Expats and refugees are both groups who leave their home country to build a new life in another country, either temporarily or permanently. Yet, they are often viewed differently in society, observes colleague Batsheba White.

In part 1 of this blog post, we'll compare the differences and similarities between expats and refugees. To do this, it's important to first consider the meaning of both terms.

 Definitions

 The term expat has no universal or legal definition. In Dutch regulations, primarily related to taxation, it often refers to a (highly educated) employee temporarily residing in the Netherlands, originating from outside the border region, and posted by or for a foreign employer. The Van Dale dictionary defines expat more broadly, namely: someone who temporarily lives abroad for work. This broader definition will be used in this article.

 The term "refugee ," on the other hand, does have an internationally recognized legal meaning. According to the United Nations Convention on the Relation of Refugees (1951), a refugee is someone who has a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular social group, and who does not enjoy protection from their country of origin.

 The main differences

 Although both groups move across national borders, there are clear differences on several points, namely: reason for departure, position upon arrival in the Netherlands, legal status, possibility of returning to country of origin and the role of employer/government.

• Reason for departure: Expats leave their countries voluntarily, usually for work or a better lifestyle. Refugees leave their countries because they are unsafe, for example, due to war, persecution, violence, or oppression. Refugees have no choice but to leave their countries in search of protection.
  
  
• Arrival in the Netherlands: Expats usually have a job, housing, and income arranged in advance through an employer. Through their work, they build a social and professional network relatively quickly. For refugees, the (lengthy) asylum procedure begins upon arrival. They often begin a lengthy asylum process with little to no resources. The government is responsible for their reception. They live among other refugees in an asylum seekers' center.
  
  
• Legal Status: Expats reside on the basis of a visa or residence permit for work purposes. They are allowed to work immediately. Refugees must go through an asylum procedure to obtain residency. They are only allowed to start paid work six months after the start of their procedure.
  
  
• Return country of origin: Expats are, in principle, free to return to their country of origin. For refugees, return is often not an option due to the ongoing danger.
  
  
• Role of employer/government: Expats often receive support from their employers with practical matters such as housing and administration. They are generally not expected to learn Dutch. Refugees are dependent on government agencies and social organizations. After receiving a residence permit, they are required to participate in the integration process, including language and participation courses. Housing is allocated by the government, with no choice of location.