Immigrant vs. Refugee — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
An immigrant is someone who moves to a new country typically for economic opportunities, family reunification, or lifestyle reasons, while a refugee is forced to flee their country due to war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Difference Between Immigrant and Refugee
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An immigrant is a person who chooses to relocate to another country, often for better job prospects, educational opportunities, or family reasons. On the other hand, a refugee is someone who is compelled to leave their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
Immigrants make a conscious decision to move and may plan their relocation over time, considering factors like economic conditions and personal aspirations. Conversely, refugees are forced to flee suddenly due to immediate threats, lacking the luxury of time to plan their departure or choose their destination.
While immigrants go through a process of applying for visas or residency, often choosing the country they want to live in, refugees typically seek asylum in the nearest safe country and must undergo a stringent evaluation process to be recognized and granted protection as refugees.
Immigrants, once settled, can choose to remain permanently in the new country or return to their homeland if circumstances permit. Refugees, however, often face uncertain futures, sometimes living in refugee camps or temporary accommodations for extended periods while awaiting resettlement or the possibility of safely returning home.
Immigrants contribute to the workforce and cultural diversity of the host country, often integrating into society by obtaining jobs, paying taxes, and adapting to local customs. Refugees, while also contributing when given the opportunity, initially often require more support from governments and international organizations to meet basic needs due to their displacement.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Chooses to relocate for various reasons
Forced to flee due to imminent threats
Reasons
Economic, family, lifestyle
War, persecution, disaster
Legal Process
Visa application, voluntary migration
Asylum seeking, forced migration
Integration
Often permanent, with a plan to integrate
Temporary, awaiting return or resettlement
Economic Impact
Immediate workforce integration
Initial dependency, gradual integration
Compare with Definitions
Immigrant
May settle permanently or temporarily.
He became an immigrant in the USA but plans to return to India after his work assignment ends.
Refugee
Applies for protected status in another country.
The family applied for refugee status upon arrival in Sweden.
Immigrant
Motivated by jobs, education, or family reunion.
They became immigrants in Australia due to the booming tech industry there.
Refugee
Leaves home country due to a threat of persecution.
He sought refuge in France after escaping war in Syria.
Immigrant
Requires applying for visas or residence permits.
She applied for a skilled worker visa as part of her immigration process.
Refugee
Requires initial support for resettlement.
Refugees often receive aid from organizations like the UNHCR for basic needs.
Immigrant
Moves by choice for better opportunities.
She immigrated to Canada for its high-ranking universities.
Refugee
Granted certain protections by international agreements.
Refugees are protected under the 1951 Refugee Convention.
Immigrant
Often integrates into the host society economically and culturally.
Immigrants in Germany must learn German as part of their integration program.
Refugee
Often lives in temporary housing or camps.
She lived in a refugee camp in Kenya for several years.
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
Refugee
A refugee, generally speaking, is a displaced person who has crossed national boundaries and who cannot or is unwilling to return home due to well-founded fear of persecution. Such a person may be called an asylum seeker until granted refugee status by the contracting state or the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) if they formally make a claim for asylum.
Immigrant
A person who leaves one country to settle permanently in another.
Refugee
One who flees, especially to another country, seeking refuge from war, political oppression, religious persecution, or a natural disaster.
Immigrant
An organism that establishes itself in an area where it previously did not exist.
Refugee
A person seeking refuge in a foreign country out of fear of political persecution or the prospect of such persecution in their home country, i.e., a person seeking political asylum.
Immigrant
Of or relating to immigrants or the act of immigrating.
Refugee
A person seeking refuge due to a natural disaster, war, etc.
Immigrant
A non-native person who comes to a country from another country to permanently settle there.
Refugee
A person formally granted political or economic asylum by a country other than their home country.
Immigrant
A plant or animal that establishes itself in an area where it previously did not exist.
Refugee
(by extension) A person who flees one place or institution for another.
Immigrant
Of or relating to immigrants or the act of immigrating.
Refugee
To convey (slaves) away from the advance of the federal forces.
Immigrant
One who immigrates; one who comes to a country for the purpose of permanent residence; - correlative of emigrant.
Refugee
One who flees to a shelter, or place of safety.
Immigrant
A person who comes to a country where they were not born in order to settle there
Refugee
Especially, one who, in times of persecution or political commotion, flees to a foreign power or country for safety; as, the French refugees who left France after the revocation of the edict of Nantes.
Refugee
An exile who flees for safety
Common Curiosities
Can refugees choose their destination?
Refugees often cannot choose their destination as they seek immediate safety, usually in the nearest safe country.
What is an immigrant?
An immigrant is a person who moves to a new country voluntarily, often for personal or economic reasons.
What legal processes do immigrants undergo?
Immigrants must apply for visas or residence permits, adhering to the immigration laws of the destination country.
How do the reasons for immigration and seeking refuge differ?
Immigration is motivated by personal choice for better opportunities, while seeking refuge is a compelled act due to life-threatening conditions.
What support do refugees need upon arrival?
Refugees often need basic necessities, legal aid, and psychological support to start rebuilding their lives in a new country.
What defines a refugee?
A refugee is defined as someone who is forced to flee their country due to persecution, war, or violence.
How do immigrants and refugees contribute to the host country?
Immigrants typically enter the workforce and integrate economically soon after arrival, whereas refugees may require initial support before they can contribute.
What is the status of refugees in international law?
Refugees are protected under international law, which mandates that they should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom.
Can immigrants return to their home countries?
Yes, immigrants can return if they choose, as their migration is voluntary.
How permanent is the status of a refugee compared to an immigrant?
Refugees often have a temporary status until they can return home safely or are resettled permanently, unlike immigrants who might migrate with the intention of permanent residency.
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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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
