The biological or non-biological parent listed on the original birth certificate or birth record of a child.

This does not include

• parents who adopted the child after they were born

• legal guardians

A document sent from a visa office to confirm approval of:

• a study permit, or

• a work permit, or

• extended stay for a parent or grandparent from a country that does not require visas (the Super Visa program).

Applicants must present the letter when they arrive in Canada.

A letter from a person in Canada on behalf of a friend or family member who wants to visit. This may be helpful if the visitor is from a country where visas are required to travel to and enter Canada.

The letter should explain how they plan to help the visitor and whether they have the financial means to support the person during a longer visit.

A letter that event organizers need to give delegates when they apply for a visa to come to Canada.

The letter should include information on the event to establish:

• the delegate’s purpose of travel to Canada, and

• plans once in Canada.

The letter should also indicate if financial assistance is given to delegates, such as airline tickets and accommodations.

A letter of support is given to the applicant by the designated angel investor group or venture capital fund. It is proof that they will support your business idea.

A selection factor under the Federal Skilled Worker Program for which points are awarded. It is based on the certificate, diploma or degree obtained, and the number of years of schooling.

There are five levels of study for foreign students in Canada. They are:

• Universities: Offer degree-granting programs at the undergraduate (bachelor’s) graduate (master’s), and postgraduate (doctoral, post-doctoral) levels, and may also offer programs leading to certificates or diplomas in various academic disciplines.

• Colleges: Offer academic or professional training programs leading to diplomas or certificates (includes CEGEPs in Quebec, which is generally mandatory before attending university).

• Trade: Non-university educational institutions in Canada that offer vocational trades and/or technical programs (such as vocational institutions, or private career colleges).

• Other post-secondary: Post-secondary studies that are not undertaken at university, college or trade school. This includes studies at language institutions and private institutions, and in university qualifying programs.

• Secondary or less: Includes primary and secondary schools in Canada.

• Other: Studies that cannot be classified at any of the above levels of study.

A person who is qualified to provide care for children, elderly people or people with disabilities in private homes without supervision. A live-in caregiver must live in the private home of their employer while they work in Canada.

An IRCC service location in Canada. This term does not include ports of entry or CPCs.

To freeze information so that it does not change over time, regardless of how long processing takes.

For example, we lock your child’s age when your application is received. This is called the lock in date. Lock-in dates vary depending on your immigration program or category. When we process your child’s application, we use the age on lock in date to see if your child qualifies as a dependant.

See the lock in dates by immigration or category.

Income levels set out by the Government of Canada where a family spends a higher percentage on necessities than other families. A family must be above the cut-off in order to

• sponsor a family member to immigrate to Canada, or

• host parents or grandparents for an extended stay.

This is a legal extension of status that allows temporary residents to stay in Canada while we process their application. To be eligible, the temporary resident must apply to extend their status before it expires. This used to be known as “implied status.” Find out what you’re allowed to do while you wait for your application to be processed if you

• extend or change the conditions of your work permit

• extend or change the conditions of your study permit

• extend your stay as a visitor