Adjustment of StatusUnited StatesThe process through which some eligible people physically present in the United States apply to become lawful permanent residents without completing immigrant visa processing abroad.AdmissibilityGeneralThe legal assessment of whether a person may enter or remain in a country, including medical, criminal, security and misrepresentation considerations.Affidavit of SupportUnited StatesA legally enforceable financial sponsorship document required in many family-based and some employment-based immigrant cases.Canadian Experience Class (CEC)CanadaAn Express Entry-managed permanent residence program for eligible applicants with qualifying skilled work experience gained in Canada.Category-Based SelectionCanadaExpress Entry invitation rounds that target candidates with specified language ability, occupations or other attributes established by IRCC.Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS)CanadaThe points system used to rank eligible Express Entry candidates based on core, spouse, skill-transferability and additional factors.Conditional Permanent ResidenceUnited StatesA time-limited form of permanent residence that requires a later petition to remove conditions, including in qualifying EB-5 and recent-marriage cases.Consular ProcessingUnited StatesThe immigrant visa process completed through the National Visa Center and a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the United States.Designated Learning Institution (DLI)CanadaA school approved by a provincial or territorial government to host international students. DLI status alone does not guarantee post-graduation work permit eligibility.Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)CanadaA report comparing eligible foreign educational credentials with Canadian education, often used for Express Entry and related programs.Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)CanadaAn electronic entry requirement for many visa-exempt foreign nationals travelling to Canada by air; it is not a work or study permit.Express EntryCanadaCanada’s electronic system for managing applications under several federal economic immigration programs and some provincial nominations.Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)CanadaAn Express Entry-managed program for eligible skilled workers with qualifying foreign or Canadian experience who meet program selection criteria.Green CardUnited StatesThe commonly used term for evidence of lawful permanent resident status in the United States.Invitation to Apply (ITA)CanadaAn invitation issued through an immigration selection system that permits the invited candidate to submit a complete application within the stated deadline.Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)CanadaAn assessment by Employment and Social Development Canada of the likely labour-market effect of hiring a foreign worker for a particular role.Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR)United StatesA person authorized to live permanently in the United States, subject to maintaining status and complying with applicable law.Maintained StatusCanadaThe ability of some temporary residents who applied to extend status before expiry to remain under specified conditions while a decision is pending.National Interest Waiver (NIW)United StatesAn EB-2 framework that may waive the job-offer and labour-certification requirements for an eligible applicant whose proposed endeavour satisfies the NIW test.National Occupational Classification (NOC)CanadaCanada’s system for describing occupations according to work performed, responsibilities, training, education and experience.New Commercial EnterpriseUnited StatesThe qualifying business entity into which an EB-5 investor places capital under the immigrant investor framework.ParoleUnited StatesDiscretionary permission to enter or remain temporarily in the United States without being formally admitted in an immigration status.Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP)CanadaAn open work permit potentially available to graduates who satisfy current institution, program, study and application requirements.Priority DateUnited StatesA date that generally establishes a person’s place in line for a numerically limited immigrant visa category.Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)CanadaImmigration programs through which provinces and territories nominate eligible people who intend to establish themselves in that jurisdiction.Removal of ConditionsUnited StatesThe later petition process through which a conditional permanent resident asks USCIS to remove the conditions on residence.Restoration of StatusCanadaA time-limited process through which certain people who lost temporary resident status may apply to restore it, subject to eligibility.Source and Path of FundsUnited StatesEvidence showing how investment capital was lawfully earned or obtained and how it moved from its origin into the qualifying enterprise.Super VisaCanadaA multiple-entry temporary resident visa for eligible parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, subject to insurance, host-income and other requirements.Targeted Employment Area (TEA)United StatesA qualifying rural or high-unemployment area relevant to certain EB-5 investment and reserved-visa considerations under current law.TEERCanadaThe Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities categories used within Canada’s National Occupational Classification system.Treaty Investor (E-2)United StatesA temporary classification for eligible treaty-country nationals who invest substantially in and develop and direct a bona fide U.S. enterprise.Visa BulletinUnited StatesThe monthly Department of State publication showing immigrant visa availability by preference category and country of chargeability.Visitor RecordCanadaA document that extends or limits a visitor’s authorized stay inside Canada; it is not a travel visa.Work PermitCanadaAuthorization allowing a foreign national to work in Canada under employer-specific or open conditions, subject to the permit and applicable law. 
