What term describes a person who resides outside their country of citizenship for an extended period?

The term "expatriate" refers specifically to an individual who lives outside their country of citizenship for a significant period, often due to work assignments, studies, or personal reasons. Expatriates may hold different citizenship but retain ties to their home country, and they can range from corporate employees sent abroad to individuals moving for lifestyle choices. This term encompasses the experience of living in a foreign country while still having cultural, familial, or economic connections to their home nation, making it distinct and precise in international contexts.

The other terms relate to specific roles or situations in business and do not encompass the broader concept of residency outside one's country. A licensee refers to a person or entity authorized to use certain rights or intellectual properties from another party, while a franchisee is an individual or entity that operates a business using the branding and operational model of a franchisor. A foreign employee generally refers to someone working in a country other than their own but does not necessarily imply long-term residency or citizenship status, distinguishing it further from the notion of expatriation.