Reproduced from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site at http://cicnet.ci.gc.ca/english/about/terms-e.html

The following is a list of terms used by the department of immigration.

Reproduced from the Citizenship and Immigration Canada web site at http://cicnet.ci.gc.ca/english/about/terms-e.html

Canadian citizen

Canadian citizen is a person who was born in Canada or who has applied through Citizenship and Immigration Canada and has received a citizenship certificate.

Convention refugee

A convention refugee is defined in very specific terms by international laws.

Any person who,

a) by reason of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion,

i) is outside the country of his nationality and is unable or, by reason of that fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country or

ii) not having a country of nationality, is outside the country of his former habitual residence and is unable or, by reason of that fear, is unwilling to return to that country; and

b) has not ceased to be a Convention refugee by such reasons as voluntary repatriation.

In other words, this definition refers to people who are afraid for their safety in their home country because of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion. They are outside their home country and can't return home for fear of their safety.

Employment authorization

A visa officer issues an employment authorization, allowing a person who isn't a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to work temporarily in Canada.

Family class

The family class refers to immigrants who are close relatives of a sponsor in Canada.

http://cicnet.ci.gc.ca/english/pub/immlaw_e.html#detail-4

Canadian citizens and permanent residents aged 19 and over, living in Canada, have the right to sponsor the applications of certain close relatives who wish to immigrate to Canada.

These sponsored relatives may include certain dependants on their application. All persons being sponsored, together with their dependants, must meet the requirements of the Immigration Act and Regulations.

Relatives eligible for sponsorship in the family class include the sponsor's:

• wife/husband
• fiancé(e)
• dependent son or dependent daughter (see below)
• parents, grandparents
• brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, who are orphans, unmarried, and under 19
• children under 19 the sponsor plans to adopt, if the sponsor does not have any of the above or any family in Canada.

Dependent son or dependent daughter

There are three ways sons or daughters can be "dependent" on their parents.

• Under age 19 and unmarried — must be unmarried when they apply for a visa and still unmarried when the visa is issued.

• Full time students — must be studying at a college, university, or other educational institution, both when they apply for their visa and when the visa is issued. They must have been supported financially by their parents from age 19 or from the date of their marriage.

• Children with a disability — must be supported mainly by their parents; and be unable to support themselves because of the disability.

Unlike the class of independent and other immigrants, family class applicants are not assessed under the point system. They must, however, meet the basic standards of good health and character. As well, before an immigrant visa can be issued to applicants in the family class, the sponsoring relative in Canada is required to sign an "undertaking of support". In this statement, the sponsor promises to provide for the housing, care, and maintenance of the applicant and accompanying dependants for up to ten years.

Immigrant

An immigrant is a person who comes to settle in Canada as a permanent resident.

Minister's permit

In special circumstances, the Minister issues a written minister's permit, giving permission to a person to come into or remain in Canada. If that person, seeking entry, is a member of class not allowede in Canada or, if already in Canada, has been the subject of a report, he or she requires a Minister's Permit.

Permanent resident

A permanent resident is someone who has been allowed to enter Canada as an immigrant, but who has not become a Canadian citizen.

Refugee claimant

A refugee claimant is a person who has arrived in Canada and who requests refugee status. If a refugee claimant is judged to be a Convention refugee (see definition), he or she may then apply for permanent residence.

Sponsor

A sponsor is a person who supports an immigration application made by a member of the family class.

Student authorization

A visa or immigration officer issues a student authorization document allowing a visitor to take academic, professional, or vocational training at a Canadian university, college, or other institution.

Visitor

A visitor is a person who is lawfully in Canada, or seeks to come to Canada, not intending to stay. This does not apply to a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or Minister's permit holder.