noncitizen

A noncitizen is a person who does not hold the citizenship of the state in which they are present. The term is used in immigration law and policy to distinguish individuals from citizens (and from nationals in some jurisdictions). A noncitizen may still reside legally in a country, but their legal status, rights, and obligations differ from those of citizens. Stateless persons, who are not nationals of any state, are a subset of noncitizens.

Noncitizens can occupy a variety of statuses, including temporary visa holders, students, workers, permanent residents who are not citizens, asylum seekers, refugees, and undocumented or irregular migrants. Documentation typically depends on status and may include a passport from the home country, a visa or residence permit, and sometimes work or study authorizations. Rights granted to noncitizens vary widely by country and by status; many fundamental rights apply irrespective of citizenship in international law, but political rights such as voting and eligibility for public office are usually limited to citizens.

Common issues surrounding noncitizens include border controls, methods of entry, residency requirements, naturalization processes, and pathways to citizenship. Deportation or removal processes may apply to those who lack valid status. Social and economic integration, access to education, healthcare, and labor markets, and protections against discrimination are central concerns in debates over noncitizens’ treatment.

International law recognizes protections for asylum seekers and refugees and affirms nonrefoulement, while recognizing states’ rights to determine who may enter, remain, or become a citizen. The term “noncitizen” is primarily a descriptive, legal category used in policy and administrative contexts.