Immigration Glossary

A spouse, common-law partner, dependent child or dependent child of a dependent child (grandchild), who plans to immigrate to Canada with the principal applicant. Accompanying family members are included on the application.

An address is the place where a person is living right now. It can be identified by such things as a street number, street name, apartment number, city, town, province/state and country.

The Citizenship test will evaluate your knowledge of Canada. During the written exam and the interview, you will be asked questions about: · the right to vote and right to run for elected office · elections procedures · the rights and responsibilities of a citizen · Canadian social and cultural history and symbols · Canadian political history (including the political system and institutions) · Canadian physical and political geography

In order to become a Canadian citizen, you must have an adequate knowledge of English or French, Canada’s two official languages. Adequate knowledge of English or French means the ability to speak one of Canada’s official languages well enough to communicate with people. Citizenship applicants must attain Canadian Language Benchmark/Niveau de compétence linguistique canadien 4 to demonstrate adequate knowledge of English or French.

A process whereby a person becomes a member of another family. This process must create a genuine parent-child relationship that permanently severs the legal ties to the child’s biological parents or guardians.

A document becomes an affidavit when a person signs the document, in the presence of an authorized person, after taking an oath that what the document says is true and accurate. An affidavit is often used in order to verify that a translation of a document accurately reflects what is stated in the original language of the document.

When referring to the age of a permanent or temporary resident in CIC’s statistical information: · for permanent residents, their age at landing and · for temporary residents, their age at entry or on December 1.

A declaration that a marriage is not valid. Grounds for annulment in Canada include any case when one or both parties were not in a position to legally marry.

A person who submits an application under any of CIC’s business lines.

An individual who has received a decision from CIC, and who thinks that an error was made in that decision, can generally apply to the Federal Court of Canada and ask that the Court review the decision. Making an application to the Court for a review of the decision is called an Application for Leave and Judicial Review. A review means that the Court will read the decision and decide whether an error was made or not. If the Court decides that CIC made an error, it will usually mean that CIC has to make a new decision.

A package including all forms, supporting documents and information needed to fill out applications for visas, permanent residence and citizenship. It is sometimes referred to as an “application kit.”

When someone meets the minimum requirements to be a permanent resident, and has received a positive stage one assessment of their application (an “approval in principle” letter). In this situation, they will not become a permanent resident until an officer decides that they meet all remaining requirements and are not inadmissible. These requirements could include certain documentary requirements, such as having a passport issued by your country of citizenship.

Arranged employment is when you have a permanent job offer from a Canadian employer that has been approved by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. This job offer can improve your chances of having a federal skilled worker application approved.

Refers to guidelines used by citizenship judges for evaluating a person’s English or French proficiency to help determine if someone meets citizenship language requirements.

Protection that is offered to persons with a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group, as well as those at risk of torture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.

A person, paid or unpaid, named by an applicant and authorized to: · receive information about an application, and · act on the applicant’s behalf.