U.S. immigration glossary: terms and acronyms A to Z

How to use this glossary

Immigration paperwork is full of acronyms and terms that mean something specific in law. This glossary defines the ones you are most likely to see on forms, notices and government websites, in plain English and as of October 2026. Definitions are simplified for general understanding; the exact legal meaning comes from the Immigration and Nationality Act, federal regulations and agency policy. Each entry has its own link, so you can share a single definition.

Jump to: A B C D E F G I L N O P R S T U V W

A

A-number (Alien Registration Number)

A unique seven-, eight- or nine-digit number DHS assigns to many noncitizens, printed on green cards, work permits and many notices as "A" followed by digits. Keep it on every filing once you have one.

ACWIA fee

A training fee paid by employers on many H-1B petitions, created by the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act. It is $1,500, or $750 for employers with 25 or fewer full-time workers, as of October 2026.

Adjustment of status (AOS)

Applying for a green card from inside the United States on Form I-485, without returning abroad for an immigrant visa. Compare AOS and consular processing.

Admission

Lawful entry into the U.S. after inspection by a CBP officer. Being admitted is different from simply being physically present.

Advance parole (AP)

Permission, requested on Form I-131, to return to the U.S. after travel abroad while certain applications, such as a pending I-485, are pending. Leaving without it can cause the application to be treated as abandoned.

Affidavit of support

Form I-864, a legally enforceable promise by a sponsor to financially support an intending immigrant, required in most family-based cases.

Application Support Center (ASC)

A USCIS office where applicants give fingerprints, photos and signatures at a biometrics appointment.

Asylum

Protection for a person in the U.S. who fears persecution in their home country based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. See asylum.

B

Beneficiary

The person who would receive the immigration benefit in a petition filed by someone else.

BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals)

The appeals body within EOIR that reviews decisions of immigration judges and certain DHS decisions.

Biometrics

Fingerprints, a photograph and a signature collected for identity and background checks.

C

CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

The DHS agency that inspects travelers at ports of entry and patrols the border. CBP decides whether to admit you, even if you hold a visa.

Conditional permanent resident

A green card holder whose status lasts two years, such as a spouse in a marriage of less than two years at approval, or an EB-5 investor. Conditions are removed with Form I-751 or I-829.

Consular processing

Getting an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad, then entering the U.S. as a permanent resident.

CSPA (Child Status Protection Act)

A law that can let some children keep "child" classification for immigration purposes after turning 21, using a specific age calculation.

D

DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals)

A policy that defers removal and allows work permits for certain people brought to the U.S. as children. Eligibility and new applications have been affected by litigation; check current USCIS guidance.

Deferred action

A discretionary decision by DHS to postpone removal of a person for a period. It is not a lawful status.

DHS (Department of Homeland Security)

The federal department that includes USCIS, ICE and CBP.

Diversity Visa (DV) program

The State Department's annual lottery offering up to 55,000 immigrant visas to natives of countries with low U.S. immigration. Official entries are made only at dvprogram.state.gov. See green card lottery.

DOS (Department of State)

The federal department whose embassies and consulates issue visas abroad. It publishes the monthly Visa Bulletin.

DS-160

The online nonimmigrant visa application completed before a visa interview.

DS-260

The online immigrant visa application used in consular processing.

E

EAD (Employment Authorization Document)

A work permit card, requested on Form I-765.

EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review)

The Justice Department agency that runs the immigration courts and the BIA.

ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization)

CBP's online travel authorization for citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries visiting for up to 90 days. See Visa Waiver and ESTA.

Expedite request

A request to USCIS to process a case faster based on specific criteria, such as severe financial loss or urgent humanitarian reasons. Approval is discretionary.

F

Form I-797 (Notice of Action)

The family of USCIS notices used for receipts, appointments, approvals and other actions. See USCIS notices.

G

Green card

The common name for the Permanent Resident Card, Form I-551, proof of lawful permanent residence.

I

I-20

The certificate of eligibility a SEVP-certified school issues to F-1 and M-1 students.

I-94

The DHS record of arrival and departure showing your class of admission and authorized stay. Most travelers can download it from CBP's website.

ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)

The DHS agency responsible for interior enforcement, detention and removals.

Immediate relative

The spouse, unmarried child under 21, or parent (if the citizen is 21 or older) of a U.S. citizen. Immediate relatives are not subject to annual numerical limits.

Immigrant visa

A visa for someone intending to live permanently in the U.S.; it becomes a green card after admission.

Inadmissibility

Legal grounds, such as certain crimes, health issues, prior immigration violations or public charge, that can bar someone from getting a visa, entering or adjusting status.

L

LCA (Labor Condition Application)

A Department of Labor filing an employer submits before an H-1B, H-1B1 or E-3 petition, attesting to wages and working conditions.

LPR (Lawful permanent resident)

A person who holds a green card.

N

Naturalization

The process of becoming a U.S. citizen after meeting residence and other requirements, usually on Form N-400. See citizenship.

NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny)

A USCIS notice stating the agency plans to deny a case unless the applicant rebuts the reasons, usually within at most 30 days.

NOIR (Notice of Intent to Revoke)

A USCIS notice stating it intends to revoke a previously approved petition.

Nonimmigrant

A person in the U.S. temporarily for a specific purpose, such as a student, worker or visitor.

NTA (Notice to Appear)

Form I-862, the document that starts removal proceedings in immigration court.

NVC (National Visa Center)

The State Department center that collects fees and documents for immigrant visa cases before the consular interview.

O

OPT (Optional Practical Training)

Temporary employment for F-1 students related to their field of study. See F-1 OPT.

P

Parole

Permission to enter or remain in the U.S. temporarily for urgent humanitarian reasons or significant public benefit. Parole is not an admission.

PD (Priority date)

The date that marks your place in line for a capped green card category, usually the date a petition or labor certification was filed.

PERM (labor certification)

The Department of Labor process, filed on Form ETA-9089, by which many employers show no qualified U.S. worker is available before sponsoring a green card. See PERM.

Petitioner

The person or employer who files a petition on someone else's behalf, such as a U.S. citizen filing Form I-130.

Port of entry

An airport, seaport or land border crossing where CBP inspects travelers.

Premium processing

An optional extra fee, paid with Form I-907, that guarantees USCIS action within a set time for certain petitions.

Public charge

A ground of inadmissibility for people considered likely to depend on government support. A DHS rule changing how it is assessed took effect September 18, 2026.

R

Removal

The legal term for deportation from the United States.

RFE (Request for Evidence)

A USCIS notice asking for more documents before deciding a case. The response period can be no longer than 12 weeks.

S

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)

The DHS database that tracks F, M and J students and exchange visitors. Most applicants pay a SEVIS fee.

Status

Your lawful immigration classification in the U.S., such as H-1B, F-1 or LPR. A visa is for travel; status governs your stay.

T

TPS (Temporary Protected Status)

Temporary protection and work eligibility for nationals of countries designated by DHS due to conflict, disaster or other extraordinary conditions. See TPS.

Two-year home residency requirement

A rule that requires some J-1 exchange visitors to spend two years in their home country before getting certain visas or a green card, unless waived.

U

Unlawful presence

Time spent in the U.S. after an authorized stay expires or without admission. Accruing more than 180 days or one year can trigger three- or ten-year bars to returning.

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)

The DHS agency that decides petitions and applications for immigration benefits inside the U.S., including green cards and citizenship.

V

VB (Visa Bulletin)

The State Department's monthly chart showing which priority dates can move forward in capped green card categories. See Visa Bulletin.

Visa

A travel document placed in a passport by a U.S. embassy or consulate that allows you to request admission at a U.S. port of entry. It does not guarantee entry.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

A program allowing citizens of participating countries to visit for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa, after getting an approved ESTA.

W

Waiver

Permission to overlook a ground of inadmissibility, such as Form I-601 or the provisional unlawful presence waiver, Form I-601A.

Work authorization

Legal permission to work in the U.S., either tied to your status (such as H-1B for one employer) or shown by an EAD.

Where to go next

To see how these terms fit together, start with immigration options. If a notice uses a term you do not recognize, our USCIS notices guide and notice decoder may help. USCIS and the State Department also publish their own glossaries, linked in the sources below. For practical help with paperwork, browse our forms and guidance section.