When I moved from India to the United States more than two decades ago, I never stopped to think about which label applied to me. I was focused on settling into a new country, making friends, understanding a different culture, and building a life from scratch.

Looking back, I realize that moving abroad wasn’t just about changing countries.

It changed me.

Over the years, I’ve heard countless debates about the words expat and immigrant. Some people strongly identify as one or the other. Others avoid both terms altogether.

What word do you use when people ask about your status abroad? Have you noticed people treating you differently based on the label you use?

If you want to hear more about this, go check out the full discussion on The Expat Woman YouTube Channel. Let’s talk about it in the comments!

The Dictionary Says One Thing…

Technically, the difference seems simple.

An expat is someone living outside their home country, often temporarily.

An immigrant is someone who moves to another country to live there permanently.

If it were really that straightforward, we’d all use these words consistently.

But we don’t.

A retiree who moves from the UK to Spain is often called an expat.

An engineer who moves from India to the United States on a temporary work visa is frequently called an immigrant.

Clearly, there’s more going on than dictionary definitions.

The Elephant in the Room: Passport Privilege

In reality, the word “expat” has become a status symbol.

Too often, it’s a term reserved for wealthy individuals from Western nations. It sounds adventurous, optional, and elite. When an “expat” moves, it’s seen as a cool career move or a chic lifestyle upgrade.

Meanwhile, the word “immigrant” has been heavily politicized. The media and politicians have conditioned people to associate it with struggle, desperation, or economic burden. Because of that bias, your label isn’t actually determined by how long you plan to stay in a country it’s determined by your passport, your race, and your bank account.

The Double Standard of “Fitting In

This isn’t just about semantics; these labels change how you get treated on the ground every single day.

• The Expat Experience: Expats get a pass on integration. If an expat lives in Mexico or Spain for five years and only speaks broken local language, people shrug it off. They form bubbles, open businesses catering to other foreigners, and it’s called “community building.”

• The Immigrant Experience: Immigrants face massive pressure to assimilate immediately. If they stick to communities of their own nationality or struggle with the language, they’re often criticized for “refusing to integrate.”

It’s a frustrating double standard. It implies that some global citizens are welcome guests, while others are just people to be managed.

Reclaiming the Narrative

So, what should we call ourselves?

A lot of women navigating life abroad are completely dropping the word “expat” because of its elitist vibes. Some are proudly claiming “immigrant” to level the playing field, while others prefer neutral terms like “global nomad” or “international resident.”

At the end of the day, leaving your comfort zone to build a life in a brand-new country takes a massive amount of grit. Whether you moved for a corporate promotion, a relationship, or just a fresh start, everyone making that leap deserves the same level of respect..

What We Have in Common

One of the greatest privileges of building The Expat Woman has been meeting thousands of women living around the world.

Some moved for love.

Some for work.

Some followed a dream.

Others moved because life gave them no other choice.

Our reasons may be different, but so many of our experiences are remarkably similar.

We know what it feels like to leave behind family and friends.

We know the excitement of discovering a new culture and the loneliness that can come with starting over.

We understand what it’s like to build a new community, navigate unfamiliar systems, and sometimes question where we truly belong.

Moving abroad changes all of us.

It teaches resilience.

It stretches us.

And often, it helps us discover strengths we never knew we had.

So… Am I an Expat or an Immigrant?

My answer is simple.

I’m someone who moved abroad.

I’m someone who has built a life in another country.

I’m someone who understands both the excitement and the challenges of starting over.

Whether you call yourself an expat, an immigrant, an international professional, or simply someone living abroad, I hope we never lose sight of what really connects us.

Because what matters isn’t the label.

What matters is the courage it takes to leave one life behind and build another.stepping stone and self-doubt as something to outgrow. Over time, I replaced limiting beliefs with a more empowered story.

I’d Love to Hear From You

When people ask about your life abroad, what do you call yourself?

Do you identify as an expat?

An immigrant?

Something else entirely?

Or do you think the label doesn’t matter?

Share your thoughts in the comments of the video here