An expat, short for expatriate, is a person who lives and works outside their country of origin or citizenship, typically for an extended period. The term is used broadly across individual lifestyle choices, corporate assignments, and government postings, and it covers a wide range of living situations: from a finance professional on a two-year assignment in Singapore, to a designer who has built a freelance career in Lisbon, to a family who moved to Canada for quality of life.

This guide covers what the expat experience typically involves, the different paths that lead to living abroad, and the practical dimensions of international life that most people want to understand before they go. Read our guide: The complete guide to international employee relocation.

Types of expat: the four main categories

Not all expats arrive abroad in the same way or for the same reasons. Understanding the type of expat you are, or plan to be, matters because it shapes the immigration route, the support available, and the practical experience of living abroad.

• Corporate assignees: Employees sent abroad by their employer for a defined period. The employer sponsors the work visa, manages the relocation logistics through a relocation management company, and typically provides a relocation policy covering accommodation, household goods shipping, school search for children, and tax support. This is the most structured form of international relocation and generally provides the most comprehensive practical support.
• Self-initiated expats: Individuals who choose to move abroad independently, find their own employment or self-employment in the destination country, and manage the immigration and relocation process themselves. The range of practical support available is whatever the individual organises, and the immigration route depends entirely on the destination country’s rules for independent foreign workers.
• Digital nomads: A growing category of location-independent workers who work remotely for employers or clients in other countries while living in a country of their choosing. Many countries have introduced specific digital nomad visa categories in recent years to accommodate this pattern of living. Tax obligations for digital nomads are particularly complex and require specialist advice.
• Retirement expats: Individuals who move abroad after or during their retirement years, drawn by lower cost of living, climate, healthcare access, or lifestyle. Many countries offer specific retirement or passive income visas for this category. The immigration routes, financial planning considerations, and daily life priorities for retirement expats are distinct from those of working expats.

How corporate expat assignments work

For employees relocating through an employer, the process is coordinated by the organisation rather than managed independently. Understanding how the process works helps assignees engage with it more effectively.

The employer sets the mobility policy, which defines what the relocation policy covers and what the employee is expected to manage themselves. The relocation management company (RMC) coordinates the practical process: visa and immigration, household goods shipping, temporary accommodation, school search, and settling-in support. Specialist providers manage their respective areas: an immigration lawyer handles the visa application, a tax adviser manages the employee’s tax position in both home and host country, a household goods provider coordinates the shipment of personal possessions, and a destination services provider supports practical settling-in activities on arrival.

Where an employer uses MOVEPLUS™ platform to manage the programme, the employee can access their move status, document milestones, and key dates through the platform, giving visibility of what has been arranged and what is still in progress.

For a full breakdown of how relocation policies are structured, see our guide on understanding relocation policies.

How to become an expat independently

For individuals pursuing an international move outside a corporate structure, the path begins with three decisions: where to go, what immigration route is available, and how to sustain income in the destination country.

• Choosing a destination: The destination should be assessed against practical factors as well as lifestyle preferences: visa availability for your nationality, the language environment, the cost of living relative to your income, healthcare access, and the practical requirements for bringing family members if relevant. Our guide on best countries for expats in 2026 covers what the top destinations offer across visa access, cost of living, and quality of life.
• Immigration route: The immigration route is the most important decision to get right before making any other commitments. An immigration lawyer advises on which visa categories are available for your specific circumstances and what the requirements, processing timelines, and compliance obligations are. Attempting to navigate this without specialist advice is a common source of costly mistakes.
• Income and employment: Whether you plan to work for a local employer, continue with a remote role for a home-country company, or operate as a self-employed professional, the income arrangement affects your tax position in both countries and may affect your visa eligibility. A tax adviser should be consulted before finalising these arrangements.

What everyday life as an expat involves

The practical reality of expat life varies enormously by destination, personal circumstances, and the type of expat you are. Some aspects are consistent across most international moves.

• Setting up in a new country: The first weeks in a new country typically involve a concentrated period of administrative setup: registering with local authorities, opening a bank account, arranging healthcare, setting up utilities, and orienting to the local neighbourhood. For corporate assignees, the destination services provider coordinates much of this. For self-initiated movers, it requires independent research and management. Our expat checklist covers everything to organise before and after the move in a structured, phase-by-phase format.
• Language and culture: Operating in a country with a different primary language is a significant practical adjustment. Even in English-speaking destinations, different communication norms, professional expectations, and social conventions require adaptation. Language learning, even at a basic level, is consistently reported by expats as one of the most valuable investments in the quality of their life abroad.
• Building a social network: The absence of an established social network is one of the most consistently underestimated challenges of living abroad. Building connections takes time and deliberate effort. Expat community groups, professional associations, language classes, and employer networks are all practical routes into social connection in a new country.
• Healthcare: Healthcare access varies significantly by destination. In some countries, foreign nationals contribute to the national health system through tax or social insurance contributions and receive access to public healthcare. In others, international health insurance is essential and public services are not accessible to foreign nationals. Understanding the healthcare system in the destination country before arrival is important.
• Family life abroad: For expats relocating with children, school placement is one of the most practically significant early decisions. International schools offer curriculum continuity for families who may return home at the end of an assignment. Local schools offer deeper cultural and language integration but require a higher level of initial adjustment for the child. Housing choice is typically shaped in part by school location. For a full breakdown of how this works, see our guide on what happens to your dependent’s visa when you relocate for work.

Finances and tax as an expat

The financial dimension of living abroad is more complex than many people anticipate, particularly for the tax position.

• Tax residency: Tax residency is determined by the rules of each country independently. It is possible to be considered tax resident in two countries simultaneously, which without a bilateral tax treaty in place can lead to double taxation on the same income. A tax adviser should be consulted before the move to understand the position in both the home and host country. For a detailed guide on how expatriate tax compliance works for employers and employees, see our expatriate tax compliance guide.
• Home country tax obligations: Some nationalities are taxed by their home country on worldwide income regardless of where they live. US citizens, for example, are required to file US tax returns wherever they reside and may have filing obligations even if no tax is ultimately due. The rules vary significantly by nationality and should be confirmed with a tax adviser. For a plain-language overview of what expats are typically required to pay, see our guide on Expat tax: what it is and what you are likely to pay.
• Banking: Maintaining a home-country bank account while abroad is useful but some banks restrict account access or close accounts held by non-residents. Setting up a local bank account in the host country is typically one of the first practical steps on arrival. International banking services are also available for people who move frequently.
• Expat insurance: Standard home-country insurance policies frequently do not extend to provide coverage abroad. International health insurance, contents insurance, and personal liability coverage should be reviewed and put in place before departure. For a detailed guide on. see our What is expat insurance and do you need it
• Cost of living adjustment: The cost of living in the destination city may be substantially higher or lower than at home. Housing, healthcare, education, and everyday expenses should all be factored into financial planning before the move. 

Common challenges expats face and how to navigate them

Understanding the most common challenges before they arise helps both in managing expectations and in putting the right support in place.

• Isolation and loneliness: One of the most widely reported challenges of the early expat period. The solution is proactive: joining communities, attending events, accepting invitations, and giving social connection the same priority as work and logistics. For a deeper look at the mental health dimension of international assignments and what organisations should be providing, see our guide on Expat mental health during international assignments.
• Cultural adjustment: The sustained effort of navigating different cultural norms is cognitively demanding. Cultural training before departure and language learning in the early weeks make a measurable difference to how quickly this adjustment becomes manageable.
• Family adjustment: Partners and children may adjust at different rates and face different challenges. Acknowledging the difficulty and accessing support early, rather than expecting adjustment to happen automatically over time, is the approach most consistently associated with positive outcomes.
• Career continuity: For self-initiated expats, maintaining career momentum in a new market requires deliberate effort: building local networks, understanding how qualifications are recognised, and navigating application processes that may differ from those at home. For corporate assignees, career planning with the home organisation before and during the assignment protects against the risk of returning to a diminished role.
• Reverse culture shock: The challenge of returning home after an extended period abroad is a genuine and documented phenomenon. The home environment has changed, and the expat has changed too. Acknowledging this in advance, and having support in place for the return period, reduces the acute phase of reintegration. 

How long do expats typically stay abroad

Assignment lengths and expat tenures vary enormously. Corporate assignments are typically structured as short-term (under 12 months), long-term (one to three years), or permanent transfers. Self-initiated expats may move with a specific duration in mind or with an open-ended intention. For a comprehensive overview of how long-term assignments are structured and managed, see our guide on everything you need to know about long-term assignments.

Data shows that long-term assignment durations have been broadly stable over recent years, with one to three years remaining the most common range for corporate assignments. What has changed is the growth in short-term assignments and extended business travel as organisations seek more flexible approaches to international talent deployment.

For self-initiated expats, the decision to extend a stay or return home is shaped by factors including career development, family circumstances, visa renewal terms, and personal attachment to the destination. Many people who move abroad for a defined period choose to stay longer than originally intended.

For HR and mobility teams managing corporate assignees, MovePlus coordinates every element of the relocation process through our relocation service coordination offering from destination services and cultural training to settling-in support. Get in touch to find out how MovePlus can support your assignee population.

Frequently asked questions

1. Do expats pay taxes in their home country?

It depends on the nationality and the country’s tax laws. Some countries, most notably the United States, tax their citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Others only tax residents. The rules differ by country and by the terms of any bilateral tax treaty in place. A tax adviser should be consulted before the move to understand the obligations in both the home and host country.

2. What visa does an expat need to work abroad?

The visa category depends on the destination country, the nationality of the individual, and the nature of the work. For corporate assignees, the employer’s immigration lawyer manages the application for the appropriate work permit. For self-initiated movers, an immigration lawyer can advise on the available routes. The visa should be confirmed before travelling, as working without the appropriate authorisation is a compliance breach in almost all jurisdictions.

3. How long does it take to feel settled as an expat?

Most research on expat adjustment suggests that the acute settling-in period lasts between three and six months, with a more gradual adjustment continuing beyond that point. The pace of adjustment is affected by language proficiency, cultural distance, family circumstances, and the quality of practical support in the first weeks. Proactive social connection and language learning consistently shorten the adjustment timeline.

4. What is a relocation policy and do all expats get one?

A relocation policy is a set of benefits provided by an employer to cover the costs and logistics of an international move. It typically includes visa support, household goods shipping, temporary accommodation, school search, and tax advisory services. Not all expats receive one: it is available to employees on corporate assignments where the employer funds the move. Self-initiated expats manage and fund their own relocation independently.

5. What is an expat community?

An expat community is a network of foreign nationals living in the same destination country or city. These communities form organically around professional associations, social groups, international schools, and online networks. They provide a source of practical advice, social connection, and mutual support during the adjustment period. Most major international cities have active expat communities across multiple nationalities and professional backgrounds.

6. Can expats bring their family with them?

Yes, in most cases. Family members accompanying a corporate assignee typically apply for dependent visas, which are processed by the immigration lawyer alongside the primary work permit. For self-initiated movers, dependent visa eligibility depends on the immigration rules of the destination country. Work rights for an accompanying partner on a dependent visa vary by jurisdiction and should be confirmed before the move is finalised.