immigrant

An immigrant is a person who moves to another country with the intention of settling there, often for work, study, family reunification, or safety. The term is used to distinguish movement toward a destination country from emigration (departure from the homeland) and, in some contexts, from the broader term migrant.

Legal status for immigrants varies by country. Immigration status can include permanent residency, temporary visas, or paths to naturalization. People who seek asylum or refugee protection are typically handled under separate international rules. In practice, many governments use official entry and residency permissions to determine immigrant status.

Common reasons for immigrating include economic opportunity, education, family ties, political or environmental hardship, and safety concerns. Immigrants may face barriers such as language differences, credential recognition, discrimination, and limited access to housing or services. Successful integration often involves language learning, employment, education, social participation, and pathways to citizenship.

Immigration affects both origin and destination countries through demographic shifts, labor markets, and cultural exchange. Remittances can support families back home, while host societies gain skilled workers and diversity. Policy debates focus on border controls, visa quotas, labor needs, humanitarian protections, and the social and economic costs and benefits of immigration.

See also: emigration, migrant, refugee, citizenship.