A

Academic Program
A formal course of study that leads to a degree, diploma, or professional certificate at a university, college, or other learning institution.

Accompanying Family Member
Your spouse, partner, dependent child, or grandchild who is included in your immigration application and plans to move to Canada with you.

Address
Where you live right now — including street number, street name, apartment/unit, city, province/state, and country.

Adequate Knowledge of Canada
To become a Canadian citizen, you must show basic knowledge about Canada’s history, geography, government, economy, laws, and symbols.

Adequate Knowledge of Language
To become a Canadian citizen, you must be able to speak and understand English or French well enough to have a conversation. This is tested through the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) system.

Admissibility
Whether you are allowed to enter or stay in Canada, based on health, security, and other checks.

Adoption
A legal process that makes a child part of your family permanently, ending the legal rights of the child’s biological parents.

Affidavit
A written statement that you swear is true, signed in front of an authorized official.

Age
For immigration purposes, your age at the time of your landing (permanent residents) or entry to Canada (temporary residents).

Annulment
A legal declaration that a marriage is not valid.

Applicant
The person who is applying for a visa, permit, or other immigration service.

Application for Leave and Judicial Review
A request to the Federal Court to review an immigration decision you believe is wrong.

Application Kit
The forms and documents you need to submit a complete application.

Approved in Principle (AIP)
You have met most immigration requirements, but must still pass medical, security, and background checks before approval.

Arranged Employment
A valid job offer from a Canadian employer.

Assessment
A review of your qualifications, skills, or other factors for immigration purposes.

Asylum
Protection for people who are at risk of serious harm or persecution in their home country.

B

Background Check
A review of your history, including criminal record and security information, to ensure you can enter or stay in Canada.

Bar to Admissibility
A reason that stops you from being allowed into Canada.

Beneficiary
A person who receives benefits or money from an insurance policy, trust, or will.

Biometric Information
Your fingerprints and photo, collected as part of some immigration applications.

Boarding Pass
A document that allows you to get on an airplane.

Border Services Officer
An officer who checks your documents and decides if you can enter Canada.

C

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
The government agency that manages border security, customs, and immigration enforcement.

Canadian Citizen
Someone who has full legal status as a member of Canada, either by birth or by becoming a citizen through the immigration process.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
An immigration program for people with Canadian work experience who want to become permanent residents.

Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
A system that measures English language skills for immigration purposes.

Case Processing Centre (CPC)
A government office that processes immigration and citizenship applications.

Certified Translator
A translator recognized by a professional organization, authorized to translate documents for immigration.

Claimant
A person who applies for refugee protection in Canada.

Client Identification Number (Client ID / UCI)
A unique number assigned to you by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Close Relative
A family member such as a parent, child, or sibling.

Co-op Work Permit
A work permit that allows you to work in Canada as part of a school program.

Conditional Permanent Residence
A type of status that has certain rules you must follow for it to remain valid.