A person who is not a citizen of the country in which they are residing. Noncitizens can include permanent residents, temporary residents, refugees, and undocumented immigrants. The rights and obligations of noncitizens vary based on their immigration status and the laws of the host country. Noncitizens may be subject to immigration controls and lack certain political rights, such as voting.
Etymology:
The term “noncitizen” combines “non,” meaning “not,” with “citizen,” derived from the Latin “civitas,” meaning “city” or “state,” indicating a person who does not hold citizenship status.