Legal Definition of Foreigner

In the legal domain, the term “foreigner” refers to any person residing in a country without holding its nationality. This status can result from various situations, such as possessing another nationality or being stateless. A foreigner is not necessarily an immigrant, as they can be born in the host country, like the children of two foreigners who have been living in a country for years.

The status of a foreigner is not definitive as it can change depending on the goals and actions taken by the individual. They can obtain the nationality of the country of residence through naturalization, thereby acquiring the rights and obligations of a citizen. Similarly, international agreements can grant certain rights to foreigners with regular status. Depending on their situation, a foreigner can be a tourist, a legal worker, an immigrant, an undocumented person, a refugee, or an asylum seeker.

Generally, foreigners do not have the right to vote in their host country. Depending on the immigration and integration policies of the host country, this rule is not universal and can vary from one country to another. Under certain conditions, some European countries grant the right to vote to foreigners. In Spain and Portugal, a foreigner can participate in elections subject to reciprocity. Belgium, Denmark, Sweden, and Luxembourg offer the right to vote to foreigners who have resided in their territory for several years.

Etymology of Foreigner

The term “foreigner” comes from the Latin word “foris” meaning “outside” or “beyond” and “genus” which denotes “birth” or “origin.” Combined, it originally referred to someone from outside one’s community or territory. Over time, it evolved to describe individuals from another country or nationality, highlighting their status as outsiders within a particular context or society.