Difference between a long term ex-pat and an immigrant

[journeyofinsanity]

Just that really. Why do Brits abroad for 20 years call themselves expats rather than migrants/immigrants?

ScentofaMemory has fundamentally nailed it, tbh, but all the factors people have mentioned play into it, I think. (The distinction move for opportunities vs move for earning power is too simplistic, IMO, because there are plenty who move for neither reason).

I think it's primarily about self-identity combined with a (racist) fixed idea of what an immigrant is. The 'immigrant' of the popular imagination, I think, is of a lower status than the resident population and should seek to 'integrate' in all ways possible. The converse of that association is the idea that an 'expat' is of equal status to the resident population and their presence benefits the receiving society, which they won't necessarily feel the need to integrate into (hello, British - but not only British - colonial hubris...). Like others, I've had raised eyebrows describing myself (Brit living in an EU country for most of my adult life and now naturalised there) as an 'immigrant'.

Because immigrant has a negative connotation. They are immigrants though.

@MisschiefMaker Yes, the joys of border security, I’ve had some unnerving experiences over the years, including being taken into the back office for further investigation.

It’s amazing how differently I’m treated now that I have citizenship. Last time I traveled, they looked at my passport and said “Welcome back, Hambone!” 😂