When moving abroad, what are the differences between expat vs. immigrant? As an expat (who is the great-granddaughter of an immigrant!), I’m going to do my best to unpack these definitions quickly and simply!
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“I’m an expat!”
“I’m an immigrant!”
Gosh, do those two statements feel so different! When we think of the word “expat”, we might think of that crazy aunt of ours who moved to Paris and has a million wine-centered stories from her time there.
“Immigrant”, however, may fill our minds with images of bundle-ladened people coming off of ships, seeking a new future. If we’re honest, it often bears a sort of tragic connotation.
So what do these two terms really imply? And what are the main differences between them?
Let’s dive in!
Expat Vs. Immigrant, Explained by an Expat!
If you’re new here, welcome! My name is Nat, and I’m a US citizen who’s been living in China for 5 years.
I am, by definition, an expat! “Expat”, a shortened version of “expatriate” refers to someone who lives outside of their native country.
What Does It Mean to Be An Expat?
If you look in a dictionary, you’ll see that “expatriate” actually DOES have some negative connotations!
To be “expatriated” can mean that you were REMOVED from your native country. A synonym for “to be expatriated” as an action is “to be exiled”. Yikes!!!
However, “expatriate” as a person can also refer to someone who WILLINGLY withdraws their residence from their home country. In other words, a person who decides to move abroad of their own desire.
Perhaps this is why we have the shortened word “expat”. “Expat” feels very different from “expatriate”. It’s much more friendly and much less serious sounding.
Also, it’s common that expat status is a temporary situation. The intent is to live abroad for a short time or maybe even a number of years, and then to return to the home or native country.
Citizenship Vs. Residence: WHat’s The Difference?
Important note: residence does NOT equal citizenship!!
“Residence” refers to where you are primarily living. “Citizenship” means that you hold a passport or other document of citizenship from that country.
For example, China is my country of residence, so I am an expat here! However, because I have a US passport, I am NOT a citizen in China. I’m still a citizen of the USA!
What Does It Mean to be An Immigrant?
To “immigrate” means to come to a country which the person is not native to, usually to live there permanently.
In other words: an expat moves with the intent to eventually return to their home country and live there again, but an immigrant usually moves with the intent of staying permanently in their new country of residence.
As an expat, you may live abroad briefly for work, school, or for the experience. But immigrants often move with the intention of settling down, perhaps even buying a home and starting a family in their immigration country.
As a result, their children and grandchildren may even continue living in this country!
At least, that’s the case with pretty much every American. Somewhere in our ancestry (or recent history!) is an immigrant who came to America and started a family.
In my family, my Gigi (great-grandma) immigrated to the USA in the 50’s! She had so many stories about learning to live in the USA, though she often did miss her home country.
My situation is nothing like hers; I moved to China with the full intention of returning home to the USA after some time. My Gigi, on the other hand, left her home country and didn’t look back.
I’m an expat with plans to go home, but my Gigi was an immigrant who stayed permanently in the USA.
Immigrant Vs. REfugee
Although my Gigi moved to the USA as an immigrant (she married an American), many other people from her home country came to America because their lives became too unstable.
In this kind of emergency situation, the person who is leaving their home country to run away from danger is a refugee. Refugees are people who have to leave their homes due to war, instability, or other dire situations.
Ideally, refugees will be able to return home after the situation improves. But many refugees end up staying where they are and becoming immigrants.
Many people may confuse “immigrant” with “refugee”, and assume that immigrants move because their home life isn’t great. As I mentioned in the beginning of this article, the word “immigrant” can bear a sad connotation.
But in many cases, there actually isn’t any kind of tragedy driving immigrants to move! Plenty of people immigrate for personal reasons which aren’t connected to suffering or emergencies.
Refugees, on the other hand, are only moving because of a bad situation, and might not have chosen to move otherwise.
Do Immigrants Have to Become a Citizen of Their New Country?
Usually, no! Immigrants can get visas for work or other purposes which let them live in their new country, even though they’re not a citizen of that country.
Both expats and immigrants can live in their new country with just their native country’s passport, as long as they maintain the correct visas. Moving abroad doesn’t have to mean losing your ties to your home!
However, many immigrants do seek a way to have dual citizenship in their new country. Oftentimes, that’s part of the reason why they moved.
This means that in addition to their native country, they will also get a passport and citizenship rights for their new country.
That’s probably the biggest difference of expat vs. immigrant. Expats are often temporary, moving without the intent of establishing a new permanant residence or citizenship. Immigrants, however, may be seeking both!
Summary
Expats most often move abroad with the intention to return to their home country.
Immigrants move abroad with the intention to start a new life, and maybe even get citizenship, in a new country.
Both situations are life-changing, and will require a lot of preparation and support!
Part of the reason why I started this blog was to answer questions and provide support for expats in areas which I felt were hugely overlooked. So I’m glad you’re here!
The expat vs. immigrant differences are many, but I hope this article helped you to get a better understanding! Have your own expat or immigrant stories to share? Let’s talk in the comments!
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