Welcome to the glossary section, where you can find a dictionary of all terms that commonly appear on our website. These are simple explanations, rather than complete, legal definitions. You can browse by letter or alternatively go to the advanced search anywhere on the site and search by Glossary.
All days of the week, including weekends and public holidays.
These are carriers that operate dedicated cargo-only flights, including mail flights.
A person or organisation that transports passengers or goods in and out of the United Kingdom.
The person appointed by a carrier as its main contact with our e-Borders programme.
This person appointed by a carrier as its main technical contact with our e-Borders programme.
The official document confirming a company has incorporated and registered with Companies House. (See Companies House.)
This is a virtual document (a unique reference number) that an organisation gives to migrants they want to employ, and that the migrant uses when applying.under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. Also known as confirmation of acceptance for studies.
These are virtual documents (unique reference numbers) that an organisation gives to migrants they want to employ, and that the migrant uses when applying.under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study. Also known as confirmation of acceptance for studies.
The process a carrier's interface must undergo after testing, to ensure it is ready to go into service and connect with our e-Borders system.
Duplicates of original documents, certified as exact reproductions, usually by the officer responsible for issuing or keeping the original, or by a solicitor, notary public, justice of the peace or any other person authorised to take a statutory declaration. A certified copy should carry a certificate, stamp or seal, and the certifier's signature.
These are carriers (usually of passengers) that operate on routes and to schedules that are planned according to the expected seasonal demand.
An event run by local authorities in the United Kingdom, usually by the section of the local authority responsible for registering births, marriages and deaths. At the event, successful applicants for British citizenship receive their citizenship. Citizenship ceremonies are also held in Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Channel Islands and at British diplomatic posts overseas.
A legal relationship that can be registered by two people of the same sex and that gives the couple legal recognition for their relationship. In a range of legal matters, civil partners are treated the same as opposite-sex partners who are married.
A requirement to pay money that can be imposed for an offence without the need for a court conviction.
Laws that define penalties that can be imposed for offences without the requirement for a court conviction. The penalties are usually a requirement to pay money.
A requirement to pay money that can be imposed for an offence without the need for a court conviction.
Close connection (with a country) may be by birth, adoption, descent, marriage, registration or naturalisation.
Close connection (with a country) may be by birth, adoption, descent, marriage, registration or naturalisation.
Organisations that carry paying passengers in and out of the United Kingdom.
The common travel area is a 'free movement' area comprising the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Isle of Man. The United Kingdom currently makes no routine immigration checks on passenger travel within this area, and passengers do not need to carry a passport or national identity document for immigration purposes.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent countries that consult and co-operate in the common interests of their people to promote international understanding and world peace. All of the member countries, except for Mozambique, have experienced direct or indirect British rule, or have been linked administratively to another Commonwealth country. For a list of members, and more information, see the Commonwealth Secretariat website.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 independent countries that consult and co-operate in the common interests of their people to promote international understanding and world peace. All Commonwealth countries, except Mozambique, have experienced direct or indirect British rule, or have been linked administratively to another Commonwealth country. For a list of Commonwealth countries, and more information, see the Commonwealth Secretariat website.
A parent's service under a European Community institution may be considered when deciding whether or not a child born outside the United Kingdom qualifies for British citizenship.
The list may change from time to time but currently includes members of the European Parliament and European Commission, judges, advocates general, the registrar and assistant rapporteurs of the European Court of Justice, members of the Court of Auditors, and the Ombudsman.
It also includes officials and other employees of European governments, including those working for the Council, the Court of Justice, the Court of Auditors, the Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions, the Office of the Ombudsman, the ECSC Consultative Committee, the European Investment Bank, the European Monetary Institute, the European Central Bank, the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, the Joint Research Centre, the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions, the Scientific and Technical Committee, the Monetary Committee, the EURATOM Supply Agency, the European Medicines Evaluation Agency, the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, the Europol Drugs Unit, Europol, the Agency for Safety and Health at Work, the Training Foundation, the Environment Agency, the EC Office of Veterinary and Phyto-Sanitary Inspectorate, the Community Trademarks Office, and the European Plant Breeders Rights Office.
The official organisation responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies, examining and storing company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation, and making this information available to the public. (See Companies House.)
The official document confirming a company has been incorporated and registered with Companies House.
Actions our staff will take to ensure that organisations are complying with their sponsorship duties under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study.
Our team of staff responsible for ensuring that organisations are complying with their sponsorship duties under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to work, train or study.
Insurance that will pay for any medical treatment required in the United Kingdom by someone who is not entitled to treatment from the National Health Service. You may have to show you have this insurance in order to be allowed to live in the United Kingdom.
This is a virtual document (a unique reference number) given to students, that they then use when applying under the points-based system for coming to the United Kingdom to train or study. Also known as certificate of sponsorship.
Confirm information by using evidence to support it.
Also known as the European Social Charter, this document sets out certain rights to improve the standard of living and social well-being of citizens of the European Union. It was updated in 1996.
A series of descriptions of abilities, accepted worldwide, that sets clear targets for achievement in learning a language.
Widespread or systematic attacks on civilian human beings committed at any time (not just during armed conflict), as part of a government policy or a wide practice of atrocities tolerated or condoned by a government or self-appointed authority.This includes offences such as murder, torture, rape, and severe deprivation of freedom.
Checks we make with authorities to find out if someone has a criminal record.
Working in the direct employment by the United Kingdom Government, the Northern Ireland Government, the Scottish Administration, the Welsh Assembly Government (from 6 November 2009) or, on or after 21 May 2002, the governments of the qualifying territories. (See Qualifying territory.) This does not include someone who is subcontracted on government projects or in the service of Crown servants, such as Royal Navy laundrymen or teachers working in schools on British bases.
This is a passenger-only vessel that travels to one or more destinations.