foreigners

A foreigner is a person who is in a country different from their country of citizenship or origin. The term is widely used, but its meaning varies with legal, cultural, and historical context. It may refer to non-nationals, visitors, or residents without permanent status, depending on the setting.

In law, foreigners are often non-nationals. Immigration and asylum regimes define their status, rights, and duties, including visas, residence permits, work authorization, and access to services. Some countries distinguish temporary visitors, permanent residents, and naturalized citizens; others use broader categories such as foreign nationals.

Historically, borders, language, religion, and ethnicity have shaped who counts as foreign. The concept influenced diplomacy, trade, migration, and conflict. Globalization has increased cross-border movement while renewing debates about national identity and security.

Socially, foreigners can face discrimination and stereotyping, but they also contribute to economies and culture through labor, entrepreneurship, and exchange. Policy aims balance security, economic needs, and human rights, including anti-discrimination protections and access to legal remedies.

In contemporary discourse, topics include migration flows, refugee protection, multilingualism, integration policies, and border controls. Public debate often weighs sovereignty and security against humanitarian obligations and economic benefits of foreign presence.

See also immigration, citizenship, xenophobia, and asylum policy.