These are the most commonly used abbreviations (short forms) frequently used to communicate in the immigration and citizenship matters. It is very important to understand these terms to avoid any confusion during any communication.

Acronyms / Abbreviations

  • CBI – Citizenship  By Investment
  • CIP – Citizenship by Investment Program
  • CBI/CIP – Citizenship by investment (program)
  • RBI – Residence by Investment (RBI)
  • ECP – Economic Citizenship Program (ECP)
  • CRBI – Citizenship and Residence by Investments
  • RCBI – Residence and Citizenship by Investment
  • IM – Investment Migration
  • E2  – Treaty Investor Visa (E-2) for United States under non-immigrant classification
  • CBI/RBI – Citizenship by investment (CBI) and Residence by Investment (RBI)
  • C/RBI – Citizenship and Residence by Investment
  • GV – Golden Visas
  • MCBI – Moldova Citizenship By Investment
  • DCBIP – Dominica Citizenship By Investment Program
  • TCBI – Turkey Citizenship by Investment (TCBI)
  • SKN – Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • SIV – Significant Investor Visa (for Australia)
  • PGV – Portugal Golden Visa
  • GGV – Greece Golden Visa
  • IIP – Immigrant Investor Program
  • MIIPA – Malta Individual Investor Program Agency
  • CIP – Cyprus Investment Program
  • EB5 – Employment Based Fifth Preference
  • CIU – Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
  • MSCAP – Montenegro Special Citizenship by Admission Program (MSCAP)
  • CBIU – Citizenship By Investment Unit
  • CBIC – Citizenship By Investment Committee
  • QIIP – Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)
  • HNWI  – High Net Worth Individual (above $1 million or more)
  • UHNW – Ultra High Net Worth (abov $30 million or more)
  • HNW – High Net Worth
  • INA – Immigration and Nationality Act
  • PEP – Politically Exposed Person
  • CFT – Combating Financing Terrorism
  • International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • REIT – Real Estate Investment Trusts
  • SCF – Sovereign Citizenship Fund
  • EDD – Enhanced Due Diligence (EDD)
  • IMPACS – Implementing Agency for Crime and Security
  • OECS – Organisation for Eastern Caribbean States
  • ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain (UK)
  • PBS – Points Based System
  • ESTA – Electronic System for Travel Authorization (USA)
  • DD – Due Diligence
  • Gilt – Fixed-interest bonds or loan securities issued by the UK government.
  • EU – European Union (EU)
  • CH – Confederation Helvetica (Swiss Confederation / Switzerland )
  • EEA – European Economic Area (EEA)
  • AML – Anti Money Laundering (AML)
  • PIT – Personal Income Tax (PIT)
  • CRS – Common Reporting Standard by OECD
  • TCN – Third Country National
  • RP – Residence permit
  • TRP – Temporary Residence Permit
  • PRP – Permanent Residence Permit
  • PR  – Permanent Residence
  • TR – Temporary Resident
  • POE – Port of Entry
  • IO – Immigration Officer
  • NIV – Non immigrant visa
  • GC – Green card
  • PRC – Permanent Residence Card
  • TEA — Targeted Employment Area
  • USCIS — United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
  • CIC – Citizenship and Immigration Canada
  • DHS – Department of Homeland Security
  • JRCC – Joint Regional Communications Center (CARICOM)
  • IMPACS – Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM)
  • DOJ – Department of Justice
  • NGO – Non-governmental organization
  • SV – Startup Visa (SV)
  • ETIAS – European Travel Information and Authorization System
  • VWP – Visa Waiver Program
  • ETA – Electronic Travel Authorization
  • INTERPOL – International Police
  • CTA – Common Travel Area
  • SIS – Schengen Information System (EU)
  • POB – Place of Birth
  • VIS – Visa Information System (EU)
  • EES – Entry Exit System (EES)
  • MEV – Multiply Entry Visa
  • Europol – European Police
  • MONEYVAL – Permanent monitoring body of the Council of Europe with the task of assessing compliance with the principal international standards to counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism
  • OFAC – Office of Foreign Assets and Control (for Sanctions)
  • MEP – Minister of European Parliament
  • CARICOM –  Caribbean Community (of 15 member states)
  • TAX3 – European Parliament’s Special Committee on financial crimes, tax evasion and tax avoidance (TAX3)
  • ABC Automated Border Controls
  • EP – European Parliament
  • EC – European Commission
  • EFTA – European Free Trade Association (Stockholm Convention)
  • API – Advance Passenger Information
  • BCS – Border Control Systems
  • PNR – Passenger Name Record