CIBT, Inc.

Glossary of Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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A4-Sized Application Form	See Application Form, A4-Sized
Account Management Team	See CIBT Account Management Team
Account Number	See CIBT Account Number
Additional Pages in Passport	See Passport, Additional Pages
Alien Registration Card	See Green Card
Ambassador	The Ambassador is the chief diplomatic officer in an embassy and the duly empowered representative of one country to another nation.
Apostille	An Apostille is an official state-issued stamp or attachment to any public or private document that makes the document legal for use in any country that has signed the Hague Convention on Documents.
Application Form, A4-Sized	An A4-Sized Application Form is a visa or passport application that may be photocopied as long as it is maintained in its original 210 millimeter by 297 millimeter international size and in original proportions.
Application Form, Legal-Size	A Legal-Sized Application Form is a visa or passport application that may be photocopied as long as it is maintained in its original 8 inch by 14 inch size and in original proportions.
Application Form, Original	An Original Application Form is a visa or passport form that may not be photocopied such that only the exact forms issued by the consulate or government body may be used.
Application Form, Two-Sided	A Two-Sided Application Form is a visa or passport form that may be photocopied as long as all copies utilize both the front and the back sides of the paper in the same manner as the original government-issued form. Two-Sided Application Forms may utilize letter, legal, or A4 sized paper.
ARC	See Green Card
Authentication	An Authentication is a federal or state Secretary of State-issued stamp or attachment to any document that verifies the genuineness of the signatures on the document.
Authorization Note	See Passport Authorization Note
Base Service Fee	See Fee, Base Service
Biometric Passport	A "Biometric Passport" carries biometric details, such as fingerprints or face recognition data, on a microchip within the passport itself.
Birth Certificate, Certified	See Certified Birth Certificate
Business Cover Letter	A Business Cover Letter is a formal letter of introduction from a visa applicants company to the government of the issuing country. Business Cover Letters must be on company letterhead, must be signed by someone in authority other than the applicant, and they must include a guarantee that the company will pay the applicants expenses, among other requirements.
Business Day	In the context of CIBTs processing times, a Business Day is each full day allowed to CIBT for processing any complete set of application materials, provided that both CIBT and the issuing authority are open for business.
Business Visa	See Visa, Business
CDC	See Centers for Disease Control
Centers for Disease Control	Centers for Disease Control is the branch of the U.S. Government that issues official health advisories for travel to other nations, among other things.
Certified Birth Certificate	A Certified Birth Certificate in this context is an official copy of a birth certificate issued by a U.S. state or local government recording a birth within the U.S. A certified birth certificate usually carried a raised state or local government seal or is printed on formal color paper.
Certified Marriage Certificate	See Marriage Certificate, Certified
Check Writing Fee	See Fee, Check Writing
Childs Passport	See Passport, Childs
Cholera	Cholera is a bacterial infection of the intestine that transmitted by food and water and produces symptoms that include profuse diarrhea, vomiting, and leg cramps. Cholera is found primarily in poorer parts of Africa, South America, Central America, Southeast Asia, parts of Eastern Europe, and the Indian subcontinent.
CIBT Account Management Team	The CIBT Account Management Team is a special group of CIBT employees that are charged with maximizing our clients satisfaction with CIBTs services.
CIBT Account Number	Your CIBT Account Number is the four or five digit number that helps CIBTs staff retrieve all of your organizations contact and address information, preferences, fee structure, and special shipping arrangements.
CIBT National Customer Service Center	The CIBT National Customer Service Center is a CIBT office that provides a full range of telephone customer services. Each CIBT client will have a designated primary CIBT National Customer Service Center phone number.
CIBT Customer Service Representative	A CIBT Customer Service Representative is one of CIBTs primary customer service professionals with whom you speak when calling the CIBT National Customer Service Center.
CIBT Presidents Award	The CIBT Presidents Award is a special employee recognition program that provides accolades and cash prizes to CIBT employees who deliver the most outstanding customer service.
CIBT Processing Center	A CIBT Processing Center is a CIBT office that provides visa, passport, and other document processing services but does not offer a full range of telephone customer service.
CIBT Submission Sheet	A CIBT Submission Sheet is a CIBT-designed form that is intended to be completed and sent to CIBT with every processing request so that CIBT will know exactly how you want the work processed, billed, and returned.
CIBT Travel Documents Manual	The CIBT Travel Documents Manual is this publication, which is designed for the benefit of CIBTs clients and replaces the CIBT Passport and Visa Handbook.
CIR	A "Customer Inquiry Response is a fax or e-mail sent by CIBT to the customer containing information in response to the customers inquiry.
Consul	The Consul is the chief diplomatic officer in a consulate.
Consular Fee	See Fee, Consular
Consulate	A Consulate is any authorized diplomatic office of a country other than an embassy that is located within another country. A primary function of a consulate is the issuance of visas.
Cover Letter	See Business Cover Letter
CSR	See CIBT Customer Service Representative
Customer Service Center	See CIBT National Customer Service Center
Customer Service Representative	See CIBT Customer Service Representative
Customs	In general, U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the government department that controls the flow of goods across a country's borders. In the U.S., U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a branch of the Department of Homeland Security.
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Department of Homeland Security	The "Department of Homeland Security" is a U.S. government agency that is tasked to prevent and deter terrorist attacks and to respond to threats and hazards to the U.S.
Driving Permit, Inter-American	An Inter-American Driving Permit is a special type of automobile operators license that is honored by most Central and South American countries.
Driving Permit, International	An International Driving Permit is a form of global license to drive an automobile that is recognized in most countries around the world. Holders of International Driving Permits may drive automobiles legally within any country that honors the documents without obtaining a local drivers license from that country.
Duration	Duration refers to the maximum stay in a country that is permitted on a visa.
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Electronic Travel Authority	Electronic Travel Authority is the name of the electronic visas issued by the Government of Australia.
Electronic Visa	See Visa, Electronic
Embassy	The Embassy of one country is that countrys main diplomatic office that is physically located in another nation. Embassies are typically located only in national capital cities; most embassies in the U.S. are in Washington, D.C.
Emergency Passport Service	Emergency Passport Service is a CIBT term for processing or attempting to process a U.S. passport within three business days. Emergency passport service involves payment of additional U.S. Government fees and CIBT service fees.
Emergency Service Fee	See Fee, Emergency Service
Emigra, Inc.	This CIBT partner focuses on longer-term visas. Emigra can assist with those individuals who are relocating to other countries, either for extended projects or permanent transfers.
Entries, Number of	See Number of Entries
Escalate	To Escalate is to bring an issue to the attention of a Supervisor, Manager, or General Manager.
ETA	See Electronic Travel Authority
Expedited Passport Service	Expedited Passport Service is a CIBT term for processing or attempting to process a U.S. passport within a rush time frame as defined by U.S. Government regulations and for which an additional U.S. Government fee applies. Expedited passport service will usually also involve payment of an additional service fee to CIBT.
Expedited Service Fee	See Fee, Expedited Service
Extension of Passport	See Passport, Extension
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Fee, Base Service	Base Service Fee is CIBTs service fee for non-rush processing of a single visa, passport, or certain other document. Your base service fee depends upon your selected service plan, options, and other arrangements with CIBT and is subject to change in accordance with contractual provisions.
Fee, Check Writing	Check Writing Fee is a CIBT term for CIBTs additional service fee that covers CIBTs additional work and expense whenever an applicant does not provide the proper U.S. Government fee with a U.S. passport application. Payment of consular fees in support of visa applications is included in CIBTs base processing fees.
Fee, Consular	A Consular Fee is any fee charged by an embassy, consulate, or other diplomatic representative for issuance of a visa or passport or for the provision of other official service. Consular fees are subject to change without notice.
Fee, Emergency Service	Emergency Service Fee is the additional fee that CIBT charges whenever Emergency Service is either requested by a client or is otherwise required in order to meet the requested processing timeframe.
Fee, Expedited Service	Expedited Service Fee is the additional fee that CIBT charges whenever Expedited Service is either requested by a client or is otherwise required in order to meet the requested processing timeframe.
Fee, Government	A Government Fee is any fee charged by any government for the issuance of a passport, visa, or other documents or for the performance of other governmental or official services.
Fee, Same Day Service	Same Day Service Fee is the additional fee that CIBT charges whenever Same Day Service is either requested by a client or is otherwise required in order to meet the requested processing timeframe.
Finger Scanner	A "Finger Scanner" machine quickly and easily takes a traveler's fingerprints upon arrival and exit from the U.S. without using ink. One places their index fingers on a glass plate that electronically captures their fingerprints.
First-time Passport	See Passport, First-time
Flight Itinerary	Flight Itinerary in the context of visas and passports is official confirmation of international travel reservations that is issued by a travel agency, airline, or travel reservation system.
Foreign Ministry	Foreign Ministry is a general term for the branch of government of any country that oversees diplomatic activities including the approval of foreign visitors. Other names for Foreign Ministry include Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of State, and Department of the Exterior.
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GlobalForms	GlobalForms helps travelers worldwide with their travel requirements. By using CIBT's website and our National Customer Service Center, travelers anywhere in the world will be able to obtain up-to-date forms, requirements, and instructions for obtaining temporary visas.
Government Fee	See Fee, Government
Green Card	An Alien Registration Card, ARC, or Green Card is an identification issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to non-U.S. citizens who have been granted the right to live and work in the U.S. permanently. Green cards are so-named because they were originally green in color.
Global Phoneworks, LLC	This division offers international cellular phone service to international travelers.
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Hepatitis A	Hepatitis A is a generally non-life threatening disease that is transmitted through contaminated food and drink and causes flu-like symptoms after a two-week incubation period. Hepatitis A is considered by many to be the most frequently encountered disease that can be prevented by vaccine, as it is found in approximately one-half of the world.
Hepatitis B	Hepatitis B is a serious disease that can cause liver failure and liver cancer, spread through the exchange of bodily fluid, primarily through sexual intercourse with infected partners, unscreened blood transfusions, and through usage of an infected needle. Hepatitis B is found throughout the world, but the highest risk areas are tropical areas of Africa and South America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic.
Honorary Consulate	An Honorary Consulate is a diplomatic representative of a country that has limited authority to act on behalf of the country. Honorary consulates sometimes have the authority to issue visas.
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I-94 Card	An I-94 Card is a small white card issued by U.S. Immigration to be retained in the passport for the duration of the visit to the U.S. to record the dates of entry and exit of all non-U.S. citizens. Except for permanent residents of the U.S., I-94 Cards list the date by which the holder must exit the U.S., and I-94 Cards are surrendered to the airline, other transportation company, or Immigration upon exit.
Immigration	In general, Immigration is the government department that controls the flow of people across a countrys borders. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is a branch of the Department of Homeland Security.
Information Page(s) of Passport	See Passport, Information Page(s)
Inter-American Driving Permit	See Driving Permit, Inter-American
International Driving Permit	See Driving Permit, International
Invitation	An Invitation in the context of visas is a formal letter, fax, telex, or other document issued by an individual, company, or government ministry in a country inviting a particular person or group of people to visit that country. Invitations are required by some countries before a visa will be granted, and the required format and protocol varies from one country to the next.
Itinerary	See Flight Itinerary
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Legalization	A Legalization is a Consulate-issued stamp or attachment to any document that verifies the genuineness of the federal Secretary of State Authentication on the document.
Legal-Sized Application Form	See Application Form, Legal-Sized
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Machine Readable Passport	A "Machine Readable Passport" has biographical data entered onto the data page according to international specifications.
Malaria	Malaria is a parasitic disease that is transmitted by the Anopheles mosquito found in 90 tropical and sub-tropical countries and causing flu-like symptoms, such as fever, chills, headache, and muscle ache after an incubation period of one week or more after being bitten.
Manual	See CIBT Travel Documents Manual
Marriage Certificate	A Marriage Certificate is an official document that records the event of marriage.
Marriage Certificate, Certified	A Certified Marriage Certificate is copy of a Marriage Certificate that has been issued by a state or local government.
Marriage License	A Marriage License is an official document that grants permission for a couple to be married, but it is not proof of marriage.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs	See Foreign Ministry
Multiple Entry Visa	See Visa, Multiple Entry
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Number of Entries	Number of Entries refers to the maximum allowable times that a visa holder can enter that country during the validity of the visa before having to obtain a new visa.
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Officially Sealed Envelope	See Sealed Envelope
Original Application Form	See Application Form, Original
Overnight Service	Overnight Service is a CIBT term for processing or attempting to process a visa or other document application to be completed on the business day following CIBTs receipt of complete application materials. Overnight service will usually involve payment of an additional service fee to CIBT.
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Pages	See Passport, Additional Pages
Passport	A Passport is a document that a country issues to its citizens for the purpose of facilitating international travel.
Passport Acceptance Officer	Within the U.S., a Passport Acceptance Officer is a person who has been duly authorized and trained by the U.S. Passport Agency to identify U.S. citizens for the purpose of passport applications. Most Passport Acceptance Officers are employees of the U.S. Postal Service or are Clerks of Court in County Courthouses.
Passport Agency	The Passport Agency is the official name of the branch of the U.S. State Department that issues U.S. passports within the U.S. and its territories. The U.S. Passport Agency maintains regional offices across the country.
Passport Authorization Note	The term Passport Authorization Note refers to a letter that must be signed by applicants for U.S. passports granting CIBT the authority to act as the applicants representative in the processing of the passport.
Passport Fraud	Passport Fraud is a general term for deliberately falsifying information in a passport application. Under U.S. law, passport fraud is a felony.
Passport Size and Quality Photographs	See Photos, Passport Size and Quality
Passport, Additional Pages	Additional Pages in Passport describes the process through which additional pages can be affixed into a passport that is filled with visas and airport stamps. Pages can be added to most U.S. passports several times, but pages can never be added to certain non-U.S. passports.
Passport, Childs	In the U.S., both parents must apply on behalf of any child under the age of 14. In the U.S., one parent applies on behalf of any child under the age of 13, the government fee for issuance of a childs passport is less than the fee for an adults passport, and any passport issued to a child under the age of 16 has a maximum validity of 5 years.
Passport, Extension	A Passport Extension is the process of lengthening the validity of a passport. U.S. passports can only be extended when they were originally issued for less than the maximum allowable validity, which is 10 years for adults and 5 years for children. Certain non-U.S. passports can be extended for an additional 10 years or more.
Passport, First-time	For U.S. citizens, First-time Passport describes the passport application process for those who have never had a passport before, those who have lost their passport, and those who still have their passport but it was issued more than fifteen years in the past or it was issued when the holder was under 16 years of age.
Passport, Information Page(s)	Passport Information Page(s) refers to the page or pages in any passport that contain the passport number, passport issuance and expiration dates, along with the passport holders name and place and date of birth. Any amendments to a passport, such as a name change or extension of validity, are also passport information pages. On U.S. passports, the information page is usually the inside front cover.
Passport, Renewal	A Passport Renewal is the term for the issuance of a new passport through a simplified process that uses the applicants existing passport as the evidence of citizenship. For the renewal of a U.S. passport, the previous passport must be submitted with the application, must have been issued within the past fifteen years, and must have been issued when the applicant was 16 years of age or older.
Passport, Second	A Second Passport is an option available to U.S. citizens to obtain a valid passport in the exact same name but with a different passport number. Second Passports are generally issued only to travelers who can document the need due to very frequent travel or other reasons. Few other countries will issue a second passport and are issued solely at the U.S. Passport Agency's discretion
Personal Appearance	Personal Appearance in visa and passport processing means that the applicant is required to visit the embassy, consulate, or government office in order for the document to be issued. Personal appearances may be required just to verify the applicants identity, or they may include a formal interview. In some cases, an applicant may be required to make a personal appearance at a consulate in order to submit an application or pick-up a completed document, but not both.
Photos, Passport Size and Quality	Passport Size and Quality Photographs is the term for Polaroid-type photographs that are approximately 2 inches square and feature a white or off-white background. These photographs can usually be either color or black and white, and they may be required in support of applications for visas, passports, and other types of travel documents.
Presidents Award	See CIBT Presidents Award
Processing Center	See CIBT Processing Center
Processing Time	Processing Time is the number of business days that it takes to complete the cycle to obtain a visa, passport, or other document.
Proof of Citizenship	Proof of Citizenship is any document that unequivocally proves the country of a persons citizenship. Acceptable proof of U.S. citizenship includes a certified birth certificate showing birth in the U.S. or a valid or expired U.S. passport.
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Refugee Travel Document	A Refugee Travel Document is a passport-like document that permits a non-U.S. citizen who has obtained refugee or asylum status in the U.S. to travel to other countries. Those who wish to travel on refugee travel documents usually must obtain visas for every destination country, and any required visas will be issued in the re-entry permits.
Renewal of Passport	See Passport, Renewal
Residence Visa	See Visa, Residence
Rush Service	Rush Service is a CIBT term for processing or attempting to process a visa or other document in fewer days than standard, with rush service generally involving CIBTs internal processing and delivery of the application to the issuing authority on the same business day of CIBTs receipt of complete application materials. Rush service will usually involve payment of an additional service fee to CIBT.
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Same Day Handling	See Same Day Service
Same Day Service	Same Day Service is a CIBT term for processing or attempting to process a visa or other document application in a single business day following CIBTs receipt of complete application materials. Same day service will usually involve payment of an additional service fee to CIBT.
Same Day Service Fee	See Fee, Same Day Service
Schengen Visa	See Visa, Schengen
Sealed Envelope	In the context of U.S. passport applications, a Sealed Envelope is the envelope into which a Passport Acceptor will seal a first-time passport applicants application form, photos, proof of citizenship and other application materials. The Sealed Envelope may then be sent to CIBT for hand carrying through the Passport Agency which must receive it within 5 days of being sealed.
Second Passport	See Passport, Second
Single Entry Visa	See Visa, Single Entry
State Department	The U.S. State Department is the branch of the government that deals with foreign relations and diplomacy. The State Department operates the Passport Agency, which issues passports to U.S. citizens, and all U.S. embassies and consulates in other countries, which provide services to traveling U.S. citizens and issue visas for foreigners who wish to visit the U.S.
Submission Sheet	See CIBT Submission Sheet
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Tourist Visa	See Visa, Tourist
Travel Document	A Travel Document in this context is any document issued by or under the authority of any government body for the purpose of facilitating international travel.
Two-Sided Application Form	See Application Form, Two-Sided
Typhoid	Typhoid is a bacterial infection transmitted by food and drink that causes fever, chills, headaches, and stomach pains. Typhoid is common to most parts of the world, except in industrialized regions such as the United States, Canada, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan.
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U.S. Re-Entry Permit	A U.S. Re-entry Permit is a document similar to a passport that allows non-U.S. citizens who are permanent residents of the U.S. to travel to other countries and return to the U.S. Those who wish to travel on U.S. re-entry permits usually must obtain visas for every destination country, and any required visas will be issued in the re-entry permits. Re-entry permits are often obtained by immigrants to the U.S. who cannot or chose not to obtain new passports from their home country.
U.S.-VISIT	"U.S.-VISIT" is a program by which all foreigners who are traveling to the U.S. on a visa must have fingerprints and pictures taken upon arrival into and exit from the U.S.
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Vaccination Certificate	A Vaccination Certificate is an official confirmation that a person has received a vaccination for Yellow Fever, with the confirmation being a doctors signature on an official yellow card that is issued under the authority of the World Health Organization.
Validity	Validity refers to the amount of time before a travel document expires.
Visa	A Visa is a stamp or certificate issued by one country that indicates that a person has been examined by diplomatic officials of that country and has been granted permission to enter the country subject to approval by officials at the border. A visa is not a guarantee that any visitor will be admitted to a country, as immigration officials at the border or airport always have the final authority.
Visa, Humanitarian	A "Humanitarian Visa" is a visa that is often granted to individuals who are traveling on behalf of relief organizations, and who cannot wait for the usual processing timeframe because of the nature of the emergency to which they are responding.
Visa, Transit	A "Transit Visa" is a visa that allows the holder to travel through a country for a short time period (such as with an airline layover), while on their way to their ultimate destination.
Visa Waiver Program	The Visa Waiver Program is the program through which citizens of about two dozen developed nations may visit the U.S. for business or tourist stays up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
Visa, Business	A Business Visa is a special type of visa that is issued to travelers who intend to visit a country for the purpose of commercial meetings, discussions, negotiations, and similar activities for a limited period of time. Business visas are usually insufficient for travelers who will undertake work or temporary work assignments in a country.
Visa, Electronic	An Electronic Visa is a visa that is recorded in a computer system instead of being issued in a passport.
Visa, Multiple Entry	A Multiple Entry Visa is a visa that allows the holder to visit a country an unlimited number of times as long as the visa remains valid.
Visa, Residence	A Residence Visa is a special type of visa that allows a person to reside in a country for a limited period of time but not to work. Residence visas are typically issued to the spouse and children of someone who receives a work visa.
Visa, Schengen	The Schengen Visa is a common visa that is honored by certain members of the European Community, namely Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, and Sweden.
Visa, Single Entry	A Single Entry Visa is a visa that allows the holder to visit a country only one time before needing a new visa.
Visa, Student	A Student Visa is a visa that allows the holder to visit a country to study for a limited period of time. Emigra, Inc. can assist with this visa.
Visa, Tourist	A Tourist Visa is a special type of visa that is issued to travelers who intend to visit a country entirely for touristic purposes or to visit friends and family for a limited period of time.
Visa, Work	Any of a variety of documents generally issued by the destinations consulate that gives you a strictly limited right of employment in a specific country.
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Work Permit	Any of a variety of documents generally issued by the destinations consulate that gives you a strictly limited right of employment in that country. Depending on the country, the work permit may be the final step in the work authorization process, or it may be used to secure a work visa.
Work Visa	See Visa, Work
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Yellow Fever	Yellow Fever is a mosquito-transmitted viral disease that is found primarily in Africa and the jungle areas of South America and causes symptoms including fever, jaundice, and hemorrhaging.