0.3 Glossary

This page provides a list of the most commonly used terms/abbreviations for your reference so you don’t get confused seeing it in forums/this website.

Core Immigration Bodies

UKVI UK Visas and Immigration – The department responsible for visas and immigration decisions in the United Kingdom.

HO Home Office – The UK government department overseeing immigration.

VAC Visa Application Centre – Where applicants attend biometrics appointments.

Application Status & Visa Types

EC – Entry Clearance Permission to enter the UK when applying from outside the UK.

FLR(M) – Further Leave to Remain (Marriage) Extension visa after the first spouse visa.

ILR – Indefinite Leave to Remain Permanent residence status after completing the spouse visa route.

LTR – Leave to Remain Permission to stay in the UK for a specific period.

LTE – Leave to Enter Permission to enter the UK.

EUSS – EU Settlement Scheme Immigration scheme for EU citizens post-Brexit.

Relationship & Applicant Terms

Applicant The person applying for the visa.

Sponsor The UK-based partner who supports the application (must be a British citizen or settled person).

Dependent A child applying as part of the family visa.

Partner Includes:

• spouse
• civil partner
• unmarried partner (2+ years cohabitation)

Subsisting relationship A genuine, ongoing relationship.

Financial Requirement Terms

MIR – Minimum Income Requirement Minimum income needed to sponsor a spouse.

SE – Specified Evidence Documents required to prove income (payslips, bank statements, employer letter).

Cat A – Category A income Employment with the same employer for 6+ months.

Cat B – Category B income Employment less than 6 months or variable income.

Cat C – Non-employment income Examples:

• rental income
• dividends

Cat D – Cash savings

Cat F / G – Self-employment income

English Language Terms

SELT – Secure English Language Test Approved English test.

Examples include:

• IELTS for UKVI
• Trinity College London SELT

CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages English level scale (A1, A2, B1 etc).

Biometrics & Documents

BRP – Biometric Residence Permit Residence card issued after approval (being replaced with eVisa).

eVisa Digital immigration status replacing BRP cards.

Biometrics Fingerprint and photograph collected at the visa centre.

TB Test Tuberculosis test required for applicants from certain countries.

Application Tracking Terms

ECO – Entry Clearance Officer The officer reviewing the visa application.

DMC – Decision Making Centre Office where visa decisions are made.

NSF – Not Straightforward Application requires additional checks.

Timeline Terms

Priority service Faster visa processing (paid service).

Super priority Very fast processing option (sometimes unavailable for spouse visas).

Decision letter Official notice of approval or refusal.

Other Common Words

Cohabitation Living together at the same address.

Adequate accommodation Proof the couple has suitable housing in the UK.

Public funds UK government benefits that visa holders cannot access.

Immigration history Record of previous visas, travel, or refusals.