| 212(e) | J-1 two year home residency requirement |
| AOS | Adjustment of Status |
| Beneficiary | A noncitizen who is the beneficiary of the petition |
| CBP | Customs and Border Protection |
| CFR | Code of Federal Regulations |
| COS | Change of Status |
| CPT | F-1 Curricular Practical Training |
| DHS | Department of Homeland Security |
| DOL | Department of Labor |
| DOS | Department of State |
| DS-2019 | the immigration document for J-1 exchange visitors; replaced the earlier form IAP-66 in September 2002 |
| EAD | Employment Authorization Document (often, a card that looks similar to a green card or driver's license) |
| ECFMG | Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates |
| FN or FNL | Foreign National (also the Beneficiary); also referred to as a noncitizen |
| I-20 | the immigration document for F-1 students |
| I-797 Notice of Action | a form used by USCIS to communicate updates about different statuses |
| IAP-66 | the old version of the DS-2019; no longer in use |
| ICE | Immigration and Customs Enforcement |
| INA | Immigration and Nationality Act |
| LCA | Labor Condition Application (only applies to H-1Bs and E-3s) |
| OPT | F-1 Optional Practical Training |
| PAF | Public Access File (for H-1Bs and E-3s) |
| PERM | Permanent Labor Certification (used for some employer-based permanent residency applications) |
| Petitioner | Generally refers to the petitioning employer; at the UW we list the Petitioner as "University of Wisconsin System" followed by the specific campus you are employed at (for example: UW–Madison) |
| POC | Point of Contact |
| PR or LPR | Permanent Resident or Lawful Permanent Resident (aka "green card" holders) |
| PWD | Prevailing Wage Determination |
| RFE | Request For Evidence - Generally, USCIS issues written notices in the form of an RFE to request missing initial or additional evidence |
| SHIP | Student Health Insurance Plan |
| SOC | Standard Occupational Classification codes (applies only to H-1B and E-3 petitions) |
| STEM OPT** | A 24-month OPT extension for students with STEM degrees **IMPORTANT: UW-Madison is NOT an authorized STEM OPT employer at this time. |
| USCIS | United States Citizenship and Immigration Services |
| UWMF | University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation (IFSS provides immigration services for SMPH/UWMF dually appointed clinical faculty) |
| VWP | Visa Waiver Program |
| WAE | Work Authorization End (for the I-9; the date someone can legally work in the U.S. until) |