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What is an Expatriate or Expat?
The number of expats worldwide continues to grow but what does the term really mean?
An expatriate (often abbreviated to 'expat' or sometimes 'ex-pat') is a person 'temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing or legal residence'. In other words, somebody who isn't from 'around here'.
The use of the word expat has different meanings to different people and its usage has changed a lot over recent years. Some people might say 'I'm not an expatriate - this is where I intend to live forever' because they want to make a clear point that they are not tourists or temporary residents. Others see themselves clearly as expats.
In certain cases, the word expat or expatriate has specific (usually favourable) implications for tax status and treatment and is seen as a sign of wealth and status.
However the term 'expatriate' or 'expat' has become increasingly accepted by those living outside their home country or region.