Glossary · 31 terms
Every visa acronym, defined.
Plain-language definitions for the terms you keep meeting in visa, immigration, and student-housing law — across the US, UK, and Canada.
A
ATAS
Academic Technology Approval Scheme
- United Kingdom
A security clearance some sensitive postgraduate courses (mostly STEM) require before you can apply for a UK Student visa. Your offer letter will say if you need it.
B
Biometrics
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
Fingerprints and a photograph collected at a visa application centre as part of your application. Required by all three countries for most student visa/permit categories.
BRP
Biometric Residence Permit
- United Kingdom
A physical card that proved your right to live, work, or study in the UK. Being phased out in favour of digital eVisas — check gov.uk for your current proof method.
C
CAS
Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
- United Kingdom
A reference number your UK university issues once they have offered you a place. You enter the CAS on your Student visa application — without it, you can’t apply.
CPT
Curricular Practical Training
- United States
Work authorisation tied to a specific employer and curriculum requirement (e.g. an internship for credit). Authorised by your school’s DSO — not USCIS — and only while you are enrolled.
CRS
Comprehensive Ranking System
- Canada
The points-based score Canada uses to rank Express Entry candidates. Built from age, education, language, work experience, and adaptability factors.
See also
D
DLI
Designated Learning Institution
- Canada
A Canadian school approved to host international students. Only DLI acceptance letters work for a study permit — check the public list before paying any deposit.
DS-160
Form DS-160 · Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
- United States
The online application you complete at the US consulate website before any non-immigrant visa interview. Save the confirmation barcode — you need it at the appointment.
DSO
Designated School Official
- United States
The staff member at your US school authorised to sign your I-20 and update your SEVIS record. Your first call for any F-1 question — travel signatures, CPT approval, programme extensions.
E
Express Entry
EE
- Canada
Canada’s online system for managing skilled-worker PR applications. Profiles are ranked by a Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS); top scorers are invited to apply.
See also
F
F-1 visa
F1 visa · F-1 student visa
- United States
The standard US non-immigrant visa for full-time academic study. Issued to students who have been accepted to a SEVP-certified school and can show they will return home after finishing.
Forex
Foreign exchange
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
The market that sets the exchange rate between currencies. Banks usually charge a margin on top of the mid-market rate — compare a few before sending tuition.
Form I-20
I-20 · Certificate of Eligibility
- United States
The paper (or PDF) your school issues that proves you are enrolled and how your studies are funded. You need it to pay the SEVIS fee, schedule a visa interview, and re-enter the US after travel.
See also
G
GIC
Guaranteed Investment Certificate
- Canada
A locked deposit (usually CA$20,635) some study-permit applicants buy from a Canadian bank to prove funds. Released back to you in instalments after you arrive.
Graduate Route
UK Graduate visa · PSW
- United Kingdom
Post-study work visa that lets eligible graduates stay in the UK for up to 2 years (3 for PhDs) to work or look for work. Apply from inside the UK before your Student visa ends.
H
H-1B visa
H1B
- United States
A US work visa for specialty occupations. Most international students move from OPT to H-1B through their employer; selection is by an annual lottery.
See also
I
I-901 SEVIS fee
SEVIS fee
- United States
A one-time fee paid to the US government before your visa interview. Required for F-1 and most J-1 applicants — pay online and keep the receipt for the consulate.
See also
I-94
- United States
The US arrival/departure record that shows how long you’re allowed to stay. F-1 students are admitted for "Duration of Status" (D/S); check your I-94 online after each entry.
IHS
Immigration Health Surcharge
- United Kingdom
An annual NHS fee paid alongside your UK visa application. Lets you use the NHS the same way UK residents do for the length of your visa.
See also
IRCC
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Canada
The Canadian department that decides study permits, work permits, and PR applications. The official source for processing times, fees, and form changes.
N
NCLC
Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens
- Canada
Canadian language benchmarks for French. Higher NCLC scores boost your CRS and qualify you for category-based Express Entry draws targeting French speakers.
See also
O
OPT
Optional Practical Training
- United States
Up to 12 months of work authorisation that lets F-1 students work in the US in their field of study. Apply through USCIS using Form I-765; STEM degrees may add a 24-month extension.
P
PAL
Provincial Attestation Letter
- Canada
A letter most undergraduate study-permit applicants need from the destination province as part of Canada’s 2024 cap. Your DLI requests it on your behalf.
PGWP
Post-Graduation Work Permit
- Canada
An open work permit that lets you work in Canada after finishing studies at an eligible DLI. Length matches your programme length, up to 3 years.
PNP
Provincial Nominee Program
- Canada
A pathway where individual Canadian provinces nominate candidates for PR based on local labour-market needs. Each province runs its own streams and rules.
See also
R
Remittance
- United States
- United Kingdom
- Canada
Money sent across borders — typically what your family wires in for tuition and living costs. Forex spreads and bank fees can add 1–4% on top of the headline rate.
S
SEVIS
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
- United States
The US government database that tracks every F-1 and J-1 student. Your school updates SEVIS when you enrol, change addresses, work, or take time off — keep your SEVIS record current or your status can be terminated.
Student visa
UK Student visa · Tier 4 visa
- United Kingdom
The UK visa for full-time study, formerly called Tier 4. Sponsored by your university through a CAS — your visa is tied to the course and the institution.
Study permit
Canadian study permit
- Canada
The document that lets you study in Canada at a designated learning institution. Most students also need a visitor visa or eTA to actually enter — the permit alone does not let you in.
U
UKVI
UK Visas and Immigration
- United Kingdom
The part of the Home Office that decides UK visa applications. Your sponsor university talks to UKVI through the Sponsor Management System.
USCIS
US Citizenship and Immigration Services
- United States
The US agency that decides immigration benefits — OPT, change of status, H-1B, green cards. Not the same as the consulate (visa stamping) or CBP (port of entry).