CIBT Logo
      **Attention** The rules and requirements for Chinese visas have been recently changed by the Chinese Consulates. Please check the requirements carefully. CIBT may contact you for further documentation if the Chinese Consulates changes affect your request.      Do you have a group of 50 or more employees traveling to China for the Olympics? If so, let CIBT create a program for you.      For information, please contact ChinaGroupTravel@cibt.com.      The Chinese Consulate in New York is currently issuing tourism visas to US passport holders only and they are only issuing single entry business visas to non US passport holders.      Due to heavy demand for expedited passports, we urge travelers to contact us as far in advance of their trip date as possible. Note that all travelers MUST make a passport appointment through our National Customer Service Center (800) 929-2428 before sending their materials to CIBT.                      *** ONLINE STATUS CHECK NOW AVAILABLE! Click "Status Check" to locate your submission NOW!                     
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
A Return to top 
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 ½ 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
B Return to top 
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 applicant’s 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 applicant’s expenses, among other requirements.
Business Day In the context of CIBT’s 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
C Return to top 
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
Child’s Passport See Passport, Child’s
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 CIBT’s services.
CIBT Account Number Your “CIBT Account Number” is the four or five digit number that helps CIBT’s staff retrieve all of your organization’s 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 CIBT’s primary customer service professionals with whom you speak when calling the CIBT National Customer Service Center.
CIBT President’s Award The “CIBT President’s 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 CIBT’s 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 customer’s 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.
D Return to top 
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 operator’s 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 driver’s license from that country.
Duration “Duration” refers to the maximum stay in a country that is permitted on a visa.
E Return to top 
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 country’s 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
F Return to top 
Fee, Base Service “Base Service Fee” is CIBT’s 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 CIBT’s additional service fee that covers CIBT’s 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 CIBT’s 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.
G Return to top 
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.
H Return to top 
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.
I Return to top 
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 country’s 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
L Return to top 
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
M Return to top 
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
N Return to top 
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.
O Return to top 
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 CIBT’s receipt of complete application materials. Overnight service will usually involve payment of an additional service fee to CIBT.
P Return to top 
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 applicant’s 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, Child’s 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 child’s passport is less than the fee for an adult’s 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 holder’s 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 applicant’s 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 applicant’s 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.
President’s Award See CIBT President’s 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 person’s 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.
R Return to top 
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 CIBT’s internal processing and delivery of the application to the issuing authority on the same business day of CIBT’s receipt of complete application materials. Rush service will usually involve payment of an additional service fee to CIBT.