A-Number: See Alien Number.
Adjustment of Status (AOS): Changing from non-immigrant to permanent resident while in the US. Filed on Form I-485.
Advance Parole (AP): Travel document for people with pending I-485. Allows reentry without abandoning the application.
Affidavit of Support (I-864): Sponsor's financial guarantee that an immigrant will not become a public charge. Required for most family-based green cards.
Alien Number: 8 or 9 digit number assigned by USCIS to track your immigration case. Found on I-797, EAD, or green card.
Asylum: Protection for people in the US who have been persecuted or fear persecution in their home country.

B

Beneficiary: The person who benefits from an immigration petition filed by someone else.
Biometrics: Fingerprints, photo, and signature collected by USCIS for background checks.

C

CBP: Customs and Border Protection. Controls entry to the US at airports and borders.
Chargeability: The country your visa application is counted against (usually birth country, not citizenship).
Concurrent Filing: Filing I-140 and I-485 at the same time when priority dates are current.
Conditional Residence: 2-year green card for marriage-based immigrants. File I-751 to remove conditions.
Consular Processing: Getting your immigrant visa at a US embassy abroad instead of adjusting status in the US.
Country Cap: The 7% per-country limit on employment-based green cards (~9,800/year/country).
CRS: Comprehensive Ranking System. Canada's points system for Express Entry.
CSPA: Child Status Protection Act. Protects children from aging out of dependent status.

D

DACA: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
DOS: Department of State. Publishes the monthly Visa Bulletin.
Dual Intent: Visas allowing intent to stay permanently (H-1B and L-1 are dual intent; F-1 and B1/B2 are not).

E

EAD: Employment Authorization Document. Work permit issued by USCIS.
EB-1/EB-2/EB-3/EB-5: Employment-based green card categories.
ESTA: Electronic System for Travel Authorization. For Visa Waiver Program countries.

F

F-1: Student visa for academic programs.
Final Action Date: Chart A of the Visa Bulletin. When your green card can be approved.
Filing Date: Chart B of the Visa Bulletin. When you can file I-485.

G

Green Card: Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551). Grants permanent residency.
Green Card Number: The 13-character code on the front of your green card (USCIS#).

H

H-1B: Specialty occupation work visa. 65K annual cap + 20K masters exemption.
H-4: Dependent visa for H-1B spouse and children.
H-4 EAD: Work permit for H-4 spouses when H-1B holder has approved I-140.

I

I-94: Arrival/Departure Record. Proves your authorized period of stay.
I-130: Petition for Alien Relative. Family-sponsored green card petition.
I-140: Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers. Employment-based green card petition.
I-485: Application to Register Permanent Residence (Adjustment of Status).
I-693: Medical exam form required for I-485.
I-765: Application for Employment Authorization (EAD).
I-797: Notice of Action. Receipt/approval notice from USCIS.
I-864: Affidavit of Support. Financial sponsor guarantee.
I-912: Request for Fee Waiver.
ICE: Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
INA: Immigration and Nationality Act. The foundational US immigration law.

L

Labor Certification (PERM): Process proving no US worker available for the position.
LCA: Labor Condition Application. Filed by employer before H-1B petition.
LMIA: Labour Market Impact Assessment. Canada's equivalent of PERM.
LPR: Lawful Permanent Resident. Green card holder.

N

N-400: Application for Naturalization (US citizenship).
NIW: National Interest Waiver. Self-petition EB-2 green card.
NVC: National Visa Center. Processes immigrant visa applications for consular processing.

O

OPT: Optional Practical Training. Work authorization for F-1 students.
O-1: Extraordinary ability visa. No cap, no lottery.

P

PERM: Program Electronic Review Management. Labor certification for EB-2/EB-3.
Premium Processing: Pay $2,965 for 15 business day USCIS decision on I-140/I-129.
Priority Date: Date USCIS received your immigrant petition. Determines place in the green card queue.
Public Charge: Likelihood of becoming primarily dependent on government assistance. Affects admissibility.

R

Receipt Number: 13-character tracking number for USCIS applications. Format: 3 letters + 10 digits.
RFE: Request for Evidence. USCIS asking for more documentation.
Retrogression: When visa bulletin dates move backward due to excess demand.

T

TPS: Temporary Protected Status. For nationals of countries with armed conflict or natural disaster.

U

USCIS: United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Processes immigration benefits.

V

Visa Bulletin: Monthly publication listing priority date cutoffs for green card processing.

Immigration Acronyms Quick Reference

30 of the most common acronyms in US immigration. The first column is the acronym, the second its full name, the third what it means in practice.

Acronym	Full Name	What It Means
AOS	Adjustment of Status	Green card filing in the US
AP	Advance Parole	Travel document for pending I-485
CBP	Customs and Border Protection	Border agency
CP	Consular Processing	Green card at US embassy abroad
CRS	Comprehensive Ranking System	Canada Express Entry points
CSPA	Child Status Protection Act	Protects derivative children from aging out
DOS	Department of State	Visa Bulletin publisher
EAD	Employment Authorization Document	USCIS work permit
EB	Employment-Based	Green card via job (EB-1/2/3/5)
FAD	Final Action Date	Chart A - when GC can be approved
I-9	Employment Eligibility Verification	Form every US employee completes
ICE	Immigration and Customs Enforcement	Interior enforcement
INA	Immigration and Nationality Act	Core US immigration statute
LCA	Labor Condition Application	Pre-H-1B DOL filing
LMIA	Labour Market Impact Assessment	Canadian PERM equivalent
LPR	Lawful Permanent Resident	Green card holder
NIW	National Interest Waiver	EB-2 self-petition
NOID	Notice of Intent to Deny	USCIS plans to deny
NVC	National Visa Center	Handles immigrant visa cases for CP
OPT	Optional Practical Training	F-1 student work authorization
PERM	Program Electronic Review Management	Labor certification for EB green card
PD	Priority Date	Place in green card queue
PWD	Prevailing Wage Determination	DOL's official wage for the role
RFE	Request for Evidence	USCIS wants more documents
SAW	Status of Authorized Worker	Internal status code
TPS	Temporary Protected Status	Country-specific protection
USCIS	US Citizenship and Immigration Services	Processes immigration benefits
VAWA	Violence Against Women Act	Self-petition for abuse victims
VWP	Visa Waiver Program	Visa-free entry for 40 countries
WAGE	Wage and Hour Division	Enforces H-1B wage rules

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Common Glossary Questions

What is an A-number (alien number)?

An 8 or 9 digit number assigned by USCIS to identify non-citizens in immigration proceedings. It appears on your I-797 Notice of Action, EAD card, green card, and immigration court documents. Format: A-XXX-XXX-XXX.

Where do I find my green card number?

Your green card number (USCIS number) is the 13-character code on the front of your permanent resident card. It typically starts with 3 letters followed by 10 digits.

What is a priority date?

Your priority date is when USCIS received your immigrant petition - the I-140 filing date for employment-based or I-130 for family-based. It determines your place in the green card queue.

What does 'adjustment of status' mean?

Adjustment of status is the process of changing from a non-immigrant visa (like H-1B) to permanent resident (green card holder) while remaining in the United States. Filed on Form I-485.

What is an EAD card?

An Employment Authorization Document is a work permit issued by USCIS. It allows non-citizens to work legally in the US. Common for I-485 pending, H-4 spouses, and asylum applicants.

What is advance parole?

Advance parole is a travel document for people with pending I-485. It allows you to leave and reenter the US without abandoning your green card application. Processing takes 3-8 months.

Disclaimer

This glossary is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is complex and changes frequently.

Definitions are simplified for plain-English understanding. For your specific case, consult a licensed US immigration attorney.

Form numbers, agency names, and procedural details may change at any time. Always verify current rules on uscis.gov or with an attorney before acting.

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