Immigration & Visa Glossary 2026

Canada's points-based scoring system for Express Entry immigration.

The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) is the scoring framework used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to rank Express Entry candidates. Scores (0–1200) are awarded for age, education, language skills (IELTS/CELPIP/TEF), Canadian work experience, adaptability factors, and provincial nomination. Candidates above the invitation round cut-off receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

Canada open work permit for international graduates — valid up to 3 years.

The Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) is a Canadian open work permit available to international students who graduated from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) offering PGWP-eligible programs. Permit length matches the study program duration, up to a maximum of 3 years. PGWP holders can work for any Canadian employer, and PGWP experience counts toward Express Entry CRS points and Canadian Experience Class eligibility.

Canadian government approval confirming no Canadian worker was available for a job.

A Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document issued by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) that authorizes a Canadian employer to hire a foreign worker. A positive LMIA confirms the job is genuine, the employer made reasonable efforts to hire domestically, and the hire will not negatively impact the labour market. Most Canadian work permits require an employer-specific LMIA, though certain visa streams (CUSMA/USMCA, PGWP, IEC) are LMIA-exempt.

Canada's primary skilled worker immigration management system.

Express Entry is Canada's online immigration management system for three federal economic programs: Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and Canadian Experience Class (CEC). Eligible candidates create an Express Entry profile and are ranked using the CRS. IRCC conducts periodic invitation rounds, drawing the highest-ranked candidates and issuing Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

US government database tracking F-1 and J-1 visa holders.

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a web-based system maintained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that tracks international students (F and M visa) and exchange visitors (J visa) in the United States. All F-1 students must have an active SEVIS record and pay the SEVIS fee (I-901) before attending a US visa interview. Designated School Officials (DSOs) maintain student records through SEVIS.

US work authorization for F-1 students — up to 12 months (29 months for STEM).

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 international students in the United States that allows them to gain practical experience in their field of study. OPT may be used before (Pre-completion OPT) or after graduation (Post-completion OPT). Standard OPT is authorized for 12 months; STEM OPT Extension provides an additional 24-month extension (total 36 months) for graduates of STEM programs working for E-Verify employers.

US F-1 student work authorization integrated into the academic curriculum.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is work authorization for F-1 students that allows employment directly related to the student's major field of study, as an integral part of their established curriculum. Unlike OPT, CPT is authorized by the Designated School Official (DSO) and must be part of the academic program requirements. One year or more of full-time CPT usage eliminates OPT eligibility, making CPT management critical for post-graduation employment plans.

US visa for specialty occupation workers requiring at least a bachelor's degree.

The H-1B is a non-immigrant US work visa for workers in specialty occupations requiring a minimum of a US bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a specific specialty field. The annual H-1B cap is 65,000 regular and 20,000 master's exemption visas. Oversubscription triggers a computer-generated lottery. H-1B holders are employer-sponsored and cannot change employers without filing a new H-1B petition. Spouses may obtain H-4 EAD work authorization in certain circumstances.

US student visa for academic studies at accredited US institutions.

The F-1 nonimmigrant student visa allows foreign nationals to study at accredited US colleges, universities, seminaries, conservatories, and academic high schools. F-1 students must maintain full-time enrollment, a valid I-20 form from their school, and active SEVIS registration. F-1 status allows limited on-campus employment (20 hrs/wk), CPT, and OPT. F-1 students cannot work off-campus without USCIS authorization.

US certificate of eligibility issued to admitted F-1/M-1 students.

Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) is issued by a SEVIS-certified school to an admitted international student. The I-20 specifies the student's program of study, program end date, and funding information. It is required to apply for an F-1 or M-1 student visa, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, and enter the United States. Students must carry their I-20 at all times while in F-1 status.

Date a US immigrant petition was filed — determines when a green card becomes available.

In US employment-based and family-based immigration, the priority date is the date USCIS received a qualifying immigrant petition (I-140 for employment, I-130 for family). Green cards are issued in visa number order — when the priority date in the USCIS monthly Visa Bulletin becomes 'current', the applicant can complete the green card process. Wait times vary from months (EB-1) to decades (certain EB-2/EB-3 India and China categories).

US EB-2 green card self-petition pathway — no employer sponsorship required.

The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a self-petition pathway within the EB-2 employment-based immigrant visa category. It allows applicants with an advanced degree or exceptional ability to waive the usual employer sponsorship and PERM labour certification requirements if they can demonstrate their work is in the substantial national interest of the United States. NIW applicants must prove their work has substantial merit and national importance, they are well-positioned to advance it, and the waiver benefits the US on balance.

UK permanent residence status — no time limit on living and working in the UK.

Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) is the UK's permanent residence status, granting the right to live and work in the UK without a time limit or any visa conditions. Most legal migrants become eligible after 5 years of continuous lawful residence (Skilled Worker, Global Talent routes) or a shorter qualifying period (10-year long residence rule). ILR holders can apply for British citizenship after a further 12 months. ILR is lost after 2 continuous years of absence from the UK.

Mandatory UK healthcare fee paid by most non-EEA visa applicants.

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is a fee paid by most non-EEA nationals applying for UK visas lasting more than 6 months, granting access to NHS services during the stay. As of 2024, the IHS is £1,035 per year for adults and £776 per year for children/students. Payment is required upfront for the full visa duration and must be completed before submitting the visa application. Exemptions apply for certain visa categories including PBS (Tier 1–5) dependants of NHS workers.

UK digital document issued by a licensed sponsor to a foreign worker or student.

A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a unique reference number issued by a UK Home Office licensed sponsor (employer or educational institution) to a foreign national they wish to recruit. Workers need a Defined CoS (tied to a specific job), while students receive a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). The CoS number is mandatory for Skilled Worker, Student, Global Talent, and other UK visa applications. Sponsors must be approved on the UK Register of Licensed Sponsors.

UK card confirming immigration permission for visa holders staying 6+ months.

A Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) is a card issued to non-EEA nationals who are granted UK immigration permission for more than 6 months, or who are given indefinite leave to enter or remain. The BRP displays the holder's photograph, fingerprints, visa conditions, and entitlements. Since 2024, the UK has been transitioning from physical BRPs to the eVisa system, where immigration status is digital and accessible via the UK Visas and Immigration online portal.

EU residence and work permit for highly skilled non-EU professionals.

The EU Blue Card is a combined work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU nationals employed in EU member states. Applicants must hold a higher education qualification (or equivalent 5-year professional experience) and a job offer meeting the minimum salary threshold (Germany 2024: €45,552 general; €35,100 for shortage occupations). The EU Blue Card offers accelerated permanent residency (21 months for B1 German speakers; 33 months standard) and simplified intra-EU mobility after 12 months.

Germany's points-based job-seeker visa — enter Germany to find work without a job offer.

The Chancenkarte (Opportunity Card) is a German immigration innovation introduced in June 2024 under the Skilled Immigration Act reform. It allows qualified non-EU nationals without a prior job offer to enter Germany for up to 1 year to seek employment. Eligibility requires a minimum of 6 points from the scoring system (education abroad, German/English proficiency, work experience, age, connection to Germany). A short-term preliminary engagement of up to 20 hours/week is permitted while job-seeking.

Pre-travel authorization for visa-exempt visitors to the Schengen Area — launching 2025.

ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a mandatory pre-travel screening system for nationals of countries currently exempt from Schengen visas (e.g. USA, UK, Canada, Australia). It is not a visa — it is a travel authorisation linked to the passport. ETIAS checks travellers against EU security databases before arrival. Each ETIAS authorisation costs €7 and is valid for 3 years (or until passport expiry). ETIAS was expected to launch in 2025 following several delays.

EU rule limiting visa-exempt visitors to 90 days in any 180-day rolling period.

The Schengen 90/180 rule restricts nationals of visa-exempt countries from spending more than 90 days in the Schengen Area within any rolling 180-day period. The 180-day window is not fixed — it rolls forward daily, and any Schengen country day counts toward the 90-day limit regardless of which country you were in. Overstaying triggers entry bans, fines, and potential ETIAS/visa refusals. Use a Schengen calculator to track your remaining days.

Australia's employer-sponsored temporary work visa — replaces the 457.

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, subclass 482, allows Australian employers to address genuine skill shortages by sponsoring overseas workers for up to 2 years (medium-term stream) or 4 years (short-term stream). Applicants must be nominated for an occupation on the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) or Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), meet the relevant skills assessment, English language, and minimum salary requirements (TSMIT: AUD 73,150 in 2024).

Australia's online system for skilled migration expressions of interest.

SkillSelect is Australia's online immigration management tool where skilled migrants lodge Expressions of Interest (EOI) for skilled migration programs including the Skilled Independent visa (189), Skilled Nominated visa (190), and Skilled Work Regional visa (491). The Department of Home Affairs and state/territory governments use SkillSelect to draw down and invite the highest-ranked candidates. Points scores are based on age, English, skilled employment, qualifications, and additional factors.

Immigration framework that scores candidates on skills, experience and language.

A points-based immigration system (PBS) ranks applicants using quantifiable criteria including age, educational attainment, work experience, language proficiency, and job offer. Countries using PBS include Canada (Express Entry CRS), Australia (SkillSelect), UK (Skilled Worker route), New Zealand (Skilled Migrant Category), and Germany (Chancenkarte). PBS systems allow governments to manage migration volume and skill composition while providing applicants with transparent, objective eligibility criteria.

Residency permit for remote workers to legally live abroad while earning from foreign employers.

A digital nomad visa (also called remote work visa or freelancer visa) grants temporary residency to foreign nationals who work remotely for employers or clients based outside the host country. More than 50 countries now offer digital nomad visas, including Portugal (D8), Germany (Freiberufler), UAE (Virtual Working Programme), Spain (Digital Nomad Visa), and Costa Rica. Requirements typically include proof of minimum monthly income (USD 2,000–3,000), health insurance, and a clean criminal record.

Residency by investment program — permanent residence in exchange for qualifying investment.

A Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program that grants permanent or long-term residence to foreign nationals who make a qualifying investment in the host country. Popular Golden Visa programs include Portugal (real estate or capital transfer), Spain (€500,000 real estate), Greece (€250,000 property), UAE (USD 545,000 property), and Malta (by naturalization). Benefits include visa-free travel within the EU/Schengen zone, path to citizenship, and favorable tax treatment in certain jurisdictions.

Pre-application declaration of interest in a skilled migration program.

An Expression of Interest (EOI) is a non-binding registration of interest in a skilled migration pathway, used in Australia (SkillSelect), New Zealand (Skilled Migrant Category), and some provincial programs. Candidates submit an EOI with their points score and wait for an invitation from the government. Only invited candidates can then apply for the actual visa. EOI-based systems allow governments to select the most qualified candidates while giving applicants transparency about their competitiveness.

Visa allowing employees of multinationals to transfer to a foreign branch.

An Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa allows employees of multinational companies to be temporarily transferred to a branch, subsidiary, or affiliate in another country. ICT visa holders must typically have been employed by the company for at least 1 year and hold a specialized knowledge, managerial, or executive position. Major ICT visas include the US L-1 visa, UK ICT route (now merged into Skilled Worker), Canadian Intra-Company Transferee, and Australian Subclass 494.

Status granting the right to live and work indefinitely in a foreign country.

Permanent Residency (PR) grants a foreign national the right to reside and work in a country indefinitely, with rights similar to citizens except voting and holding certain public offices. PR is distinct from citizenship — PR holders still hold their original passport. PR can be lost through extended absence (e.g. UK ILR: 2 years; Canada PR: must spend 730 days in Canada per 5 years). PR is typically a prerequisite for naturalization. Major PR programs include Canada's Express Entry, Australia's General Skilled Migration, and the US green card.

Remaining in a country after the authorized period of stay expires.

A visa overstay occurs when a foreign national remains in a country beyond the permitted period of stay printed on their visa or I-94 record. Overstaying has serious consequences: in the US, overstays of 180+ days trigger 3-year re-entry bars; 1-year+ overstays trigger 10-year bars; and unlawful presence permanently bars individuals who departed under removal. In the EU/Schengen, overstays can result in multi-year entry bans and invalidation of ETIAS authorisation. Always depart before your visa expires.

An employer or institution formally vouching for and supporting a visa applicant.

Immigration sponsorship is the formal process whereby an employer, educational institution, or family member vouches for a foreign national's immigration application. The sponsor accepts legal responsibility for ensuring the applicant meets visa conditions. Employer sponsorship requirements vary: in the UK, sponsors must hold a valid licence from the Home Office; in Australia, sponsors must be Standard Business Sponsors (SBS); in the US, sponsoring employers file I-129 petitions with USCIS. Fraudulent sponsorship can result in sponsor licence revocation and criminal penalties.

Fingerprints and facial photo collected at visa application centres.

Immigration biometrics refers to the collection of fingerprints (all 10 fingers) and a digital photograph at a visa application centre (VAC) or embassy. Required for most long-stay visa applications to Canada, USA, UK, Australia, EU Schengen, and UAE. Biometric data is stored in government databases and checked at border crossings. Biometric enrollment fees are typically USD 85–130 and are separate from the main visa fee. Children under a certain age (US: 14; UK: 5) may be exempt.