foreigner

Foreigner is a term used to describe a person who is from a country other than the one in which they are currently located. It generally refers to differences in nationality or citizenship, but can also reflect residency status or perceived origin. The concept is relational: a person is a foreigner in relation to a particular country or community. The word derives from the English foreign, with the agent suffix -er, and ultimately traces to Old English foren, meaning foreign or strange.

In legal contexts, governments distinguish between citizens and non-citizens. Terms like foreign national or alien are used in some jurisdictions to designate someone who is not a citizen of the state in which they reside. Definitions vary by country and can affect rights such as work authorization, voting, and access to services. Non-citizens may travel as tourists, temporary workers, students, or permanent residents, each with different legal statuses.

Socially, foreigners may experience a range of responses, from intercultural exchange and opportunity to discrimination or xenophobia. Attitudes are shaped by history, media, and local demographics. The label "foreigner" can be neutral in some contexts and pejorative in others, depending on how it is used and who uses it.

Because nationality and place of origin do not determine personal identity or abilities, many writers and policymakers favor more precise terms, such as immigrant, visitor, non-citizen, or foreign national, depending on the intended meaning and legal status.