See Naturalization.

A group of five or more Canadian citizens or permanent residents, each of whom is at least 18 years of age, who agree to work together to sponsor a refugee.

A guarantor is a person who can confirm your identity and the information you have provided. If you do not have a guarantor who has known you for at least two (2) years, you must complete a Statutory Declaration in Lieu of Guarantor.

A document that allows a person to receive public health care in a Canadian province or territory. Newcomers can apply for a health card when they arrive in Canada.

See Health insurance.

A Canadian provincial or territorial government program that pays for essential health services provided by doctors, hospitals and certain non-physician practitioners. Newcomers must apply to their provincial or territorial health insurance plan to get coverage and a health card.

See Health card.

See the legal definition of health card.

A Government of Canada office, is the same as an embassy, but is located in the capital city of a Commonwealth country.

Example: High Commission of Canada to the United Kingdom in London

See Embassy, Visa office, Consulate.

People who would not normally be eligible to become permanent residents of Canada may be able to apply on humanitarian and compassionate (H & C) grounds.

(H & C) grounds apply to people with exceptional cases. Factors that are looked at include:

• how settled the person is in Canada,

• general family ties to Canada,

• the best interests of any children involved, and

• the degree of hardship that the applicant would experience if the request is not granted and they must leave Canada in order to apply for permanent residence.

(H & C) decision makers will not look at the risk factors that are looked at in an in-Canada refugee protection claim or a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). These factors which are outside the scope of an (H & C) application include persecution, danger of torture or risk to life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

An office in Canada that supports immigration, citizenship, and settlement programs. This term does not include ports of entry or case processing centres.

A card used to prove who someone is. It can be issued by a government or by a recognized international agency, such as the United Nations.

An official document issued by an IRCC or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office, Case Processing Centre (CPC) or Canadian visa office outside Canada, such as one of the following:

• Immigrant visa and record of landing (IMM 1000),

• Confirmation of permanent residence (IMM 5292),

• Permanent resident card,

• visitor record,

• work permit,

• study permit or

• temporary resident permit.

An officer responsible for deciding who can enter and stay in Canada. They usually work at Ports of Entry (airports, land border crossings) or one of our offices in Canada. They may check documents and interview applicants to make sure applications are accurate.

A non-citizen’s position in a country—for example, permanent resident or visitor.