COMMON ABBREVIATIONS FROM THE BROAD LISTS:
AIP Approval in Principle sometimes also called first stage approval
AOR Acknowledgement of Receipt does not necessarily mean they have begun processing it sometimes this is skipped and the first you hear from CIC is for SA
ARC Authorization to Return to Canada
ATIP Access to Information and Privacy specifying the Act that people make requests for GCMS notes.
AVRES Security Background Decision
b.f. Bona fide "in good faith"
BFD or BF'D Bring Forward to Date
CAIPS Computer Assisted Immigration Processing System. This is the computer system used by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for storing all overseas visa application information. This system records every bit of information you provide. It is like an electronic identity; existence of the applicant. THIS SYSTEM IS NO LONGER IN USE. REFER TO GCMS
CBSA Canada Border Services Agency
CHC Canadian High Commission
AIP Approval in Principle sometimes also called first stage approval
AVRES Security Background Decision
b.f. Bona fide "in good faith"
BFD or BF'D Bring Forward to
CEC Canadian Experience Class
CPCM Case Processing Centre - Mississauga
CSQ
Certificate du Selection du Quebec (Quebec Certificate of Selection)
DM Decision Made
e-CAS e-Client Application Status.
ECAS (e-CAS) Electronic Client Application Status This on-line service allows CIC clients to view securely the status of immigration and/or citizenship application(s) on-line, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You may use this service if you have sponsored a member of the family class, applied for permanent residence from within or outside Canada, applied for a permanent resident card (initial, replacement or renewal), applied for a grant of Canadian citizenship, or applied for a proof of Canadian citizenship. Often applicants will receive information in advance of the ECAS being updated. Or no information will be sent and one should check with the visa office to which they applied
FSWP Federal Skilled Worker Program
GCMS Global Case Management System Citizenship and Immigration Canada's single, integrated and worldwide system used internally to process applications for citizenship and immigration services. This is very helpful when anything abnormal happens (e.g. delay in reply, lack of updation, long processing time). It is also helpful when you are selected for the interview. You can know the probable cause of interview requirement by making an ATIP request for your GCMS notes
HC Humanitarian and Compassionate In the case of Canadian immigration, refers to section A25(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Any person who does not comply with the three categories of immigration to Canada (family, economic and refugee) may ask to be considered for immigration selection on HC grounds.
IELTS International English Language Testing System General Training' exams, not the 'Academic Training' exams.One of only two English language testing organizations approved by CIC (CELPIP is the other). Note that Skilled Worker applicants will want to complete the IELTS
IP In Process
NCR No Criminal Record From CAIPS
NER Negative Eligibility Review
PA Principal applicant
PCC Police Clearance Certificate
PER Positive Eligibility Review
PNP Provincial Nomination Program
PPR Passport Request
PRV Permanent Residence Visa
RC-9570 Code for CPC-Mississauga
RCMP Royal Canadian Mounted Police
RPRF Right of Permanent Residence Fee
RRSP Registered Retirement Savings Plan
SA Sponsor Approval
SIN Social Insurance Number
SWP Skilled Worker Program
TRV Temporary Residence Visa
VO Visa Office
COPR Confirmation of Permanent Resident Form When an immigrant is approved for permanent residence in Canada, they receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence document. An immigration officer at the port of entry or a CIC office signs and dates this document when permanent residence is finally granted. This document is used by permanent residents to show to provincial and territorial organizations in order to access services. There is an immigration category printed on this document. DO NOT LOSE THIS DOCUMENT. IT IS YOUR OFFICIAL RECORD OF PR (along with the PR card)
DM Decision Made
DMP Designated Medical Practitioner Under the Skilled Worker Program application all family members must undergo a medical exam, performed by a doctor that has been approved by Citizenship and Immigration
EE Express Entry New PR application System
EFL English as a Foreign Language
EI Employment Insurance also sometimes referred to as unemployment insurance)
ELT English Language Training/Teaching
ESL English as a Second Language
ESOL English for Speakers of Other Languages
FOSS Field Operations Support System used in CAIPS as well, is a central database of applications
FSWP Federal Skilled Worker Program
GST Goods and Services Tax
