A minimum grade request is an instruction, available through some services and situations, that says you only want the card slabbed if it reaches a certain grade. If it does not meet that threshold, the card may be returned ungraded or handled according to that company’s current rules. Ask a nearby grading shop whether the grader and service level you are using even allow this option, because rules vary and can change.
Minimum grade requests can make sense when a lower grade would not help resale, when you want to avoid cracking an existing slab for a weak result, or when authentication alone is not your goal. They can also create surprises if fees still apply or if the card returns without the holder you expected. The crack and resubmit guide and is grading worth it guide explain the economics. Get the policy in writing before submitting, and compare the worst acceptable outcome against simply keeping the card raw or in its current holder.