Immigration Terms, Abbreviations and Acronyms Explained

Status and Permission Terms

These terms describe whether someone has permission to enter or stay in the UK, and what that permission may allow them to do.

Leave to Enter

Permission to come into the UK. This may be granted before travel as entry clearance, or at the border in limited situations.

Leave to Remain

Permission to stay in the UK after arrival. Many extensions and switches are applications for leave to remain.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Permanent immigration permission in the UK, often called settlement or ILR. It is not the same as British citizenship.

Entry Clearance

Permission issued before travel to the UK, usually following an overseas visa application.

Section 3C Leave

A legal provision that may extend a person's existing permission while an in-time, valid application or appeal is pending.

No Recourse to Public Funds

A condition that usually means the person cannot claim most public funds or benefits. It is often shortened to NRPF.

Overstayer

A person who remains in the UK after their immigration permission has expired, unless a legal provision such as section 3C leave protects them.

Immigration Bail

Permission to remain outside detention while immigration matters are ongoing, usually with conditions attached.

Applications and Decision Terms

These words often appear in Home Office forms, decision letters and advice about next steps after a refusal.

Administrative Review

A process asking the Home Office to check whether it made a casework error in certain types of decision. It is not available for every refusal.

Appeal

A challenge to an immigration decision before a tribunal. Appeal rights depend on the type of decision and the legal basis of the case.

Fresh Application

A new application made after a refusal or change in circumstances, usually with revised evidence or a different approach.

Validity Requirements

The basic requirements an application must meet before the Home Office considers the substance, such as using the correct form and paying the fee.

Suitability Requirements

Rules about conduct, immigration history, criminality, deception, debt and other factors that can affect whether an application should be refused.

Eligibility Requirements

The route-specific rules a person must meet, such as relationship, income, job, salary, English language or residence requirements.

Priority Service

An optional paid service that may provide a faster decision. Availability, timing and suitability depend on the route and application location.

Biometrics

Fingerprints and a digital photograph provided as part of many visa, settlement and citizenship applications.

Work, Sponsorship and Study Terms

Work and study routes use their own language, especially where an employer, education provider or sponsor is involved.

Certificate of Sponsorship

An electronic record issued by a licensed sponsor for a sponsored worker route. It contains details about the job, salary, occupation code and sponsor.

Defined CoS

A Certificate of Sponsorship normally used for Skilled Worker applications made from outside the UK.

Undefined CoS

A Certificate of Sponsorship normally used for certain applications made from inside the UK or for other sponsored worker situations.

Sponsor Licence

Home Office permission for an organisation to sponsor workers or students under eligible routes.

Right to Work Check

A check an employer carries out to confirm whether someone is allowed to work in the UK and under what conditions.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies

An electronic record issued by a licensed student sponsor for a Student visa application. It is commonly called a CAS.

Graduate Visa

A post-study work route for eligible graduates who completed a qualifying UK course with a licensed sponsor.

Occupation Code

A code used to classify a job role for sponsored work routes. It can affect salary thresholds and route eligibility.

Documents and Evidence Terms

Many immigration decisions turn on evidence. These terms help explain common document and identity phrases.

Biometric Residence Permit

A physical card that showed immigration status, identity details and conditions. Many people are now expected to use digital eVisa status instead.

eVisa

A digital record of a person's UK immigration status that can be accessed online through a UKVI account.

Share Code

A code generated online so an employer, landlord or other checker can view a person's immigration status or right to work or rent.

Certified Translation

A translation of a non-English or non-Welsh document that meets the required certification standards for the application.

Covering Letter

A letter that explains the application, evidence, timeline and any issues the decision-maker should understand.

Representation

A legal or factual explanation sent to the Home Office or tribunal in support of an application, review, appeal or other immigration matter.

Visa Application Centre

A centre where applicants may attend to give biometrics and submit or upload documents. It is often shortened to VAC.

Home Office Reference Number

A reference used by the Home Office to identify an application, decision, case or person. Different letters may show different reference formats.

Common Abbreviations and Acronyms

This quick-reference list explains short forms that regularly appear in UK immigration advice, forms and Home Office letters.

AR

Administrative Review: a request for the Home Office to review certain decisions for casework error.

BRP

Biometric Residence Permit: a physical immigration status card.

BRC

Biometric Residence Card: a card historically used by some family members under EU-related routes.

CAS

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies: the sponsorship record for a Student visa application.

CoS

Certificate of Sponsorship: the sponsorship record for many sponsored work visa applications.

DBS

Disclosure and Barring Service: criminal record checks that may be relevant for some jobs, but not a visa route by itself.

ECCTIS

The organisation that can assess certain overseas qualifications for UK visa and nationality purposes.

ETA

Electronic Travel Authorisation: digital permission for eligible non-visa nationals to travel to the UK.

EUSS

EU Settlement Scheme: the scheme for eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and family members connected to residence before the relevant deadline.

FLR

Further Leave to Remain: a term used for some applications to extend permission in the UK.

IAA

Immigration Advice Authority: the regulator for many UK immigration advisers.

IHS

Immigration Health Surcharge: a fee that gives many visa holders access to NHS services during their permission.

ILR

Indefinite Leave to Remain: settlement or permanent immigration permission in the UK.

LTR

Leave to Remain: permission to stay in the UK.

NTL

No Time Limit: an application used by some people to confirm existing indefinite leave in a digital or updated format.

NRPF

No Recourse to Public Funds: a condition restricting access to most public funds.

SELT

Secure English Language Test: an approved English test used for certain visa, settlement and citizenship applications.

SET

Settlement: often used in form names for indefinite leave to remain applications.

SMS

Sponsor Management System: the online system used by licensed sponsors to manage sponsorship duties.

UKVCAS

UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services: appointment and biometrics services for many in-country applications.

UKVI

UK Visas and Immigration: the part of the Home Office that handles many visa and immigration applications.

VAC

Visa Application Centre: a place where applicants may attend for biometrics and document services.

When to Get Advice

A glossary can help you understand the language, but it cannot tell you which route is right for your circumstances. Meanings can also change depending on the visa route, immigration history, timing and evidence.