Immigrant vs. Emigrant — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
An immigrant moves into a new country, while an emigrant moves out of one's country.
Difference Between Immigrant and Emigrant
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Immigrants are individuals who arrive in a new country to live permanently, bringing their cultural and social influences with them. They are considered incoming members of their new country, contributing to its demographic and cultural makeup. The term "immigrant" centers on the destination of the individuals who have moved; it emphasizes the act of settling in a new place.
Emigrants, conversely, are those leaving their native country to reside elsewhere, focusing on the origin of their journey. The word "emigrant" highlights the departure aspect, referring to the act of leaving one’s country to live in another. This term often conveys the perspective of the origin country, acknowledging the loss or change in its population.
Both immigrants and emigrants experience a transitional phase; however, their experiences are labeled differently depending on the perspective taken. Immigrants are seen from the viewpoint of the arrival country, looking at the influx of new residents. Emigrants are viewed through the lens of the departure country, considering those who have departed its borders.
In discussions of migration, "immigrant" and "emigrant" both address the movement of people but from opposite ends. Immigrants add to the population count of a nation, while emigrants are subtracted from it. It is a shift in focus: one to the country of arrival, the other to the country of origin.
Each term carries its own set of policies and perceptions, with "immigrant" often being associated with the policies of integration and acceptance in the new country, while "emigrant" may relate to issues of emigration control and the loss of citizens in the home country.
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Comparison Chart
Perspective
Viewed from the destination country
Viewed from the country of origin
Movement
Incoming to a new country
Outgoing from a home country
Emphasis
On settling in a new place
On leaving one's own country
Impact
Adds to the demographic of the destination
Reduces the demographic of the origin
Policy Association
Integration in the new country
Emigration control in the origin country
Compare with Definitions
Immigrant
Someone who arrives in a country for the purposes of permanent residency.
The family became immigrants to escape conflict in their homeland.
Emigrant
A person who leaves their country to live elsewhere.
The emigrant said farewell to her homeland with hope for a better future.
Immigrant
An individual who settles in a country other than their birthplace.
She became an immigrant when she moved from Brazil to Italy.
Emigrant
A former resident who leaves a country to live in another.
The emigrant felt both excitement and sorrow upon departure.
Immigrant
A non-native who establishes permanent residence in a foreign country.
The immigrant embraced the traditions of her new country enthusiastically.
Emigrant
An individual departing their native land to settle in another.
He was an emigrant on a journey to find work abroad.
Immigrant
A person who comes to a country to live permanently.
The immigrant found new opportunities in the bustling city.
Emigrant
Someone who exits their country for permanent residence in another.
As an emigrant, she took her cultural heritage with her.
Immigrant
A person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country
An immigrant village
Immigrant workers
They found it difficult to expel illegal immigrants
Emigrant
A national relocating to a different country for long-term residency.
The emigrant looked back one last time before boarding the plane.
Immigrant
A person who leaves one country to settle permanently in another.
Emigrant
One that emigrates.
Immigrant
An organism that establishes itself in an area where it previously did not exist.
Emigrant
Of or relating to emigrants or the act of emigrating.
Immigrant
Of or relating to immigrants or the act of immigrating.
Emigrant
Someone who leaves a country to settle in a new country.
Immigrant
A non-native person who comes to a country from another country to permanently settle there.
Emigrant
Any of various pierid butterflies of the genus Catopsilia. Also called a migrant.
Immigrant
A plant or animal that establishes itself in an area where it previously did not exist.
Emigrant
Removing from one country to another; emigrating; as, an emigrant company or nation.
Immigrant
Of or relating to immigrants or the act of immigrating.
Emigrant
Pertaining to an emigrant; used for emigrants; as, an emigrant ship or hospital.
Immigrant
One who immigrates; one who comes to a country for the purpose of permanent residence; - correlative of emigrant.
Emigrant
One who emigrates, or quits one country or region to settle in another.
Immigrant
A person who comes to a country where they were not born in order to settle there
Emigrant
Someone who leaves one country to settle in another
Immigrant
A new resident of a country who has come from another nation.
As an immigrant, he often reminisced about his hometown.
Common Curiosities
Why is someone called an immigrant?
They're called an immigrant in the country where they have arrived to live.
Why is someone called an emigrant?
They're referred to as an emigrant in the country they have departed from.
What defines an immigrant?
An immigrant is a person who moves to a new country to live permanently.
How do immigration laws affect immigrants?
They govern the entry, stay, and responsibilities of immigrants in the new country.
Do immigrants always move permanently?
Generally, yes, immigrants move with the intent to settle permanently.
Can the term 'immigrant' have different connotations?
Yes, it can carry positive or negative connotations depending on the social and political context.
What is an emigrant?
An emigrant is someone who leaves their own country to settle in another one.
Can someone be both an immigrant and emigrant?
Yes, relative to their old and new countries, respectively.
How do emigration laws affect emigrants?
They regulate who can leave a country and the process for doing so.
What is the focus of immigrant status?
It focuses on an individual's residency and rights in the new country.
What is the focus of emigrant status?
It focuses on the act of leaving one's country and the change in nationality.
Do emigrants always move permanently?
Often, but not always; some may emigrate temporarily for work or study.
Can the term 'emigrant' have different connotations?
Yes, it may be viewed positively as a new beginning or negatively as a loss for the home country.
What documentation might an immigrant need?
They may need a visa, residency permit, or citizenship papers.
What documentation might an emigrant need?
They might need an exit visa, emigration clearance, or a new country's entry permit.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
