Glossary of Canadian and Quebec immigration terms
Immigration to Canada and Quebec uses many acronyms. This glossary explains in a few sentences the terms you will meet most often, based on IRCC and Government of Quebec pages, with a link to the page on this site that covers each in detail.
- ArrimaQuebec's expression-of-interest platform
- Government of Quebec platform where you submit an expression of interest for the Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ). The ministry ranks declarations there, invites the highest-ranked and receives the responses of those invited, who have 30 days to accept. Learn more →
- CAQQuebec Acceptance Certificate
- Document required to study in Quebec, in addition to the federal study permit. It is requested after obtaining an institution's admission letter. Learn more →
- CLB / NCLCCanadian Language Benchmarks
- Scale used by IRCC to express English (CLB) or French (NCLC) proficiency, from 1 to 12. Results from recognized language tests are converted to it. Learn more →
- CMMMontréal Metropolitan Community
- Montréal-area territory. In the PSTQ grid, a stay (residence, work, study) or a job outside the CMM earns additional points. Learn more →
- CNP / NOCNational Occupational Classification
- Canada's occupational classification, in force in its 2021 version. It identifies a candidate's main occupation and its FEER or TEER category.
- CRS / SCGComprehensive Ranking System
- IRCC's points system that ranks candidates in the Express Entry pool out of 1,200 points. The highest-ranked receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in rounds. Learn more →
- CSQQuebec Selection Certificate
- Certificate issued by Quebec to people selected to immigrate. It is required before applying for permanent residence with the federal government. Learn more →
- Déclaration d'intérêtStep before an invitation (PSTQ)
- In the PSTQ, the first step: you submit an expression of interest in Arrima. It is ranked by score, and only those invited can then apply for permanent selection. Learn more →
- Diagnostic de main-d'œuvreMedium-term diagnosis of an occupation
- Assessment published by the Quebec ministry for the 516 occupations of the National Occupational Classification: in balance, in slight shortage or in shortage. It influences the main occupation's points in the PSTQ grid. Learn more →
- Échelle québécoiseQuebec scale of French proficiency levels
- Scale from 1 to 12 used by Quebec to measure French in four skills: oral comprehension and production, written comprehension and production. The ministry publishes conversion tables with accepted tests (TCF, TEF, DELF, DALF). Learn more →
- EED / DLIDesignated learning institution
- Institution authorized to host international students holding a study permit. Check the designation on IRCC's website before applying or paying any fee. Learn more →
- EIMT / LMIALabour Market Impact Assessment
- Document a Canadian employer may need to hire a foreign worker. From November 3, 2026, an LMIA is no longer required for a job offer to count in Express Entry, and it no longer gives points or priority. Learn more →
- Entrée expressFederal application management system
- IRCC's system that manages three permanent residence programs: the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program. Candidates are ranked by CRS score. Learn more →
- FEER / TEERTraining, education, experience and responsibilities
- Categories from 0 to 5 of the National Occupational Classification (NOC 2021) based on the training required and the occupation's responsibilities. Quebec says FEER and the federal government says TEER. In the PSTQ, stream 1 targets categories 0 to 2 and stream 2 categories 3 to 5. Learn more →
- IRCCImmigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Federal department responsible for visas, study and work permits, permanent residence and citizenship. In Quebec, it processes applications after Quebec's selection.
- ITAInvitation to apply
- Invitation IRCC sends to an Express Entry candidate after a round, to apply for permanent residence. Each round has its own cut-off score. Learn more →
- MIFIMinistry of Immigration, Francization and Integration
- Quebec ministry that selects immigrants, ranks PSTQ expressions of interest and issues invitations.
- PCP / PNPProvincial Nominee Program
- Program under which a province or territory nominates candidates according to its own criteria. A nomination adds 600 points to an Express Entry profile's CRS score. Learn more →
- PSTQSkilled Worker Selection Program
- Quebec's main economic immigration program: you submit an expression of interest in Arrima, the ministry ranks declarations by a score out of 1,400 points, then invites the highest-ranked, stream by stream. Learn more →
- PTPD / PGWPPost-graduation work permit
- Open work permit that can allow you to work in Canada after studying at a designated institution, and to gain experience useful for permanent residence. Learn more →
- VoletPSTQ selection stream
- The PSTQ has four streams: 1 (highly qualified and specialized skills), 2 (intermediate and manual skills), 3 (regulated professions) and 4 (exceptional talents). The stream is assigned from the declared main occupation. Learn more →
Definitions verified on official pages, consulted on October 26, 2026.
This glossary is informational and replaces neither the official pages nor the advice of a regulated consultant. Rules can change: always check the official source.