Plain words
Short, simple meanings for the words and form numbers you will meet. Tap a term's link to go to the matching guide.
| Term | What it means | Good to know | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| F-1 | Student immigration category for qualifying academic study. | Studying in this category comes with enrollment and work rules. | F-1 guide |
| Visa | A document used to travel to the U.S. and ask to enter. | A visa's expiration date is not automatically the end of your permitted stay. | F-1 guide, Visitor guide |
| Status | The immigration category and the conditions for your stay. | Work outside the permitted rules can affect student status. | F-1 guide |
| I-20 | School-issued student eligibility document. | A CPT or OPT recommendation appears on an updated I-20. | F-1 guide, OPT, CPT |
| DSO | Designated School Official. | The international office official who handles CPT and OPT recommendations. | F-1 guide |
| SEVP | Student and Exchange Visitor Program. | The Homeland Security program that oversees participating schools. | F-1 guide |
| SEVIS | Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. | A government record system used by schools and officials. | F-1 guide |
| SEVIS ID | Identifier for a SEVIS record. | Different from a USCIS receipt number. | F-1 guide |
| I-901 fee | SEVIS-related fee, where required. | Separate from the visa application fee. | F-1 guide |
| DS-160 | Online nonimmigrant (temporary) visa application. | Used for many temporary visas. | F-1 guide, Visitor guide |
| DS-260 | Online immigrant visa application. | Used in many embassy green card cases. | Marriage guide, DV guide |
| I-94 | Admission record. | Check its category and admission date after you enter. | F-1 guide, I-94 calculator |
| D/S | Duration of status. | An admission note whose effect depends on the rules. Do not assume it fits every current student admission. | F-1 guide |
| OPT | Optional Practical Training. | Degree-related training that needs a school recommendation and government approval. | OPT |
| CPT | Curricular Practical Training. | School-authorized training that is part of the curriculum. | CPT |
| STEM OPT | Extension of OPT based on a designated STEM degree and qualifying work. | Needs a training plan and extra reports. | STEM OPT |
| CIP code | Classification of Instructional Programs code. | Used to check whether a degree is on the STEM list. | STEM OPT |
| E-Verify | Government system that checks whether a worker may work. | STEM OPT employers must take part. | STEM OPT |
| EAD | Employment Authorization Document. | The work permission card. A Social Security card is different. | OPT, Marriage guide |
| I-765 | Application for Employment Authorization. | The application is not the card. | OPT, STEM OPT, Marriage guide |
| I-983 | STEM OPT training plan. | Describes supervision, learning goals and evaluations. | STEM OPT |
| I-130 | Petition for Alien Relative. | Recognizes a qualifying family relationship. | Marriage guide |
| I-130A | Extra information about a spouse beneficiary. | Generally goes with a spouse petition. | Marriage guide |
| I-485 | Application to adjust status to permanent resident. | An eligible applicant uses it inside the U.S. | Marriage guide |
| I-864 | Affidavit of Support. | Financial sponsorship with legal duties. | Marriage guide |
| I-693 | Immigration medical exam and vaccination record. | Done by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon. | Marriage guide |
| I-131 | Application for certain travel documents and benefits. | Advance parole is one use. | Marriage guide |
| I-751 | Petition to remove conditions on residence. | Used by many marriage-based conditional residents. | Marriage guide |
| Receipt number | Identifier for a USCIS case. | Used to check that case's status. | OPT, Marriage guide |
| I-797 | A family of USCIS notices. | The notice type decides whether it is a receipt, an approval or something else. | OPT, Marriage guide |
| RFE | Request for Evidence. | A request for specific extra information by a deadline. | OPT, Marriage guide |
| NOID | Notice of Intent to Deny. | Explains concerns and gives a chance to respond. Read it right away. | Marriage guide |
| Biometrics | Identity information such as fingerprints and a photo. | Collected at an appointment when needed. | Marriage guide |
| Petitioner | The person or organization that files a petition. | The sponsoring spouse in an I-130 case. | Marriage guide |
| Beneficiary | The person a petition is filed for. | The spouse who wants residence. | Marriage guide |
| Adjustment of status | Applying for permanent residence from inside the U.S. | Needs more than being physically in the U.S. | Marriage guide |
| Consular processing | Applying for an immigrant visa through an embassy. | Has application and interview stages abroad. | Marriage guide, DV guide |
| NVC | National Visa Center. | Handles papers and fees in many immigrant visa cases. | Marriage guide |
| KCC | Kentucky Consular Center. | Handles administrative stages of DV processing. | DV guide |
| CEAC | Consular Electronic Application Center. | The government system for consular applications and information. | Marriage guide, Refusal guide |
| Priority date | The date that sets your place in some immigrant lines. | It is not an interview date. | Visa Bulletin, Priority date checker |
| Visa Bulletin | Monthly information on immigrant visa availability. | Different charts serve different purposes. | Visa Bulletin |
| Current | In the Visa Bulletin, a date or category is available. | Availability still does not mean you are eligible or approved. | Visa Bulletin |
| 214(b) | A legal ground for refusing a temporary visa. | Can involve the category or the presumption of immigrant intent. | Refusal guide |
| 221(g) | A refusal while information or processing is still needed. | Follow the instructions on the refusal letter. | Refusal guide |
| AP | An abbreviation with more than one meaning. | Administrative processing in visa talk; advance parole in some travel talk. | Refusal guide, Marriage guide |
| Administrative processing | More review before a visa decision can be made. | There is no fixed completion time. | Refusal guide |
| Advance parole | Advance travel permission for some applicants. | Different from an EAD and no guarantee of entry. | Marriage guide |
| LPR | Lawful permanent resident. | A person who has obtained permanent residence. | Marriage guide |
| Conditional resident | A permanent resident whose residence has conditions. | A qualifying marriage-based resident may need Form I-751. | Marriage guide |
| CR1 / IR1 | Spouse immigrant visa classes: conditional residence and immediate-relative residence. | How long the marriage has lasted matters. | Marriage guide |
| F2A | Family category for some spouses and children of green card holders. | Visa availability affects processing. | Marriage guide, Visa Bulletin |
| DV | Diversity Visa. | Selection is followed by an eligibility and visa process. | DV guide |
| Premium processing | Optional faster government processing for eligible requests. | The extra fee does not guarantee approval. | OPT |
| Grace period | A limited period set by specific rules for leaving or other steps. | Check the length and eligibility. It is not general work permission. | F-1 guide |
Unofficial. See the State Department glossary and the official form instructions for exact definitions.