Most of us have heard the word ‘migrant’ but aren’t quite sure what it means. Many a times people get confused between the words ‘migrant’ and ‘immigrant’. So how are both these terms different from each other? When can you refer to someone as ‘immigrant’ and when can you refer to them as a ‘migrant’? To help you out with these questions, this article will discuss everything that one needs to know about the words ‘migrant’ or ‘immigrant’.
The English Language might seem easy, but it contains many pairs of words that have kept students as well as other people confused about their appropriate usage in the language. ‘Migrant’ and ‘immigrant’ is one such pair of words. In most cases, people think that these words have the same meanings and can be used interchangeably. As a result, often, they end up using these types of words incorrectly. The points mentioned below will describe how one can differentiate between these two easily confused terms. Let’s go through them.
- Table Summarising the Difference between Migrant and Immigrant.
- The Difference between Migrant and Immigrant – Meanings
- Examples of Migrant and Immigrant
- Migrant and Immigrant – Conclusion
Table Summarising the Difference between Migrant and Immigrant
| Migrant | Immigrant |
| Meaning | The word migrant refers to someone who moves to other places in search of work or better living conditions. | The word immigrant refers to those who have moved to foreign countries permanently for work or for better living conditions. |
| Usage | It can be used both as a Noun and an Adjective. | It is used as a Noun. |
| Example | The migrant workers lost their jobs due to the pandemic. | There are many illegal immigrants who live in different countries across the world. |
The table above shows that the words ‘migrant’ and ‘immigrant’ are not synonymous and cannot be used interchangeably. Students who were previously confused by these terms can now see the difference between them. The points discussed below will help students have a clearer understanding of the words ‘migrant’ and ‘immigrant’ so that they can use these words correctly in sentences of their own.
The Difference between Migrant and Immigrant – Meanings
If you want a simple difference between the word ‘migrant’ and ‘immigrant’, then the former refers to those who leave their home town in search of improved job opportunities or living conditions for a short period of time. ‘Migrants’ generally return to their home country/town whenever they feel like returning back to their hometown, whereas the latter refers to someone who permanently moved to a foreign country either to live or to work. ‘Immigrants’ can either stay in a foreign country legally or illegally.
Also, when ‘migrant’ is used as an adjective, it is used a property or characteristic of someone or some creature who keeps moving from one place to the other for some purpose.
Once students grasp this points of difference, it will be easier for them to use these words in correct contexts. The following examples will help students understand the terms in a better and comprehensible way.
Examples of Migrant and Immigrant
The following examples will ensure that students understand the terms ‘migrant’ and ‘immigrant’:
Migrant – Raj is a migrant who travelled all the way from Jaipur to Pune to work in the mines. (noun)
The migrant workers went on strike to draw the attention of the mayor on their poor living conditions. (adjective)
Immigrant – Mr Kapoor has been living in the United States of America for 35 years. He first moved to the country as an immigrant. (noun)
Migrant and Immigrant – Conclusion
The words ‘migrant’ and ‘immigrant’ have entirely different meanings and can’t be used synonymously or interchangeably. When students are using these words, they have to understand the contextual meanings and situations before applying them. The BYJU’S website also offers various articles on many such ‘Difference Between’ articles that people can use to learn the English language in a better way.
FAQs
While dictionary definitions sometimes distinguish 'immigrants' – people who are, or intend to be, settled in their new country – from 'migrants' who are temporarily resident, 'immigrant' and 'migrant' (as well as 'foreigner') are often used interchangeably in public debate and even among research specialists.
What is the difference between an immigrant and a migrant? ›
The word migrant refers to someone who moves to other places in search of work or better living conditions. The word immigrant refers to those who have moved to foreign countries permanently for work or for better living conditions. It can be used both as a Noun and an Adjective. It is used as a Noun.
What is the difference between immigration and migration? ›
Immigrate is to come into another country to live permanently. Migrate is to move, like birds in the winter.
What are the differences between immigrant and emigrant essay? ›
An emigrant is a person who emigrates, or leaves a country. An immigrant is a person who immigrates, or settles in a new region. Often times, a settler will be both an emigrant and an immigrant because they are leaving one location to permanently settler in another.
What is an example of a migrant? ›
The term includes a number of well-defined legal categories of people, such as migrant workers; persons whose particular types of movements are legally-defined, such as smuggled migrants; as well as those whose status or means of movement are not specifically defined under international law, such as international ...
What defines an immigrant? ›
Simply put, an immigrant is a person living in a country other than that of his or her birth. No matter if that person has taken the citizenship of the destination country, served in its military, married a native, or has another status—he or she will forever be an interna- tional migrant.
What is the difference between an immigrant and in migrant quizlet? ›
immigrant is usually an international migrant, whereas an in-migrant may be either an internal or an international migrant.
What are examples of migration and immigration? ›
People immigrate for a variety of reasons, including economic opportunity, education, and family. Some people are also forced to migrate because of unsafe living conditions in their home country. Someone fleeing their home country due to war, natural disaster, or persecution is an asylum seeker.
Do refugees migrate or immigrate? ›
But is there a difference between migrants and refugees? And does it matter? The main difference is choice. Simply speaking, a migrant is someone who chooses to move, and a refugee is someone who has been forced from their home.
Does migration mean immigration? ›
Immigration falls under the concept of migration, but migration isn't limited to immigration. “Immigrate” means entering foreign country with a goal to stay there for good. Migration, in turn, covers both immigration and emigration. Another key difference is, immigration is permanent while migration doesn't have to be.
Migrant = temporary movement. Immigrant = permanent residency. Migration can occur within the borders of the same country, or cross international borders. Immigration occurs when a person crosses an international border and becomes a permanent resident in another country.
What are four differences between emigration and immigration? ›
Emigration means leaving one's own country. In immigration, people settle in other countries in search of a better job, a better lifestyle, or family reunification. The process of Immigration can be very different and it involves different aspects such as skills for required jobs, age limitation, and waiting list.
What is it called when you leave your country illegally? ›
Illegal emigration is departure from a country in violation of emigration laws.
Why are immigrants called migrants? ›
A migrant is someone who is moving from place to place (within his or her country or across borders), usually for economic reasons such as seasonal work. Similar to immigrants, they were not forced to leave their native countries because of persecution or violence, but rather are seeking better opportunities.
Are migrant workers immigrants? ›
A migrant worker is a person who migrates within a home country or outside it to pursue work. Migrant workers usually do not have an intention to stay permanently in the country or region in which they work. Migrant workers who work outside their home country are also called foreign workers.
What are the three 3 types of migrants? ›
Global Migration - Key takeaways
The 3 types of migrants are asylum seekers, economic migrants and refugees. Migration can happen for several reasons, including war and conflict, environmental displacement, employment, studies or the 'just because' factor.
What is the difference between immigrant and non migrant? ›
Immigrant visas are issued to foreign nationals who intend to live permanently in the United States. Nonimmigrant visas are for foreign nationals wishing to enter the United States on a temporary basis - for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work, study, or other similar reasons.
What is the difference between immigration and emigration with examples? ›
Immigration can be said as in-migration which means a person who has moved to a separate country. Emigration is moving out of one's own country and settling there permanently. People from under developed countries when coming to a developed country they became immigrants and their standards of living.
