Embassy of the United States

Citizenship & Immigration Services

Immigration Acronyms

AAO	Administrative Appeals Office
Act	Implies the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), as amended
A-File	Alien File
Alien	Any person who is not a citizen or national of the United States.
A-Number	Alien Number
AOS	Adjustment of Status
ASC	Application Support Center
BIA	Board of Immigration Appeals
CBP	U.S. Customs and Border Protection
CCA	Child Citizenship Act of 2000
CFR	Code of Federal Regulations
CIS	Citizenship and Immigration Services (also known as BCIS or USCIS)
COA	Class of Admission
COB	Country of Birth
COC	Country of Citizenship
CSPA	Child Status Protection Act
DD	District Director
DHS	Department of Homeland Security
DOB	Date of Birth
DOD	Department of Defense
DOJ	Department of Justice
DOL	Department of Labor
DOS	Department of State
DV	Diversity Visa Program
EAD	Employment Authorization Document
EOIR	Executive Office for Immigration Review
EWI	Entry Without Inspection
FAM	Foreign Affairs Manual
FCO	File Control Office
FOIA	Freedom of Information Act
Green Card	Officially known as Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551/151)
HQ	Headquarters
ICE	U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
IIRIRA	The Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
IJ	Immigration Judge
IMFA	Immigration Marriage Fraud Amendments of 1986
IMMACT	The Immigration Act of 1990
INA	Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended
INS	Immigration and Naturalization Service
INSERTS	Immigration and Naturalization Service Early Research and Transmittal System
IRCA	Immigration Reform and Control Act, 1986
IV	Immigrant Visa
LAPR	Lawfully Admitted for Permanent Residence
LPR	Lawful Permanent Resident
NATZ	Naturalization
NIV	Non Immigrant Visa
NOID	Notice of Intent to Deny
NOIR	Notice of Intent to Revoke
NVC	National Visa Center
OI	Operation Instructions
OIC	Officer in Charge
OSC	Order to Show Cause
PA	Privacy Act
POE	Port of Entry
TWOV	Transit Without Visa
USA Patriot Act	Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism" Act of 2001
U.S.C.	United States Code
USC	United States Citizen
VD	Voluntary Departure
VWPP	Visa Waiver Pilot Program