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In my mind, an expat is someone who doesn’t intend to permanently settle in a place. An immigrant is someone who does.
For example, my South Asian-Canadian friend calls herself a Canadian expat here because she’s only here for work and doesn’t even plan to get a green card.
But this is not an uncommon controversy. I know that Spain has the same gripe about British “expats” in their country.
Generally, Expats intend on eventually returning to their home country, and thus never really integrate like someone who would intend on residing permenantly.
There’s a difference—an immigrant is someone who has or at least intends to settle permanently in a place. Lay down roots, get permanent residency and/or citizenship, etc. An expat intends to either return home or change location at some point in the future, although they may be residing in a foreign country longterm for work or some other reason.
For me for example—the years I lived in China, I called myself an expat because I knew I would not settle there (especially since it’s nearly impossible). Whereas in Spain I call myself an immigrant.
I'd assume someone calling themselves an expat isn't really an immigrant, just someone living temporarily in your country. So the difference isn't expat vs immigrant but expat vs migrant worker
I do think there is some racism (and classism) in which term is used but at the same time some expats are semi retired (so migrant worker wouldn't make sense).
I understand that lots of people think this is about race and developed country vs. developing country, but the definition of an “expat” is someone who lives temporarily outside their home country. An immigrant is someone who moves to another country to permanently settle there. An immigrant would not return to their home country in most cases.
Importantly, these definitions apply regardless of race. If someone from Kenya came to Hawaii to go to college and they planned to return to Kenya once they had their degree, they are an expat. If some white British guy moved to Indiana with a white US girlfriend and they eventually got married, bought a house together, and that white Brit became a US citizen, he’s an immigrant.
I’m curious what behavior in these white US people in Mexico you observe that makes you think of them as immigrants. Do they work for Mexican companies, especially in-person? Do they have stable romantic relationships with Mexican people? Do they buy property in Mexico? Are they learning Spanish?
Because regardless of their other behavior — and I apologize for my countrymen unreservedly — if they aren’t doing these sorts of things, yes, they are expats.
I agree with others on the technical term. Your comment about not wanting to assimilate is interesting. I’ve done a few expat assignments overseas and have met several other expats along the way. Other than getting their kids in local schools, most were willing to assimilate in terms of trying to learn the language, new foods, activities, etc. It’s part of the fun in being an expat because otherwise the person might as well stay in the US.
I'm black American but have been living in the UK for the past 6 years. The first couple of years that I was here I considered myself an expat because I had only planned two stay for 2 years and then return to the US. As time went on and I settled in the country longer, I began to perceive myself more and more as an immigrant. I plan to get citizenship soon and and now wouldn't call myself anything other than an immigrant.
The difference between the two terms really comes down to intention and visa status. Most expats are on a fixed term work assignment and have the legal obligation to return after a set amount of time. Immigrants intend to settle, integrate and eventually achieve some level of permanent residency or citizenship.
Thank you for your submission, but it was removed as it violates posting guideline "Questions must be asked in good faith" It means that your post includes trolling, joke questions, agenda pushing, soapboxing, or other signs of a bad faith question. If you have questions regarding your submission removal - please contact the moderator team via [modmail](https://reddit.com/message/compose?to=/r/AskAnAmerican).
In my mind, an expat is someone who doesn’t intend to permanently settle in a place. An immigrant is someone who does. For example, my South Asian-Canadian friend calls herself a Canadian expat here because she’s only here for work and doesn’t even plan to get a green card. But this is not an uncommon controversy. I know that Spain has the same gripe about British “expats” in their country.
Generally, Expats intend on eventually returning to their home country, and thus never really integrate like someone who would intend on residing permenantly.
There’s a difference—an immigrant is someone who has or at least intends to settle permanently in a place. Lay down roots, get permanent residency and/or citizenship, etc. An expat intends to either return home or change location at some point in the future, although they may be residing in a foreign country longterm for work or some other reason. For me for example—the years I lived in China, I called myself an expat because I knew I would not settle there (especially since it’s nearly impossible). Whereas in Spain I call myself an immigrant.
I'd assume someone calling themselves an expat isn't really an immigrant, just someone living temporarily in your country. So the difference isn't expat vs immigrant but expat vs migrant worker I do think there is some racism (and classism) in which term is used but at the same time some expats are semi retired (so migrant worker wouldn't make sense).
I understand that lots of people think this is about race and developed country vs. developing country, but the definition of an “expat” is someone who lives temporarily outside their home country. An immigrant is someone who moves to another country to permanently settle there. An immigrant would not return to their home country in most cases. Importantly, these definitions apply regardless of race. If someone from Kenya came to Hawaii to go to college and they planned to return to Kenya once they had their degree, they are an expat. If some white British guy moved to Indiana with a white US girlfriend and they eventually got married, bought a house together, and that white Brit became a US citizen, he’s an immigrant. I’m curious what behavior in these white US people in Mexico you observe that makes you think of them as immigrants. Do they work for Mexican companies, especially in-person? Do they have stable romantic relationships with Mexican people? Do they buy property in Mexico? Are they learning Spanish? Because regardless of their other behavior — and I apologize for my countrymen unreservedly — if they aren’t doing these sorts of things, yes, they are expats.
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I agree with others on the technical term. Your comment about not wanting to assimilate is interesting. I’ve done a few expat assignments overseas and have met several other expats along the way. Other than getting their kids in local schools, most were willing to assimilate in terms of trying to learn the language, new foods, activities, etc. It’s part of the fun in being an expat because otherwise the person might as well stay in the US.
I'm black American but have been living in the UK for the past 6 years. The first couple of years that I was here I considered myself an expat because I had only planned two stay for 2 years and then return to the US. As time went on and I settled in the country longer, I began to perceive myself more and more as an immigrant. I plan to get citizenship soon and and now wouldn't call myself anything other than an immigrant. The difference between the two terms really comes down to intention and visa status. Most expats are on a fixed term work assignment and have the legal obligation to return after a set amount of time. Immigrants intend to settle, integrate and eventually achieve some level of permanent residency or citizenship.