Legal Definitions - foreigner

A "foreigner" refers to an individual who is not a citizen or national of the specific country where they are currently located or being discussed. In a legal context, this distinction is crucial for determining rights, obligations, and legal status, particularly concerning immigration, residency, and international law. Historically, the term could also refer to someone from outside a particular city or region, even within the same country.

• Example 1: International Travel

  Imagine Ms. Chen, a Canadian citizen, traveling to the United States for a two-week vacation. While she is physically present within the U.S. borders, she retains her Canadian citizenship.

  This illustrates the term because, from the perspective of U.S. law, Ms. Chen is a foreigner. She is not a citizen of the United States, and her legal status as a visitor is determined by her foreign nationality.

• Example 2: Diplomatic Assignment

  Consider Mr. Schmidt, a German diplomat, who is assigned to work at the German embassy in Japan for several years. He lives in Tokyo with his family during his posting.

  In this scenario, Mr. Schmidt is a foreigner under Japanese law. Despite residing and working in Japan, he remains a citizen of Germany. His diplomatic status grants him certain privileges, but his underlying nationality means he is not a citizen of Japan.

• Example 3: International Business Residency

  Suppose Mr. Davies, a British entrepreneur, moves to France to establish a new technology company. He lives there for five years, pays taxes, and contributes to the local economy, but he has not applied for French citizenship.

  Mr. Davies is considered a foreigner in France. Even with his long-term residency and business activities, he remains a citizen of the United Kingdom. His status as a foreigner impacts various legal aspects, such as his eligibility for certain public services, voting rights, and the process for obtaining permanent residency or citizenship.