Immigration glossary
Plain explanations of 48 common immigration terms: the US, Canada, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and citizenship by investment.
United States
- EB-5 investor visa
- The fifth US employment-based category: invest in a qualifying US project that creates at least 10 full-time US jobs, and your family can apply for green cards. Explore the programme
- Targeted Employment Area (TEA)
- A rural, high-unemployment or infrastructure area where the EB-5 investment is USD 800,000, instead of USD 1,050,000 elsewhere. Explore the programme
- Regional center
- An organisation approved by USCIS to sponsor EB-5 projects; investors invest as limited partners and indirect jobs can count. Explore the programme
- I-526E
- The EB-5 petition for investors in regional center projects, proving the lawful source of the investment. Explore the programme
- I-829
- Filed within the 90 days before the conditional green card expires, showing the investment was sustained and jobs created, to receive a 10-year permanent green card. Explore the programme
- Conditional green card
- The two-year green card EB-5 investors first receive; holders can live, work and study in the US, and the time counts towards citizenship. Explore the programme
- Visa Bulletin and priority date
- The US Department of State’s monthly list of cut-off dates; when your priority date (usually your filing date) is earlier, you can move to the green card stage. Backlogs follow place of birth. Explore the programme
- Child Status Protection Act (CSPA)
- A law that freezes a child’s age during processing, reducing the risk of dependent children ageing out at 21. Explore the programme
- EB-1A extraordinary ability
- People with national or international acclaim in their field can self-petition for a green card, usually meeting three of ten criteria. Explore the programme
- National Interest Waiver (NIW)
- An EB-2 waiver letting professionals whose work has national importance apply for a green card without an employer or labour certification. Explore the programme
- PERM labour certification
- The first step in employer sponsorship: the employer shows the US Department of Labor that no suitable US worker is available. Explore the programme
- Re-entry permit
- A document green card holders apply for before a long absence, showing they don’t intend to give up permanent residence. Explore the programme
Canada
- Start-up Visa (SUV)
- Canada’s federal start-up programme: with a designated organisation’s support, the family could apply for permanent residence. Paused since 30 June 2026. Explore the programme
- Designated organisation
- A venture capital fund, angel investor group or business incubator approved by the Government of Canada to support Start-up Visa applicants. Explore the programme
- Commitment certificate and letter of support
- The documents from a designated organisation confirming its support for the applicant’s business — the core of a Start-up Visa application. Explore the programme
- Essential person
- A founder named essential to the business by the designated organisation; if their application is refused or withdrawn, others may be affected. Explore the programme
- Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
- Programmes through which provinces nominate immigrants; entrepreneur streams usually require running a business first, then nomination for permanent residence. Explore the programme
- Foreign Graduate Entrepreneur Stream (FGES)
- Alberta’s entrepreneur stream for graduates of universities outside Canada; invest CAD 100,000 (CAD 50,000 outside Calgary and Edmonton). Explore the programme
- Business performance agreement
- The agreement in provincial entrepreneur streams setting out investment, operating and hiring commitments; nomination follows once they are met. Explore the programme
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
- The language standard used in Canadian immigration, converted from approved test results. Explore the programme
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
- An approved organisation’s confirmation of the Canadian equivalent of education completed outside Canada. Explore the programme
- Permanent resident residency obligation
- Canadian permanent residents must be physically present for at least 730 days (two years) in every five years. Explore the programme
Hong Kong
- Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS)
- Lets people earning HKD 2.5 million or more, or graduates of eligible universities, come to Hong Kong without a prior job offer. Explore the programme
- Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
- Admits talent to Hong Kong under the General or Achievement-based Points Test, with no prior job offer needed. Explore the programme
- General Employment Policy (GEP)
- The main work-visa route for professionals hired by a Hong Kong employer; mainland residents use ASMTP instead. Explore the programme
- New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
- Come to Hong Kong by investing HKD 30 million: HKD 27 million in permissible assets and HKD 3 million in the CIES Investment Portfolio. Explore the programme
- Hong Kong permanent resident
- Available after ordinarily residing in Hong Kong for a continuous period of seven years or more in a recognised status, making Hong Kong your permanent home. Explore the programme
- Dependant visa
- A visa allowing the main applicant’s spouse and unmarried children under 18 to live in Hong Kong. Explore the programme
Taiwan and Asia
- Settlement in Taiwan
- After gaining residence, Hong Kong and Macau residents can apply to settle and receive a Taiwan ID after one year (no more than 30 days abroad) or two years (270+ days a year). Explore the programme
- Japan Highly Skilled Professional points
- Points for education, experience, income and age: 70 qualifies, and with 80 or more you can apply for permanent residence after one year. Explore the programme
- Business Manager visa
- Japan’s visa for running a business there; since October 2025 it requires JPY 30 million in capital. Explore the programme
- Global Investor Programme (GIP)
- Singapore’s programme for entrepreneurs and family offices, granting permanent residence on approval. Explore the programme
- Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H)
- Five to 20 years’ residence in Malaysia through a fixed deposit and home purchase, which can include parents. Explore the programme
Middle East
- UAE Golden Visa
- A 10-year renewable residence, through property worth AED 2 million, a business or professional talent. Explore the programme
Europe and the Americas
- Golden visa
- A general name for residence through investment, such as Portugal’s (EUR 500,000 fund) and Greece’s (property from EUR 250,000). Explore the programme
- Schengen Area
- A group of European countries without internal border checks; residence in one lets you travel visa-free across the area. Explore the programme
- EU permanent residence
- European routes to permanent residence directly, such as Cyprus (EUR 300,000 new home) and Malta (MPRP). Explore the programme
- Panama Qualified Investor
- Panamanian permanent residency directly through investments such as a new-build home from USD 300,000; Panama taxes on a territorial basis. Explore the programme
Australia and New Zealand
- National Innovation visa (NIV)
- Australia’s invitation-only permanent visa, requiring a Form 1000 nomination and an expression of interest. Explore the programme
- Form 1000 nomination
- A nomination for a National Innovation visa applicant from an Australian individual or organisation with a national reputation. Explore the programme
- Subclass 482 and 186 visas
- The 482 is an employer-sponsored work visa; after two years with the sponsor you can apply for permanent residence through the 186 scheme. Explore the programme
- Active Investor Plus (AIP)
- New Zealand’s investor residence programme: NZD 5 million over three years (Growth) or NZD 10 million over five (Balanced), with no English requirement. Explore the programme
Citizenship by investment and general
- Citizenship by investment (CBI)
- Citizenship and a passport directly through a donation or investment, such as in Turkey and the Caribbean. Explore the programme
- Due diligence
- Government checks on an applicant’s background and source of funds in citizenship and investment immigration programmes. Explore the programme
- Source of funds
- Evidence that investment money was lawfully obtained and how it moved — the most scrutinised part of investment immigration. Explore the programme
- Tax residency
- The status that determines which country taxes your income; it can change with a new immigration status, so plan before you move.
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