan to get coverage and a health card.See Health card. See the legal definition of health card.

High commission

Related term:
Mission

A Government of Canada office, is the same as an embassy, but is located in the capital city of a Commonwealth country.Example: High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom in LondonSee Embassy, Visa office, Consulate.

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.(H & C) grounds apply to people with exceptional cases. Factors that are looked at include:

• how settled the person is in Canada,
• general family ties to Canada,
• the best interests of any children involved, and
• the degree of hardship that the applicant would experience if the request is not granted and they must leave Canada in order to apply for permanent residence.

(H & C) decision makers will not look at the risk factors that are looked at in an in-Canada refugee protection claim or a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). These factors which are outside the scope of an (H & C) application include persecution, danger of torture or risk to life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

Identity card

A card used to prove who someone is. It can be issued by a government or by a recognized international agency, such as the United Nations.

Immigration consultant

Related terms:
Immigration representative
Designated representative

A person who provides support, advice or help, for a fee or other consideration, to someone who wants to immigrate to Canada. Canada’s immigration law defines representatives and the terms of their services. This person does not work for the Canadian government. See Authorized representative.

Immigration document

An official document issued by a CIC or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office, Case Processing Centre (CPC) or Canadian visa office outside Canada, such as one of the following:

• Immigrant visa and record of landing (IMM 1000),
• Confirmation of permanent residence (IMM 5292),
• Permanent resident card,
• visitor record,
• work permit,
• study permit or
• temporary resident permit.

Immigration officer

A Government of Canada employee who is in charge of deciding who can enter and remain in Canada. They check documents and interview applicants to make sure their applications are accurate.

Immigration status

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

Implied status

If a visitor, student or foreign worker applies to extend their status, before that status expires, they can legally remain in Canada until a decision is made on the application. In this situation, the person has implied status.

In good standing

Refers to a representative who:

• is licensed and insured,
• is qualified to help you through the legal process, and
• meets the standards of learning, competence and professional conduct.

In process

When an application that has been sent to CIC has been opened, checked for completeness, and an employee has begun to process it (enter into the computer system, etc.).

Inadmissibility

Related term:
Inadmissible person

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.

Indictable offence

See Offence.

Individual rehabilitation

See Criminal rehabilitation.

Instruction guide

Instruction guides are documents that provide:

• information a person must know about an application before sending it to CICand
• help with filling out forms and required supporting documents.

These guides are posted on the CIC website.

Intercountry adoption

Related term:
International adoption

A legal adoption of a child residing in another country that complies with the laws of both the sending and receiving countries.

International Experience Canada (IEC)

Related terms:
International youth program
Working Holiday Program

A youth exchange program allowing Canadians, 18 to 35, to live and work in other countries, generally for up to one year at a time. The reciprocity of the program allows for youth from these same countries to live and work in Canada for up to one year.

International medical graduate

A person who has graduated from a medical school not accredited in Canada (by the Committee on Accreditation of Canadian Medical Schools) or in the U.S. (by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education). This term includes graduates of a U.S. school of osteopathic medicine accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.

International Mobility Program

This program allows employers to hire or bring in foreign workers without the need of a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Exemptions from the LMIA process are available where there are reciprocal benefits for Canadians and other competitive advantages for Canada.Examples of individuals who come to Canada under an LMIA-exempt program include: international students who have graduated from a Canadian school; persons authorized to work in Canada temporarily due to free trade agreements, such as NAFTA, International Experience Canada participants, some permanent resident (PR) applicants settling in Canada while their PR application is finalized, and spouses of highly-skilled foreign workers.See Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

International student

See Foreign student.

Internship

Supervised work or school-related training that may be either paid or unpaid. Internship positions can be found with some businesses, government departments and non-profit organizations. Internships can help newcomers gain Canadian work experience.

Intra-company transferee

Related terms:
General Agreement on Trade in Services
North American Free Trade Agreement

A qualified employee who is transferred within a company to work in Canada on a temporary basis.

Investor

A term used to describe an immigrant admitted to Canada who:

• has business experience
• has a legally obtained net worth of at least C$1,600,000, and
• has made an investment of C$800,000

Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada must usually get before hiring a foreign worker.A positive LMIA will show that there is a need for a foreign worker to fill the job and that no Canadian worker can do the job. A positive LMIA is sometimes called a Confirmation letter.Your proposed employer must contact Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). ESDC will provide details on the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) application process.

Labour market opinion (LMO)

See Labour Market Impact Assessment

Landing

Related term:
Interview for final determination

The final interview with an immigration officer at either a port of entry or a local CICoffice within Canada, during which an applicant becomes a permanent resident. This happens when the person signs the confirmation of permanent residence.

Language assessment

An evaluation of a person’s reading, writing, listening and/or speaking abilities in English or French. This is done to see if you meet the language requirement for your application.

Language requirement

Related terms:
Adequate Language

Some types of applications require you to have a certain level of skill in either English or French. The level of language ability required is different, depending on the type of application being submitted.

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC)

Free English language training programs for adult newcomers to Canada. They are funded by the federal government and delivered by school boards, colleges and local organizations that provide services to newcomers.

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).

Applicants must present the letter when they arrive in Canada.

Letter of invitation

A letter from a person in Canada on behalf of a friend or family member who wants to visit. This may be helpful if the visitor is from a country where visas are required to travel to and enter Canada.The letter should explain how they plan to help the visitor and whether they have the financial means to support the person during a longer visit.

Letter of invitation to delegates

A letter that event organizers need to give delegates when they apply for a visa to come to Canada.The letter should include information on the event to establish:

• the delegate’s purpose of travel to Canada, and
• plans once in Canada.

The letter should also indicate if financial assistance is given to delegates, such as airline tickets and accommodations.

Letter of support

A letter of support is given to the applicant by the designated angel investor group or venture capital fund. It is proof that they will support your business idea.

Level of education

A selection factor under the Federal Skilled Worker Program for which points are awarded. It is based on the certificate, diploma or degree obtained, and the number of years of schooling.

Level of study

There are five levels of study for foreign students in Canada. They are:

• Universities: Offer degree-granting programs at the undergraduate (bachelor’s) graduate (master’s), and postgraduate (doctoral, post-doctoral) levels, and may also offer programs leading to certificates or diplomas in various academic disciplines.
• Colleges: Offer academic or professional training programs leading to diplomas or certificates (includes CEGEPs in Quebec, which is generally mandatory before attending university).
• Trade: Non-university educational institutions in Canada that offer vocational trades and/or technical programs (such as vocational institutions, or private career colleges).
• Other post-secondary: Post-secondary studies that are not undertaken at university, college or trade school. This includes studies at language institutions and private institutions, and in university qualifying programs.
• Secondary or less: Includes primary and secondary schools in Canada.
• Other: Studies that cannot be classified at any of the above levels of study.

Live-in caregiver

Related term:
Nanny

A person who is qualified to provide care for children, elderly people or people with disabilities in private homes without supervision. A live-in caregiver must live in the private home of their employer while they work in Canada.

Local CIC office

Related term:
Local office

A CIC service location in Canada. This term does not include ports of entry or CPCs.

Locked in

Information that is locked in during the immigration application process will not change over time. For example, in the case of an age lock in, if your dependant child’s age is locked in at 18 that will be the age on which his or her dependency will be assessed for the purpose of the application, regardless of how long it takes to process the application.

Low-income cut-off (LICO)

Related term:
Minimum necessary income

Income levels set out by the Government of Canada where a family spends a higher percentage on necessities than other families. A family must be above the cut-off in order to

• sponsor a family member to immigrate to Canada, or
• host parents or grandparents for an extended stay.

Married

Married means that two people have had a ceremony that legally binds them to each other. This marriage must be recognized under the laws of the country where it was performed and under Canadian law.

Medical examination

Related terms:
Medical exam
Immigration medical exam

A physical examination (that could also include laboratory/radiology tests depending on age) performed by a CIC appointed medical doctor 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.

See Background check, Police certificate.

Medical inadmissibility

When a person is not allowed to enter Canada for health-related reasons. For instance, the person might:

• pose a danger to public health,
• pose a danger to public safety or
• place excessive demand on health or social services.

Member of the Convention Refugees Abroad Class

Related term:
Convention refugee

A person who has been determined to be a Convention refugee by a visa officer outside Canada.

Member of the Country of Asylum Class

A person who is outside their home country or the country where they normally live and is seriously affected by civil war, armed conflict, or a massive violation of human rights.

Middle school

Related terms:
Grade school
Public school
Secondary school

An institution that provides educational programs for grades 7 and 8, in between elementary school and high school.

Minimum necessary income

Related term:
Low-income cut-off

The amount of income a family must earn in order to

• sponsor a family member to immigrate to Canada, or
• host parents or grandparents for an extended stay.

Minor child

A minor child is a child who is under the age of 18 years in the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Saskatchewan. In all the other provinces it is the age of 19 years.

Misrepresentation

When a person makes false statements, submits false information, or submits false or altered documents when dealing with CIC. This is a crime. Documents can include:

• passports and travel documents,
• visas,
• diplomas, degrees, and apprenticeship or trade papers,
• birth, marriage, final divorce, annulment, separation or death certificates, or
• police certificates.

Lying on an application or in an interview with a CIC officer is also an offence under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.