It is important to familiarize yourself with the following immigration terms and abbreviations. These are common immigration terms used at USCIS offices, United States Embassies, and United States Consulates. You will also find these terms in immigration forms and other legal documents.

Our Glossary of Immigration Terms is organized in alphabetical order and divided into sections due to its extensive size. Use the menu below to locate the term you are looking for.

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EAD
An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is a work authorization card that is issued by the USCIS. The EAD is the size and shape of driver’s license.

Embassy
Official United States government office located in foreign country. Embassies are usually  located in the capital of the country. Embassies deal with political, economic, and visa issues. The local ambassador is in charge of the Embassy.

Employer Sanctions
U.S. employers who hire illegal immigrants are subject to civil fines or criminal penalties if a pattern of violations is found.

Employer Verification
The procedure established by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 (IRCA) requiring U.S. employers to verify the identity and eligibility of individuals to legally work. Form I-9 is used for all individuals (U.S. citizens and aliens) hired or referred for a fee on or after November 7, 1986. INA Section 274A, 8 USC Section 1324a.

Employment Authorization Document
The official name for a work permit and authorization by the USCIS to legally take upon work in the United States.

Employment Authorization Letter
An employment letter is needed for employees who wish to be sponsored for nonimmigrant work status or permanent resident status. The letter is completed by the sponsoring employer.

Entry Visa
The visa that the US State Department adds to a page in an individual’s passport. The granting of an entry visa means that the individual has permission to enter the U.S. for a particular purpose. Note that an expired visa does not affect an individual's legal stay in the U.S. As long as the I-94 card is valid, the visa can be expired. However, if the individual leaves the U.S., a valid visa is necessary to enter again. One cannot enter the U.S. with an expired visa.

EOIR
Abbreviation for Executive Office of Immigration Review.

Exchange Visitor
An exchange visitor is a foreigner who enters the United States on a temporary basis as a partaker in an official program. Some of the activities could be teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, or receiving training.

Exclusion
Exclusion is the official term for denying an alien entry into the United States either through an expedited removal procedure or through removal proceedings in the presence of an immigration judge.

Extension of Stay
The term used to describe the application process of extending the stay period listed on Form I-94.

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► Click on the letters above for more U.S. Immigration Terms.