Definitions: 'Expat' or ' Immigrant'

What's sensitive?

One is there but intends to leave, the other intends to stay forever.

@Fred Expats wish to leave at some point? When?

BBC has a good explanation:

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20 … d-an-expat

OR

Someone who lives outside of, or beyond, their native country is defined as an expat. Typically, a business expatriate is a legal employee on a temporary international assignment, where they reside in a country outside of their citizenship. This is normally motivated by a career or business objective and infers a level of transience, or a role that’s only temporary, as opposed to permanent. This relocation into a new country, for an expat, can be facilitated by an organization, a government, or can even be self-motivated. 

Immigration more usefully defines someone who lives permanently in another country. The major difference between the migrant workforce and those on assignments as expats is the permanence of their move. Generally, expats are temporary workers, whereas immigrants intend to remain in another country indefinitely and may even eventually seek out citizenship. 

https://fmpglobal.com/blog/immigrant-vs … s-migrant/

@Fred Expats wish to leave at some point? When?
-@Tookays

When they feel it's a good idea. I was an expat, but I'm an immigrant now.

I like my new country so much I would see returning to the UK as a punishment.

As a note, "immigrant" is commonly used by clueless morons as a racist term.

You can't educate pork.

@External clear explanation. So, do we have any idea of how many 'expats' have become integrated into Mauritian society, and are still happy being called expats? I suppose it might be easier if the authorities make it easier to apply for and get citizenship, with all its advantages. Many countries allow for citizenship application if you have lived and worked a certain number of years within the country. However, there are many Mauritians who have moved abroad but are not called expats!

Hello and thank you for your message

Good topic, I remembered that we wrote an article about it on our magazine.

You can find it here :

https://www.expat.com/en/expat-mag/6606 … ebate.html

Mickael

Expat.com Team

@External clear explanation. So, do we have any idea of how many 'expats' have become integrated into Mauritian society, and are still happy being called expats?
-@Tookays

It will depend on how many are still living on the island  and what are the data from the government?

I am pretty sure that the authorities  ( EDB, passport  office or the ministry of Labour) don't even know !

We hear a lot from Non Mauritians before they land on the island  but we don't know when and why they decide to leave once they have taken  up residency .

My Mauritian family call us 'estranged/stranger', so that is what you may be called. Even though I was born here, came & went, I am a apparently a 'lestranger' (not sure how to spell that in creole). This is apparently because I lived most of my life overseas.  As far as I understand, 'lestranger' means anyone who was not born here, lived here & here for the term of their natural life. At the end of the day, I think it is just better to BE YOU whilst integrating into the Mauritian community as much as possible. I am Mauritian & yet I am still learning how to be a 'real Mauritian' haha. I have found it easier to fit in here by keeping ties with my 'real Mauritian' family but also making friends with 'non real Mauritians' - like some of the lovely people on this site.     

My Mauritian family call us 'estranged/stranger', so that is what you may be called. Even though I was born here, came & went, I am a apparently a 'lestranger' (not sure how to spell that in creole). This is apparently because I lived most of my life overseas. As far as I understand, 'lestranger' means anyone who was not born here, lived here & here for the term of their natural life. At the end of the day, I think it is just better to BE YOU whilst integrating into the Mauritian community as much as possible. I am Mauritian & yet I am still learning how to be a 'real Mauritian' haha. I have found it easier to fit in here by keeping ties with my 'real Mauritian' family but also making friends with 'non real Mauritians' - like some of the lovely people on this site.   
-@shirley1421971

I am pretty sure it is "Étranger" a french translation of Foreigner. It is the actual definition given by the dictionary and how we use it in creole.

Someone from another country

@Bhavna Thanks for the clarification - haha, sometimes my own family & I do not understand each other.

I did a little research in the etymology of the word "expatriate" and it originally meant "to be banished from one's country". Our current understanding tends to be tied to what a particular country defines it.

Today we live in a truly international setting as it is very common to have a spouse who comes from a different country and live in a third country. I think that this word now refers to the desire to experience of living in a different culture rather than a different country. For instance, EU citizens can live in any of the schengen zone countries and I am sure that they do not feel that they are expats in the EU.

I think that the definition of this word "expatriate" refers mainly to a state of willingness to be immersed in a different culture. The meaning is evolving and it will take some time for society to catchup. Definitions are recorded in the dictionary only after they have a wide-spread well understood meaning (https://www.dictionary.com/e/getting-wo … ng%20time.)

On a side note, one of my dreams is to live on the Moon or Mars, are we about to create a new word "ex-terran"?

As a celebrant of diversity and inclusion, I dislike labels… given by others and/or self. I know that some people take comfort in labels, but that’s not me.

I am happy just to be me,  John, who now lives on Mauritius, and tries to integrate into the vibrant, diverse country that has welcomed me.

I believe labels are fine as long as they aren't  intended to be insulting or used for less than reasonable political goals.

I am an immigrant, and very happy to be one.

Best thing I ever did

@JLPMaur Exactly. I would move to Mauritius in a jiffy ( well, within 6 months) if only my wife would come along! Labels work both ways -- sometimes those who move like to be labelled, and people where you move to like to label you. Preconceived labels which might not be good at all.

@Tookays You are 100% correct, there as those who feel comfortable being labeled, or labeling themselves. I have met people who are proud to be an ‘Expat’… people who believe the label gives them status, often the same people who never integrate into the local culture.

My favourite personal label was bestowed upon by the South African Apartheid government… my ID labeled me as ‘Alien’

By the way, I hope your wife agrees to move to Mauritius

@Fred good answer. Glad you’re enjoying life there, I intend to do the same later in life.

Hi all since we on the topic about Mauritius and residency please assist me. I own a property in Mauritius but it's below the threshold for citizenship.  How do I apply for citizenship ( I am South African) I would love to retire there sometime in the future

You can check on website dha pmo , Google it. You can check conditions for citizenship through different routes.

Through investors permit two years stay in Mauritius required,  you can use lawyer or you can call at prime minister office citizenship section to get more clarification.  Office is in government House port Louis.

@JLPMaur she hasn't yet. I am going to be there for the next 6 months anyway and try to persuade her.

@Tookays I wish you well!