[raincom]

Many gulf countries don’t grant permanent residency or citizenship even if one is born there to legal migrants. So they are expats

[yardie]

Yet, the SE Asian workers in the Gulf aren't given that title. If you are an American, European, or Australian you are an expat. If you are Indian you are just a migrant worker.

[seanmcdirmid]

Since when is India in South east asia?

[jackvalentine]

Are Indian business executives ‘migrant workers’?

[aatharuv]

Even in the Gulf countries, in many contexts, expat is used as a synonym for "white people", or at least people from rich countries. I used to live in Kuwait. In other countries it refers to any foreigners.