Are you handling your relocation independently and encountering obstacles with certain immigration acronyms and abbreviations? I understand it can be frustrating.
Managing the relocation process may lead to difficulties in navigating unfamiliar legal requirements and complexities which involves immigration acronyms.
So join us in deciphering 48 immigration acronyms and abbreviations peculiar to the U.S, U.K, Canada and the E.U.
Table of Contents
U.S. Immigration Acronyms
1. USCIS – United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
The USCIS is the agency responsible for administering immigration benefits, such as visa applications, green cards, and naturalization.
2. CBP – U.S. Customs and Border Protection
They are responsible for inspecting travelers, conducting customs operations, and ensuring the security of the nation’s borders.
3. ICE – Immigration and Customs Enforcement
They are responsible for apprehending and removing individuals who are in the country without proper authorization.
4. DOS – U.S. Department of State
The DOS handles visa issuance and diplomatic relations.
5. DHS – Department of Homeland Security
DHS oversees various aspects of national security, including immigration enforcement.
6. NIV- Non-Immigrant Visa
This is a type of visa issued to foreign nationals seeking to enter the United States on a temporary basis for tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work.
8. SEVP- Student and Exchange Visitor Program
Manages foreign students and exchange visitors under the F and M student status in the United States.
7. DSO- Designated School Official
An employee appointed by an American college or university under the SEVP-Approved schools.
9. SEVIS- Student Exchange Visa Information System
A system used by the DHS to maintain and manage information about students accepted into an approved SEVP.
10. Form I-20 – Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status
This form certifies your eligibility for the F-I visa.
11. I-94: Arrival/Departure Forms
This form records the arrival and departure dates of people visiting the United States of America.
12. EAD – Employment Authorization Document
A document that allows individuals to legally work in the United States.
13. VWP- Visa Waiver Program
A program that enables foreigners to travel to the United States for tourism or business for a period of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
14. H1B – H-1B Visa
The H-1B visa is for skilled foreign workers. Understanding the requirements and application process is essential for professionals seeking to work in the U.S.
U.K Immigration Acronyms
15. UKCISA – UK Council for International Student Affairs
An organization that provides advice and support to international students in the UK.
16. UKVI – UK Visas and Immigration
This is the division of the Home Office responsible for managing immigration and visas.
17. Tier 4 Visa
A type of Visa issued to International students desiring to pursue a degree in any university or college in the U.K.
18. BNO – British National (Overseas)
A status for certain residents of Hong Kong that provides a pathway to British citizenship.
19. ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain
A status that allows non-EEA nationals to live and work in the UK without restrictions.
20. EEA – European Economic Area
A region that includes EU member states and some other European countries, allowing for the free movement of people.
21. BRP – Biometric Residence Permit
A document issued to non-EEA nationals who are granted permission to stay in the UK.
22. PBS – Points-Based System
The UK’s immigration system for managing the entry of skilled workers, students, and entrepreneurs.
23. NHS – National Health Service
The publicly-funded healthcare system in the UK.
24. IHS – Immigration Health Surcharge
A fee paid by non-EEA nationals as part of their visa application to access NHS services.
25. I/V- Interview
This is basically an abbreviation for the word interview, so when you see this don’t fret.
26. CAS- Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
This is an electronic record provided by the institution for the Home Office and it is required for your Student Visa application.
27. VAF- Visa Application Form
As the name implies, this is the form anyone intending to acquire a U.K visa fills out.
28. ATAS- Academic Technology Approval Scheme
A scheme which certifies international students and researchers intending to study or carry out research in sensitive subjects at Postgraduate level.
29. VFS – Visa Facilitation Service
An agency that assists with visa application processes for certain countries, including the UK.
30. GWF – Global Web Form
A reference number used for tracking visa applications online.
31. IELTS- International English Language Testing System
An organization that conducts English language proficiency tests for UK visa applicants.
Canada Immigration Acronyms
32. IRCC – Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
The government department responsible for immigration and citizenship matters.
33. IRPA- Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
These are regulations that revolves around and respects immigration to Canada, this act also grants refugees protection.
34. PR – Permanent Residency
The status that allows individuals to live and work in Canada indefinitely.
35. Designated Learning Institution
This is a provincial or territorial government approved school, permitted to admit and host international students.
36. CRS – Comprehensive Ranking System
The points-based system used in Express Entry to select candidates for immigration to Canada.
37. PNP – Provincial Nominee Program
Program that allows Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals for permanent residency based on local labor market needs. Click here to read about other programs like this.
38. LMIA – Labor Market Impact Assessment
An assessment required for employers to hire foreign workers in Canada.
39. COPR – Confirmation of Permanent Residence
A document issued to approved permanent residency applicants before they travel to Canada.
40. FSW – Federal Skilled Worker Program
One of the immigration programs managed under Express Entry.
41. IEC – International Experience Canada
A program that provides working holiday, internship, and exchange opportunities for young people from partner countries.
42. TRV – Temporary Resident Visa
A visa required for individuals from certain countries to visit Canada temporarily.
43. IRB – Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
An independent tribunal that makes decisions on immigration and refugee cases.
44. IAD – Immigration Appeal Division
A division of the IRB that handles appeals related to immigration admissibility issues.
E.U. Immigration Acronyms
45. EU – European Union
The EU is a political and economic union of European countries.
46. EURODAC– European Asylum Dactyloscopy Database
Eurodac is a fingerprint database used to identify asylum seekers and irregular migrants within the EU.
47. EURES – European Employment Services
A network that facilitates the free movement of workers within the EU.
48. SIS – Schengen Information System
A database used by law enforcement agencies to track individuals and objects of interest within the Schengen Area.
Didn’t know about 95% of this. Thank you for sharing.
This has been very helpful!!!!!
Thank you