What is the Difference Between Emigrant and Immigrant?

The main difference between an emigrant and an immigrant is the context in which the terms are used:

• Emigrant: This term refers to a person who leaves their country of origin to move to another country. In other words, someone is an emigrant in their original country.
• Immigrant: This term refers to a person who arrives in a new country to settle there. An individual is considered an immigrant in the country they move to.

Both terms can apply to the same person, as they describe different aspects of the same move: leaving one country and arriving in another. For example, a person who leaves their home country of Spain to move to the United States would be considered an emigrant in Spain and an immigrant in the United States. The terms emigrant and immigrant are often used interchangeably, but the distinction lies in the context and the country being referred to.

Comparative Table: Emigrant vs Immigrant

The difference between emigrant and immigrant lies in the point of view and the direction of movement. Here is a summary of the differences:

For example, if a person leaves their home country to live in another country, they would be considered an emigrant from the perspective of their home country, and an immigrant from the perspective of the destination country.