Understanding the difference between immigration and emigration can be tricky. While you may be already aware that both terms have something to do with moving between countries, that one little letter at the start can lead to confusion. Would you be surprised to learn it’s all based on perspective? In short, emigration focuses on leaving a country, while immigration refers to entering a new one.
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What Does Emigration Mean?
Emigration is a noun that refers to leaving one’s home country to live in another. Individuals who emigrate (move away from their country) are called emigrants. They often move out of their own country because they want a better quality of life (high wages, social benefits, and so on).
If you are forced to leave your country due to political reasons or persecution, you are called a refugee.
Examples
- The museum has an exhibit dedicated to the mass emigration during the Irish Potato Famine.
- My grandparents’ emigration from Spain to America took place in 1817.
- The emigration of young professionals has essentially created a country of elderly workers with no successors.
- I refuse to believe that the increasing emigration rate in the country has negative effects.
- There is an increase in emigration because of high unemployment rates and a heavily saturated job market in the Philippines.
- While I love my homeland, emigration will allow me to get the degree I always dreamed of.
When and How to Use Emigration?
Use “emigration” when talking about the country you or someone else left. To remember this, you can think of the first letter “e” like “exit.” You are exiting one place to go to another. You can also use this when referring to many people leaving their native country but going to multiple other places. For example, “The emigration of refugees from conflict zones has increased in recent years.
What Does Immigration Mean?
The word immigration, also a noun, refers to the act of entering and settling in a foreign country. Once you are in the destination country, you are called an immigrant (because you moved into a different country). If you intend to live permanently in the new country, you’ll have to obtain an immigrant visa.
You might also hear people use the word “migrants” or “migrant workers.” These are individuals who have no plans to settle permanently in the new country, or they return to their native country until they obtain permanent residency in the new country.
Examples
- My country’s immigration laws only allow a certain number of people yearly.
- Immigration has shaped our nation’s diversity.
- The process of immigration can be lengthy and expensive.
- Many cities have established programs to assist with immigration and integration of newcomers.
- The debate over immigration policies is a hot-button political issue.
- I feel like my immigration to America is officially complete as I wave the flag at my citizenship ceremony!
When and How to Use Immigration?
Use immigration when referring to yourself or others coming into a country to stay permanently. In fact, we can use the same trick that we used for emigration. Think of the “i” in immigration for “into.”
What’s the Difference?
Emigration is leaving a country, while immigration is entering a new one. If you are talking about leaving your homeland, use emigration. When settling into your new country, use immigration.
Trick to Remembering the Difference
The difference between the two words can be difficult to keep in mind, especially when you don’t use them as much in verbal or written communication. So, here are some helpful tricks:
- The “e” in emigration is for exit.
- The “i” in immigration is for into.
- Emigration is departure.
- Immigration is arrival.
Tip: You have to emigrate (leave the country) first to immigrate (settle in a new country).
Final Thoughts
The difference between immigration and emigration all comes down to where you are leaving and where you are going. Remember, emigration involves leaving one’s home country, while immigration refers to entering and settling in a new nation.
