expatriate

An expatriate, or expat, is a person who resides outside their native country. The term is used for those who live abroad for extended periods, whether for work, study, retirement, or personal reasons. Expats may hold citizenship in their home country and maintain ties there, while living in another country.

Originating from Latin ex patria, expatriere, meaning "to drive away from the homeland," the word has long been used to describe people living outside their homeland. The shortened form expat is common in news media and corporate contexts.

Expats are often contrasted with emigrants and immigrants. An emigrant leaves the country of origin; an immigrant enters and settles in the host country. Expat generally emphasizes the location of residence rather than the act of migration and can imply a temporary or long-term stay, typically associated with professional or lifestyle mobility.

People become expatriates for work assignments, business, study, family reasons, retirement, or political safety. Globalization and multinational corporations have increased the prevalence of expat assignments, with housing, schooling, and support provided by employers in many cases.

Expatriates face legal and logistical considerations, such as visas, work permits, tax obligations, healthcare access, banking, and social integration. Some expatriates join associations or networks to support community life and navigation of local systems.

The term is sometimes criticized for suggesting privilege or for uneven use across regions, where "expat" may be more common for white-collar professionals than for migrants of other backgrounds.