this post was submitted on 21 Jul 2023
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The word you're looking for is "immigrants"
Expat assumes these folks are just going there to work and then return to their home country at some point. Immigrants seek a permanent life and citizenship in their new country.
I have never heard "expat" used that way. I've always heard it used for people who move to a new country permanently but never fully try to fit in. They live in expat communities and hang out with expats and retire there for cheaper costs of doing the same stuff they are used to. Many don't seek citizenship, though.
That's been my understanding. I grew up in an expat family since my father worked for a large international bank moving from one posting to another every 3 or 4 years and I've spent the last 20 years working in international manufacturing throughout Asia. I've lived on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.