UNREDACTED.CA

Glossary

What the letter or status actually means, then the official expansion. Sources are IRCC, ESDC, or Justice Laws pages, last checked 21 Aug 2026.

If a public page and the Express Entry completeness PDI disagree, the PDI wins. This site does not collect a UCI, an application number, or an upload.

First six

The letters people actually get, plus the two open work permits that get mixed up.

Any IRCC file where an officer has a concern that could refuse the application: permanent residence, work, study, or admissibility.

PFL

Procedural Fairness Letter

IRCC has a concern that could refuse the file. You get a chance to answer first.

Open the term
Any application already with IRCC: permanent residence, work, or study.

ADR

Additional documents on a file already in process

More information on a file already in process. Letter or portal field with a deadline.

Open the term
Permanent residence first. Also used on other IRCC files once a complete application is accepted into processing.

AOR

Acknowledgement of Receipt

The PR file passed completeness and is in the system.

Open the term
Express Entry permanent residence, after an invitation to apply.

eAPR

electronic Application for Permanent Residence

The application after an ITA. Sixty days. Completeness against the Express Entry completeness PDI.

Open the term
Temporary residence. Open work permit for certain people with an eligible permanent residence file in process.

BOWP

Bridging Open Work Permit

An open work permit that can keep you working while a qualifying PR file is already in process.

Open the term
Temporary residence. Open work permit for graduates of eligible designated learning institutions.

PGWP

Post-Graduation Work Permit

An open work permit for graduates of eligible DLIs, applied inside the program window.

Open the term

Also in this slice

Definitions that sit next to the first six. UCI is a definition only.

Records requests to IRCC under the Access to Information Act or the Privacy Act.

ATIP

Access to Information and Privacy

The legal route to the records IRCC already holds about a file or about you.

Open the term
IRCC internal case system. You see extracts through ATIP or, on some refusals, officer decision notes.

GCMS

Global Case Management System

The system officers use. A notes request is a request for the records in that system.

Open the term
Express Entry permanent residence.

ITA

Invitation to Apply

IRCC invited a ranked profile to file the eAPR. Sixty days from that invitation.

Open the term
Express Entry pool ranking. Not the Federal Skilled Worker 67-point grid.

CRS

Comprehensive Ranking System

The points system that ranks profiles in the Express Entry pool.

Open the term
Temporary residence: work, study, or visitor extensions filed before the current status expires.

Maintained status

Maintained status (formerly implied status)

You applied to extend or change status before it expired. You can stay in Canada while IRCC decides.

Open the term
Permanent residence, and some temporary residence files.

IME

Immigration Medical Examination

The panel-physician exam IRCC uses for medical admissibility.

Open the term
Express Entry and other economic PR files that claim foreign education.

ECA

Educational Credential Assessment

A report from a designated organization that a completed foreign credential equals a completed Canadian credential.

Open the term
Work classification for Express Entry, PNP, and work permits.

NOC / TEER

National Occupational Classification / Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities

The official occupation system. TEER is the second digit of the five-digit NOC 2021 code.

Open the term
Completeness of an immigration application. On Express Entry this is the completeness check before the AOR.

R10

Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, section 10

The regulation that says what a complete application is. Incomplete means rejected, not refused on the merits.

Open the term
Any IRCC or CBSA immigration or citizenship file where someone else will conduct business for you.

IMM 5476

Use of a Representative

The form that appoints, updates, or cancels a representative.

Open the term
Contact IRCC about an application already filed, a technical problem, or a general program question.

Web form

IRCC web form

The official online contact channel. Use it to update a file or send a document they asked for when the portal will not take it.

Open the term
IRCC client identity. Same person, many applications.

UCI

Unique Client Identifier

IRCC client number for you. Definition only on this site. We do not collect one.

Open the term

Practice slang

IRCC does not use these names. Official name first. The nickname is labelled practice slang.

Express Entry completeness, then later work-experience reconciliation.

Proof of work experience

Practice slang: Holy Trinity

Officers reconciling skilled work want a detailed employer letter, T4s, and pay stubs that line up. IRCC does not use this name.

Open the term
International Mobility Program. FTA professionals and technicians, not Express Entry human capital.

Professionals and technicians

Practice slang: Triple E

Practice FTA and port slang for education, experience, and the official language the agreement or job needs, plus the Employer Portal A number. IRCC does not use this name.

Open the term
Temporary residence. Extensions filed before the current status expires.

Maintained status from more than one application

Practice slang: shotgun and hedge

Shotgun means two or more independent valid applications filed before expiry, each able to create maintained status. Hedge is the reason, plus smaller hedges. IRCC does not use these names.

Open the term
Paid help that is less than full representation on an IRCC or CBSA file.

Written service agreement

Practice slang: limited-scope retainer

Paid document advice, profile or web-form review, a checklist, or a final proof check. The applicant stays the principal contact. There is no IRCC form with this name.

Open the term