Reference
Immigration glossary
Short definitions for terms you will see across PRLedger, IRCC pages, and Express Entry forums. These are summaries — always confirm requirements on official program pages.
21 terms · updated with current PRLedger streams
- Express Entry
- Canada's online system for managing applications for three federal skilled immigration programs. Eligible candidates enter a pool and are ranked by CRS score.
- Official source →
- CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System)
- The points system that ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool. Draws invite the highest scores — job-offer points were removed in 2025.
- Official source →
- ITA (Invitation to Apply)
- A formal invitation from IRCC to submit a permanent residence application. After an ITA you typically have 60 days to upload a complete application.
- Official source →
- CEC (Canadian Experience Class)
- An Express Entry program for people with skilled Canadian work experience — generally 1,560 hours in TEER 0–3 roles within the last three years.
- Official source →
- FSW (Federal Skilled Worker)
- An Express Entry program for skilled workers worldwide. You must pass a separate 67-point selection grid before entering the CRS-ranked pool.
- Official source →
- PNP (Provincial Nominee Program)
- Provinces and territories nominate candidates who intend to settle in that region. A nomination usually adds 600 CRS points.
- Official source →
- OINP (Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program)
- Ontario's provincial nomination system. Streams like Workforce Priority use an Expression of Interest score and Ontario-issued Notifications of Interest.
- Official source →
- NOI (Notification of Interest)
- A message from Ontario inviting you to apply for a provincial nomination. It is not the same as a federal ITA.
- Official source →
- NOC (National Occupational Classification)
- Canada's system for describing jobs. Immigration programs reference NOC codes and TEER levels to decide if work is skilled.
- Official source →
- TEER
- Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities — the skill level attached to each NOC 2021 code. TEER 0–3 is generally considered skilled for Express Entry.
- Official source →
- CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark)
- The standard IRCC uses to compare English test results (IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General, PTE Core). Minimum CLB levels differ by program and occupation TEER. French uses NCLC on the same 4–10 scale. See resources for CLB tables and booking links.
- Official source →
- NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens)
- The French-language counterpart to CLB. TEF Canada and TCF Canada convert to NCLC. NCLC 7 in all four abilities can add 25 or 50 extra CRS points depending on your English level.
- Official source →
- IELTS General Training
- An English test accepted for Express Entry when taken as General Training (not Academic). IRCC converts band scores to CLB per ability. Details: IELTS resource page.
- Official source →
- CELPIP-General
- Canadian English test aligned to CLB levels; only the General version counts for economic immigration (not CELPIP-LS). Details: CELPIP resource page.
- Official source →
- PTE Core
- Pearson Test of English Core — an IRCC-accepted English test for Express Entry (distinct from PTE Academic). Scores map to CLB. Details: PTE Core resource page.
- Official source →
- Designated ECA organization
- An organization IRCC accepts to assess foreign education (e.g. WES, IQAS, ICES). You need one ECA per credential you claim. Example: WES / ECA resource page.
- Official source →
- ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)
- A report comparing foreign education to Canadian standards. Usually required if your highest credential was earned outside Canada.
- Official source →
- Proof of funds
- Bank statements or official letters showing you meet minimum settlement funds for FSW and some provincial streams. CEC applicants working in Canada are often exempt.
- Official source →
- Job seeker validation code
- A code generated when you submit an Express Entry profile. Provincial programs like OINP use it to link your federal profile to a nomination application.
- Official source →
- Draw (Express Entry round)
- When IRCC invites a set number of top-ranked candidates from the pool to apply. Cut-off CRS scores change draw to draw.
- Official source →
- AOR (Acknowledgement of Receipt)
- Confirmation that IRCC received your complete permanent residence application after an ITA. Processing times are measured from this point.
- Official source →
Official sources
Figures and rules in this guide are checked against IRCC program pages. If anything conflicts, trust the government page.
Canadian PRLedger is a free tracking and calculator tool — not a law firm, not an RCIC practice, and not affiliated with IRCC. These guides summarize public program rules for planning purposes only. For case-specific advice, speak with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer.