[decebalus1]

Technically (as far as I know) 'expat' was (supposed to be) used for people who were temporarily relocated to a different country. Even for a longer period. Think someone who's got a longer consulting contract and the big corporation is sending them abroad for a year. So someone who doesn't have the intention to immigrate. Including blue collar workers, regardless of social class.

But nowadays, it's usually high income immigrant westerners who don't want to be considered 'immigrants' because that's for <whisper> poor people.

After I've dealt with the US immigration processes years ago, I just call everyone who lives in a different country an 'alien'. Fuck this doublespeak.

This article actually features the company which published the 'study': https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20170119-who-should-be-... See if you can ignore the neocolonial tone and figure out expat vs immigrant vs migrant.

[natoliniak]

I noticed this weird doublespeak as well. I noticed that in Poland (where I live), permanent residents from the "west" refer to themselves as "expats" while working in the same office, same position, side by side with ukrainian "immigrants". Weird.

[thematrixturtle]

Poor country to rich country: "immigrant".

Rich country to anywhere: "expat".

Historically, though, immigrants were permanent while expats were expected to go back at some point.

[DrJokepu]

Oh I got another one! If you're from a rich place, you're an "expat", but if you're from a poor country, you're a "guest worker".

[odd_perfect_num]

Could it be that you and your countrymen are expats, or do the Ukranians also consider themselves to be immigrants?