Acronyms

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Browse our comprehensive list of immigration and asylum acronyms and abbreviations.
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  • A

    A

    Asylum


    AA

    Administrative Assistant


    AASC

    Accompanied Asylum Seeking Child


    ABS

    Absconder


    ACID

    Asylum Cases Information Database


    ACU

    Asylum Co-ordination Unit


    ADCS

    Association of Directors of Children’s Services


    ADJ

    Adjudicator


    ADSU

    Asylum Decision Service Unit


    AEA

    After Entry Appeals


    AFB

    Asylum Fingerprint Bureau


    AFU

    Application Forms Unit


    AG

    Asylum Group


    AI

    Asylum Immigration / Asylum Instruction


    AIO

    Assistant Immigration Officer


    AIR

    Asylum Interview Record


    ALU

    Asylum Liaison Unit


    AN

    Application for Naturalisation


    AO

    Administrative Officer


    APC

    Appeals Processing Centre


    APP

    Application


    APU

    Asylum Policy Unit


    ARC

    Asylum Registration Card


    ARE

    Appeal Rights Exhausted

    This is used to describe a person who has been refused asylum or any form of temporary protection, or whose leave to remain has expired and an application to extend it refused, and who has exhausted all possible appeals


    ASCMP

    Asylum Support Case Management system


    ASF1

    Asylum Support Form


    ASS

    Appeals Support Section


    ASU

    Asylum Screening Unit


    ASYS

    Asylum Support System


    AVR

    Assisted Voluntary Return


  • B

    B (OS)

    Application form to register as British citizen


    B (OTA)

    Application form to register as British citizen


    BC

    British Citizen


    BCI

    Borders, Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009


    BCPI

    Border control Policy Implementation


    BCU

    Business Case Unit


    BEO

    Bedford Enforcement Office


    Brit Cit

    British Citizen


  • C

    C/N

    Call Note


    CAMHS

    Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (NHS)


    CCT

    Criminal Casework Team / Complex Casework Team


    CEU

    Croydon Enforcement unit


    CID

    Case Information Database


    CIG

    Country Information Guidance


    CIO

    Chief Immigration Officer


    CJEU

    Court of Justice of the European Union


    CL(C)

    Charge Leave (Croydon)


    CLN

    Clandestine


    CMU

    Casework Management Unit


    COA

    Change of Address


    CoAT

    Change of Address Team


    COC

    Change of Circumstances


    CPC

    Central Point of Contact


    CPS

    Crown Prosecution Service


    CR (1)

    Application for blue or yellow certificate for Croatian


    CR (2)

    Application for blue certificate for Croatian


    CR (3)

    Application for purple certificate for Croatian


    CR (4)

    Application for residence card (non-EEA family of Croatian)


    CR (5)

    Application for an accession residence card (non-EEA family of Croatian)


    CRI

    Computer Records Immigration Service Hybrid / Computer Records Immigration Service Investigation Section


    CRTS

    Case Resolution Team South


    CTD

    Convention Travel Document


    CW

    Case worker


    CWK

    Casework


    CYP

    Children and Young People


    CYP

    Children and young people


  • D

    DBS

    Disclosure and Barring Service


    DC

    Detention Centre


    DCM

    Dialogical Communication Method


    DDV

    Destitution Domestic Violence concession (application for victims of domestic violence)


    DEMPU

    Detainee Escorting & Population Management Unit


    DEP

    Dependant


    DL

    Discretionary Leave


    DM

    Decision Maker


    DMC

    Document Management Centre


    DPA

    Data Protection Act (1998)


    DPU

    Data Protection Unit


    DQSP

    Data Quality Special Projects (formally Case Cleansing and Cestations team)


    DR

    Detention Review


    DRF1

    Application form for derivative residence card in UK


  • E

    E&E

    Immigration Service Evidence & Enquiry Unit


    EA

    Emergency Accommodation


    EAS

    Existing Asylum Seeker


    EC

    Entry Clearance


    ECF

    Exceptional Case Funding


    ECHR

    European Convention on Human Rights


    ECJ

    European Court of Justice


    ECO

    Entry Clearance Officer


    ECtHR

    European Court of Human Rights


    EDD

    Enforcement Distribution Desk


    EDR

    Expected Date of Release


    EEA

    European Economic Area


    EEA (EFM)

    Application form for a registration certificate or residence card for an extended family member


    EEA (FM)

    Application form for a registration certificate or residence card for a family member


    EEA (PR)

    Application form for a document certifying permanent residence or permanent residence card


    EEA (QP)

    Application form for a registration certificate as a qualified person


    ELR

    Exceptional Leave to Remain


    ELTE

    Exceptional Leave to Enter


    EME

    East Midlands Enforcement


    EO

    Executive Officer


    ERCU

    Enforcement and Removals Caseworking Unit


    EST

    Emergency Support Token


    ETD

    Emergency Travel Document


    EU

    European Union


    EV

    Emergency Voucher


    EV’s

    Emergency Vouchers


    EXTN

    Extension


  • F

    F/P

    Fingerprints


    FAO

    For Attention Of


    FAS

    Failed Asylum Seeker


    FC

    File Creation


    FCO

    Foreign and Commonwealth Office


    FGM

    Female Genital Mutilation


    FLR

    Further Leave to Remain


    FLR (AF)

    Application form to extend stay in UK (HM Forces)


    FLR (BUS)

    Application form to extend stay in the UK


    FLR (DL)

    Form to apply to extend stay or settle in the UK as a person who was refused asylum


    FLR (FP)

    Application form to extend stay in the UK


    FLR (HRO)

    Application form for applications outside the Immigration Rules based on human rights


    FLR (IR)

    Application form broadly for applications made under the Immigration Rules not covered by another form


    FLR (LR)

    Application form to extend stay in UK (long residence)


    FLR (M)

    Form to apply for an extension for stay as the partner (together with any dependent children) of a person present and settled in the UK, or of a person with limited leave or humanitarian protection


    FLR (O)

    Form to apply for an extension of stay in the category of academic visitor, domestic worker, UK ancestry, visitor for private medical treatment, dependant of a person who has limited leave to enter or remain in the UK other than under the points based system, general visitor, or other purposes/reasons not covered by other application forms.


    FLR (P)

    Application form to extend stay in UK as child of a refugee


    FLR (S)

    Application form to extend stay in UK as a stateless person


    FLTR

    Further Leave to Remain


    FOI

    Freedom of Information


    Form AN

    Application to naturalise as a British citizen


    Form EM

    Application form to register as British citizen


    Form NC

    Application for duplicate citizenship certificate


    Form NR

    Application for review when British citizenship is refused


    Form NS

    Application for confirmation of British nationality status


    Form T

    Application for confirmation of British nationality status


    FR

    Final Refusal


    FRE

    First Reporting Event


    FSD

    Financial Services Directorate


    FTP

    Foundation Training Programme


    FTR

    Failure to Report


    FTS

    File Tracking System


    FTT

    Failure to Travel


    FTTIAC

    Immigration and Asylum Chamber, First-tier Tribunal


  • G

    G

    General


    GAN

    Gatwick North Terminal


    GAT

    Gatwick / Gatwick South Terminal


    GCID

    General Cases Information Database


    GDPR

    General Data Protection Regulation


    GOA

    Grounds of Appeal


  • H

    HAT

    Housing + Accommodation


    HC

    High Commission


    HC2

    Health Certificate


    HEO

    Higher Executive Officer


    HMI

    Her Majesty’s Inspector


    HMRC

    Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (responsible for the collection of tax)


    HO

    Home Office


    HOF

    Home Office File


    HP

    Humanitarian Protection


    HR

    Human Rights


    HRA

    Human Rights Act (1999)


    HSMP

    Highly Skilled Migrant Program


  • I

    I/T

    In time / In Transit


    I/V

    Interview


    IAA

    Immigration Appellant Authority


    IAF

    Immigration Asylum Fingerprint


    IAFT-5

    Appeal to the First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) – Complete This Form if You Are Appealing From Inside the United Kingdom and You Have the Right to Do So


    IBPD

    Immigration and Border Policy Directorate


    IBU

    Interview Booking Unit


    ICC

    Initial Consideration Croydon


    ICD

    Integrated Casework Directorate


    ICI

    Independent Chief Inspector


    ICS

    Initial Consideration Sheffield


    ICU

    Initial Consideration Unit


    IEI

    Illegal Entry Interview


    IES

    Illegal Entry Section


    IFB

    Immigration Fingerprint Bureau


    IHS

    Immigration Health Surcharge


    ILL

    Illegal


    ILL CLN

    Illegal Clandestine


    ILR

    Indefinite Leave to Remain


    ILR WPP

    Leave to Remain With Previous Passport


    IMM

    Immigration


    IND

    Immigration + Nationality Directorate


    INDECS

    Immigration + Nationality Enquiry Bureau


    INEB

    Immigration Nationality Enquiry Bureau


    INT

    Interview


    IO

    Immigration Officer


    IRC

    Immigration Reception Centre


    IS

    Immigration Service


    IS96

    Most people who are subject to immigration control and are not detained are on temporary admission, which usually includes regular reporting requirements. They will have been given a form called IS96.
    Asylum seekers who apply at a port of entry may be granted temporary admission to the UK and given an IS96 letter, which can later be used to obtain an ARC. IS96 letters may also be issued to people who are released from detention.


    ISDU

    Immigration Service Documentation Unit


    ISHQ

    Immigration Service Headquarters


    IST

    Interim Support Token


    IT

    In Time


  • J

    JIU

    Joint Intelligence Unit


    JR

    Judicial Review


  • K

    KCS

    Keeping Children Safe


  • L

    LA

    Local authority


    LAA

    Legal Aid Agency


    LASPO

    Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Act 2012


    Lay By

    Hold/Store for Files


    LC

    Landing card


    LCCW

    Liverpool Charged Casework


    LCU

    Landing Card Unit


    LEO

    Local Enforcement Office


    LGBT

    Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender


    LGBTI

    Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and/or intersex


    LHR

    London Heathrow


    LKA

    Last known address


    LSCU

    London Support Casework Unit


    LTE

    Leave to Enter


    LTR

    Leave to Remain


    LWT

    London Workflow Team


  • M

    M/Cert

    Marriage Certificate


    MCT

    Ministerial Correspondence Unit


    MCU

    Ministerial Correspondence Unit


    MEU

    Midlands Enforcement Unit


    MLR

    Medico Legal Report


    MN1

    Application form to register child under 18 as British citizen


    MODCU

    Management of Detained Cases Unit


    MOE

    Method of Entry


    MPCS

    Ministerial Correspondence Section


    MPO

    MP’s Office


  • N

    N

    Nationality


    N/A

    No Action


    N/A

    Not Applicable


    NASS

    National Asylum Support Service


    NASS 1

    Nass Application Form


    NAT

    Nationality


    NCC

    Non Charging Casework


    ND

    Nationality Directorate


    NFA

    No Further Action


    NINO

    National Insurance Number


    NK

    Not Known


    NP

    Non Political Asylum


    NRM

    National Referral Mechanism


    NRPF

    No Recourse to Public Funds


    NSA

    Non-suspensive appeals


    NSA hub

    Non-suspensive appeals processing team (in the Home Office)


    NTL

    No Time Limit (form to apply for an indefinite leave stamp)


  • O

    OCC

    Office of the Children’s Commissioner


    OISC

    Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner


    OOT

    Out of Time Application


    OPR

    Other Ports Removal


    OSCU

    Operational Support & Certification Unit


  • P

    PA

    Political Asylum


    PAQ

    Political Asylum Questionnaire


    PAX

    Passenger


    PBS

    Points Based System


    PCU

    Public Caller Unit


    PEO

    Public Enquiry Office


    POA

    Port of Arrival / Proof of Address


    POU

    Presenting Officers Unit


    PPT

    Passport


    PR

    Police Registration


    PROFFCE

    Private Office


    PS

    Police Station


    PSG

    Particular Social Group


    PTA

    Post Tribunal Appeal / Permission to Appeal


    PTSD

    Post Traumatic Stress Disorder


  • Q

    QA

    Quality Audit


    QAT

    Quality Audit Team


  • R

    R

    Refuse


    R/P

    Residence Permit


    RC

    Reporting Centre


    RCT

    Removals and Cessation’s Team


    RCU

    Residual Casework Unit


    RD

    Removal Directions


    Reps

    Representatives


    RFRL

    Reasons for Refusal Letter / Reasons for Refusal


    RG

    Removals Group


    RGY

    Registry


    RIF

    Refugee Index Forum


    RLE

    Refuse Leave to Enter


    ROA

    Right of Appeal


    RODMU

    Regional Management Detention Management Unit


    RPU

    Return of Passport Unit


    RR

    Reporting Restriction


    RS

    Regular Support


    RS1

    Application form to register as British citizen


    RST

    Regular Support Token


    RST

    Removals and Cessations Team


    RV

    Regular Vouchers


  • S

    S of S

    Secretary of State


    S.55 duty

    The duty imposed by section 55 of the Borders Citizenship and Immigration Act 2009


    S1

    Application form to register as British citizen


    S2

    Application form to register as British citizen


    S3

    Application form to register as British citizen


    SAB

    Subject Access Bureau


    SAG

    Statement of Additional Grounds


    SAL

    Standard Acknowledgement Letter


    SAR

    Subject Access Request


    SCQ

    Self-Completion Questionnaire


    SCW

    Senior Caseworker


    SEF

    Statement of Evidence Form


    SEO

    Senior Executive Officer


    SET

    Application for Settlement


    SET (AF)

    Settle in the UK as a former member of HM Forces


    SET (DV)

    Application form to settle in the UK as a victim of domestic violence


    SET (F)

    Application form to settle in the UK as a child under 18


    SET (LR)

    Application form to settle in the UK on the basis of long residence


    SET (M)

    Application form to settle in the UK as the partner of a person who is in the UK and settled here


    SET (P)

    Application form to settle in the UK as a refugee


    SHA

    Secure Handling Area


    SOL

    Solicitor


    ST

    Support Token


    STU

    Student


    SUB

    Subject


    SUBS

    Subsistence


  • T

    T/C

    Telephone call


    T/CALL

    Telephone call


    T/SOLS

    Treasury Solicitors


    TA

    Temporary Admission


    TD

    Travel Documents / Team Dispatcher


    TD112 BRP

    Application for Home Office travel document


    TN(3)

    Terminal (3) Heathrow


    TN2

    Terminal 2 Heathrow


    TR

    Temporary Release


  • U

    UASC

    Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Child


    UK

    United Kingdom


    UKBA

    UK Border Agency


    UKF

    Application form to register as a British citizen


    UKM

    Application form to register as a British citizen


    UKPA

    United Kingdon Passport Agency


    UKVI

    UK Visas and Immigration


    UNCRC

    United Nations Convention on the Rights of a Child


    UNHCR

    United Nations High Commission for Refugees


    UTIAC

    Upper Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber)


  • V

    VAF

    Visa Application Form


    VAF AF

    Application form for UK visa as member of HM Armed Forces


    VAF1A

    Application form for UK visa as member of HM Armed Forces


    VAF2

    Application form for UK visa (non PBS work or UK ancestry)


    VAF4A

    Application form for family visa (family settlement or reunion, family joining refugee, or access rights to a child)


    VAF4B

    Application form for a UK visa as a returning resident


    VAF5

    Application form for EEA family permit


    VAF7

    Application form for certificate showing right of abode


    VAF9

    Application form for UK visa under the points-based system


    VARP

    Voluntary Assisted Returns Programme


    VIPP

    Vignette in previous passport


    VL

    Voucher Letter


    VOT

    Victim of Trafficking


    VRS

    Voluntary Returns Service


    VVIPP

    Visitor Visa in Previous Passport


  • W

    WDW

    Withdrawn


    WH

    Working Holidaymaker


    WIP

    Work in Progress


    WP

    Work Permit


  • X

    XFR

    Transferred


    XLTE

    Exceptional Leave to Enter


    XLTR

    Exceptional Leave to Remain


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