Are you an immigrant or an expat? What’s the difference? And which one are you? If you’re not sure, don’t worry – most people don’t know the answer to this question. In this blog post, we’ll explain the difference between immigrants and expats, and help you figure out which category you belong to. Keep reading for more information!
Let’s start with the definitions
Immigrant
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, an immigrant is a person who has come to a different country in order to live there permanently.
Expatriate
To be consistent, Cambridge Dictionary tells us that an expatriate is someone who does not live in their own country.
What is the difference between an immigrant and an expat?
An immigrant is someone who has moved to another country to work and live there permanently. An expatriate, on the other hand, is a person who has moved to another country for a temporary period of time, often for work or study. Expats are also sometimes referred to as “foreign nationals.”
While both immigrants and expatriates live in a foreign country, immigrants have made the decision to make that country their permanent home. In contrast, expats typically plan to return to their home countries at some point in the future.
Thus, the main difference between immigrants and expats is that one group is living abroad permanently while the other is living abroad temporarily.
Common misinterpretations of the term Expat
It’s a common misconception that the only difference between an expatriate and an immigrant is the person’s race. Many people contend that the term “expat” was invented by white people as a way to avoid calling themselves “immigrants”.
This notion is completely false. While it may be true that the majority of expats are white, the term itself has no racial connotations.
An expatriate is simply someone who lives in a foreign country temporarily, regardless of race or nationality. On the other hand, “immigrant” is used to describe someone who moves to a new country with the intent to live there permanently, again without regard to their race or nationality.
So while the terms may seem to have the same meaning, they are not the same.
Immigrants and expats in Japan
In Japan, the foreign population is around 2.3%. Most of these are professional workers or business people who are here on a temporary basis. However, there is also a small community of immigrants and expats who have chosen to make Japan their permanent home.
You can see more details about Japan’s foreign population on Wikipedia.
The number of foreigners living in Japan is still relatively small but their presence is increasingly visible. This is especially true in Tokyo, where international schools and community groups cater to the needs of the city’s growing expatriate population.
While the majority of foreigners in Japan are well-educated and professional, there is a growing number of unskilled workers from Southeast Asia who are employed in manual labor jobs.
Regardless of their background or economic status, all foreigners living in Japan face some challenges in adapting to life in a country with a very different culture and values.
What are the challenges and benefits of being an expat?
For many people, the idea of living in a foreign country is an exciting prospect. However, expats often face a number of challenges, from finding work to making friends. One of the biggest challenges is obtaining a visa.
Depending on their nationality and profession, expats may need to obtain a work visa or obtain residency before they can move to their desired country.
This can be a lengthy and expensive process. Once they arrive in their new country, expats often find that they are treated differently than locals. This can be isolating, as expats may not have the same support system as they did in their home country.
In addition, expats may find adjusting to the local culture and customs difficult. For example, they may not be used to the food or the climate.
Additionally, expats may have difficulty finding work or housing due to their lack of connections in the country. They may also miss their family and friends from back home.
Despite these challenges, there are also many benefits to being an expat.
For instance, expats often earn more money than they would in their home countries. They also have the opportunity to meet new people and learn about different cultures. In addition, living in a foreign country can be a great adventure.
In some cases, expats may even find it easier to advance in their career than they would have at their origin. All in all, being an expat can be a unique and enriching experience.
What are the challenges and benefits of being an immigrant?
Being an immigrant comes with a lot of challenges. First, you have to leave your country of origin. This can be hard because you’re leaving your family and friends behind. You also have to find a new place to live and a new job.
Work is often hard to find, and you may have to take whatever job you can get. This can be difficult if you’re not used to the type of work or the working conditions in your new country. You might also struggle to learn a new language and adapt to a new culture.
However, there are also some benefits to being an immigrant. For example, you can learn about different cultures and ways of life.
You might also have more opportunities to travel and explore the world. You might also be able to send money back to your family in your home country. Overall, being an immigrant can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding.
Read: How to get a job in Japan.
Wrapping up
Now that we’ve clarified the definition and differences between an immigrant and an expatriate, are you ready to make a move? If you’re considering relocating for work or personal reasons, keep in mind that it’s not always a bed of roses.
There will be challenges and difficulties along the way but isn’t that part of the beauty of life? You never know what new adventures await you just around the corner.
Do you have other questions about moving to another country or concerns that you’d like addressed? Let us know, we love hearing from our readers.
Nyx, General Manager and Editor at Vertex Mode, is a seasoned 3D Artist in gaming and film, sharing insights on Digital Art and its creators.
