Canadian immigration has more acronyms than the military. CRS, ITA, NOC, PGWP, LMIA, AOR, COPR, ECA, TEER, PNP, CEC, FSW, FSTP — and that's before you get to the provincial programs.
Here's every term you'll encounter, explained in plain English.
Express Entry terms
Express Entry — Canada's online system for managing PR applications for skilled workers. Not a program itself — it's the platform that manages three programs (CEC, FSW, FSTP). Think of it as the application portal, not the visa.
CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) — The 1,200-point scoring system that ranks Express Entry candidates against each other. Your CRS score determines whether you get invited to apply for PR. Points come from age, education, language, work experience, and bonus factors. Calculate yours.
ITA (Invitation to Apply) — The golden ticket. When IRCC runs a draw and your CRS is at or above the cutoff, you receive an ITA. This means you've been selected to submit a full PR application. You have 60 days to submit.
Draw — A selection event where IRCC invites a certain number of Express Entry candidates to apply for PR. Draws happen roughly every 2 weeks. Each draw has a CRS cutoff — everyone at or above that score gets invited.
CEC (Canadian Experience Class) — One of three Express Entry programs. For people who have at least 12 months of skilled work experience in Canada. The most common pathway for PGWP holders and temporary workers already in Canada.
FSW / FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program) — Express Entry program for skilled workers with foreign work experience. Requires 1 year of work experience, an ECA, language test, and 67+ points on the FSW grid. Main pathway for people applying from outside Canada.
FSTP (Federal Skilled Trades Program) — Express Entry program for tradespeople. Lower language requirements than CEC or FSW. Requires 2 years of trade experience plus either a job offer or Red Seal certification.
Category-based draw — A targeted Express Entry draw for a specific group (healthcare workers, trades, French speakers, STEM, etc.). These draws have lower CRS cutoffs than general CEC draws. Introduced in 2023 and expanded in 2024–2026.
Pool — Where your Express Entry profile sits while waiting for an invitation. All active profiles are "in the pool." Draws pull from the pool based on CRS score and/or category eligibility.
Work experience and job terms
NOC (National Occupational Classification) — Canada's system for classifying every job. Every occupation has a 5-digit NOC code. Your NOC code determines which immigration programs you qualify for.
TEER (Training, Education, Experience, Requirements) — The NOC category system. TEER 0 = management, TEER 1 = university degree, TEER 2 = college diploma or apprenticeship, TEER 3 = less than 2 years training, TEER 4/5 = short-term training. Express Entry CEC requires TEER 0–3.
LMIA (Labour Market Impact Assessment) — A document proving that no Canadian worker is available for the job. Employers must get an LMIA before hiring most foreign workers. Costs $1,000, requires advertising the position, and takes 2–6 months. Many work permit categories are LMIA-exempt.
LMIA-exempt — A work permit that doesn't require an LMIA. Examples: PGWP, spousal open work permits, intra-company transfers, CUSMA permits. See our LMIA-exempt guide.
Arranged employment — A valid job offer from a Canadian employer, supported by an LMIA or LMIA-exempt category. Under current Express Entry rules, job offers add 0 CRS points, though they can still matter for work permits, some program requirements, and some PNP streams.
Red Seal — A national trades certification that lets you work in your trade in any Canadian province. Important for FSTP eligibility.
Work permit terms
PGWP (Post-Graduation Work Permit) — An open work permit for international students who graduate from eligible Canadian programs. Valid 1–3 years. Cannot be renewed. The primary bridge between studying and PR.
Open work permit — A permit that lets you work for any employer in Canada. Examples: PGWP, spousal work permits, BOWP.
Employer-specific work permit — A permit tied to one employer. You can only work for the employer listed on the permit. Changing jobs requires a new permit.
BOWP (Bridging Open Work Permit) — A work permit for people whose current permit is expiring while their PR application is being processed. Keeps you working legally during the gap.
Maintained status — Your legal right to continue working in Canada after your work permit expires, provided you've applied for a new permit or PR before the expiry date. You can work under the same conditions as your expired permit while the new application is processed.
CUSMA (Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement) — Trade agreement (replaced NAFTA) that gives US and Mexican professionals LMIA-exempt work permits in Canada.
ICT (Intra-Company Transfer) — LMIA-exempt work permit for employees being transferred within a multinational company to its Canadian operation.
Language test terms
CLB (Canadian Language Benchmarks) — Canada's standard for measuring English language ability. Immigration programs specify CLB levels as requirements (e.g., CLB 7 for CEC in TEER 0/1 jobs).
NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) — The French equivalent of CLB. French immigration programs specify NCLC levels.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) — The most popular English test for Canadian immigration. Must be the General Training version (not Academic). Scores are in bands from 1–9.
CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program) — Alternative English test accepted for Canadian immigration. Computer-based. Only available in Canada and some international locations.
TEF (Test d'évaluation de français) — French language test accepted for immigration. The "TEF Canada" version is specifically designed for immigration purposes.
TCF (Test de connaissance du français) — Alternative French language test. The "TCF Canada" version is for immigration.