Canada attracts global talent with its excellent education, beautiful environment, and comprehensive policies. During the immigration application process, it is inevitable to encounter professional immigration terminology. Many of these terms appear as abbreviations; failing to understand their meanings may lead to difficulties during your immigration journey. Visas Consulting Group has compiled a summary of common English abbreviations and definitions used in the Canadian immigration process for your reference.
A
AEO = Arranged Employment Opinion
AIP = Approval In Principle
AR = Acknowledge of Receiving
B
BBB = Better Business Bureau
BC = Background Check
BM = Board Member (of the IRB)
C
CAIPS = Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System
CBA = Canadian Bar Association
CBSA = Canada Border Service Agency
CC = Canadian Citizen
CEC = Canadian Experience Class
CIC = Citizenship and Immigration Canada
CIO = Centralized Intake Office
CIO = Citizenship and Immigration Canada Office
CID = Claimant Identification Number
CPC = Case Processing Centre
CPO = Case Processing Officer
CSIC = Canadian Society of Immigration Consultants
CSQ = Certificate De Selection Du Quebec
D
DM = Decision made
E
EE = Express Entry
F
FC = Federal Court of Canada
FN = File Number
FSTP = Federal Skilled Trades Program
FSW = Federal Skilled Worker
H
HRSDC = Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
I
IAD = Immigration Appeal Division (of IRB)
ID = Immigration Division (of IRB)
IP = In Process
IRB = Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
ITA = Invitation to Apply
J
JAL = Job Approval Letter
L
LINC = Language Instruction for New Comers to Canada (CLIC in French)
LMIA = Labor Market Impact Assessment
LMO = Labour Market Opinion
LP = Landing Paper
LSUC = Law Society of Upper Canada
M
ME = Medical Exam
MER = Medical Exam Received
N
NER = Negative Eligibility Review
NOC = National Occupational Classification
O
OCWP = Off Campus Work Permit
OPEN PGWP = Open Post-graduation Work Permit
OWP = Open Work Permit
P
PER = Positive Eligibility Review
PFL = Procedural Fairness Letter
PGWP = Post-graduation Work Permit
PL = Picking up Letter
PNP = Provincial Nominee Program
POE = Port of Entry
PPR = Passport Request Letter
PR = Permanent Resident
PRC = Permanent Resident Card
PRRA = Pre-Removal Risk Assessment
R
RCMP = Royal Canadian Mounted Police
RCIC = Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
ROE = Record of Employment
RPD = Refugee Protection Division (of IRB)
S
SC = Service Canada
SCC = Supreme Court of Canada
SI = Skills Immigration
SP = Study Permit
V
VO = Visa Office
W
WP = Work Permit
Completeness Check
Eligibility Review
Final Selection Decision at VO