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Long and short of immigration terms |
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CAIPS? CIC? IELTS? If you've just embarked on your quest to emigrate to
Canada, you will probably come up against these terms that everyone
uses, but which make little sense to you. Well, be confused no more,
for we have compiled a glossary of frequently used terms for would-be
immigrants and newcomers to Canada.
- AOR - Acknowledgement of Receipt
- 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 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
obtaining the CAIPS notes.
- CANN - Community Airport Newcomers’ Network
- CELPIP - Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program.
This is one of only two English language testing organizations approved
by CIC (IELTS is the other). CELPIP testing is only available in Canada
(Vancouver and Toronto) and China.
- CPP - Canada Pension Plan
- CIC - Citizenship and Immigration Canada
- CICIC - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
- CIDA - Canadian International Development Agency
- COPR - Confirmation of Permanent Resident Form
- CSQ - Certificate du Selection du Quebec (Quebec Certificate of Selection)
- 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 Canada.
- IRPA - Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- IRPR - Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
- EAL - English as an Additional Language
- e-CAS - e-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.
- 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
- ESP - English for Specific Purposes
- GIC - Guaranteed Investment Certificate
- GST - Goods and Services Tax
- H&C grounds - Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds. 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
H&C grounds.
- HRDC (see HRSDC) - former Human Resources Development Canada
- HRSDC - Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. The
government agency responsible for performing both Arranged Employment
Opinions and Labour Market Opinions for the purposes of obtaining
employment confirmation letters. Such letters may be required by
Skilled Worker applicants when attempting to qualify for the additional
ten points under the Arranged Employment Factor.
- ICCS - International Council for Canadian Studies
- ID - Identification
- IELTS - International English Language Testing System. 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 'General Training' exams, not the 'Academic
Training' exams.
- IRPA - Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- MSP - Medical Services Plan
- NOC - National Occupational Classification
- NGO - Non-Governmental Organization
- OLA - Open Learning Agency
- PST - Provincial Sales Tax
- RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- RRPF - Right of Permanent Residence Fee
- RRSP - Registered Retirement Savings Plan
- SIN -Social Insurance Number
- SWP - Skilled Worker Program
- TEF - Test d'Evaluation de Français. The only French language
testing organization approved by CIC. Note that Skilled Workers
are to complete the following tests: Comprehension Ocrite /
Comprehension Orale / Expression Ecrite / Expression Orale.
- VSO - Voluntary Services Overseas
- WCB - Workers’ Compensation Board
- YMCA - Young Men’s Christian Association
- YWCA - Young Women’s Christian Association
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