Migrate vs. Emigrate — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 6, 2024
Migrate refers to the general act of moving from one place to another, which can be temporary or seasonal; emigrate specifically means to leave one's country to live in another permanently.
Difference Between Migrate and Emigrate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Migrate" is used broadly to describe moving from one location to another, not limited to international moves and can include seasonal or internal relocations, such as birds migrating south for the winter. Whereas "emigrate" is specifically used when someone permanently leaves their country of origin to settle in another country.
In the context of human movement, people migrate for various reasons, including economic opportunities, climate, or personal reasons, and it doesn't necessarily imply permanence. On the other hand, to emigrate suggests a deliberate decision to leave one's home country for a new homeland, typically for permanent residency.
Migration can occur within the same country, known as internal migration, such as moving from rural areas to cities for better job prospects. Conversely, emigration always involves crossing national boundaries with the intent of settling abroad.
Wildlife and seasonal migration are common in the animal kingdom, where species move between habitats to exploit seasonal resources or to breed, which is inherently temporary. In contrast, emigration in the context of human movement involves settling and integrating into a different societal and cultural environment.
The terms also differ in their bureaucratic and legal implications: migration can require different forms of documentation based on the purpose and duration of the stay, whereas emigration typically involves more complex legal processes, including visas, permanent residency applications, and potentially, naturalization.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Move from one place to another
Leave one’s country to live in another
Permanence
Can be temporary or permanent
Usually permanent
Scope
Internal or international
Always international
Purpose
Varied (economic, environmental, etc.)
Permanent relocation
Documentation
Depends on the nature and duration of the move
Involves immigration processes
Compare with Definitions
Migrate
To move from one region or habitat to another.
Many birds migrate south for the winter.
Emigrate
To leave one's own country to settle permanently in another.
She emigrated from Ireland to the United States.
Migrate
General movement between areas.
The family decided to migrate to a warmer state.
Emigrate
Leaving the homeland with the intent to settle elsewhere.
They emigrated to Canada for better career opportunities.
Migrate
Internal movement within a country or region.
The rural population tends to migrate towards big cities.
Emigrate
The act of permanently moving out of a country.
Many people emigrated during the political turmoil.
Migrate
Seasonal or cyclic movement in animals.
Whales migrate thousands of miles to breed and give birth.
Emigrate
Specific to international relocation with permanence.
Emigrating requires thorough planning and legal procedures.
Migrate
To relocate temporarily for reasons such as climate or employment.
Workers migrate to urban areas during the harvest season.
Emigrate
Involves a permanent shift in residence and nationality.
After emigrating, he eventually became a citizen of his new country.
Migrate
To move from one country or region and settle in another.
Emigrate
To leave one country or region to settle in another. See Usage Note at migrate.
Migrate
To change location periodically, especially by moving seasonally from one region to another.
Emigrate
(intransitive) To leave the country in which one lives, especially one's native country, in order to reside elsewhere.
Migrate
(Computers) To be moved from one system to another
Migrated to an updated version of the platform.
Emigrate
To remove from one country or State to another, for the purpose of residence; to migrate from home.
Forced to emigrate in a body to America.
They [the Huns] were emigrating from Tartary into Europe in the time of the Goths.
Migrate
To move (something) from one system to another
Migrated specific applications to a selected server.
Emigrate
Migratory; roving.
Migrate
(intransitive) To relocate periodically from one region to another, usually according to the seasons.
Twice a year the geese migrate — from Florida to Canada and back again.
Twice a year the Minnesotans migrate from their state to the Gulf of Mexico.
Emigrate
Leave one's country of residence for a new one;
Many people had to emigrate during the Nazi period
Migrate
(intransitive) To change one's geographic pattern of habitation.
Many groups had migrated to western Europe from the plains of eastern Europe.
Migrate
(intransitive) To change habitations across a border; to move from one country or political region to another.
To escape persecution, they migrated to a neutral country.
Migrate
(intransitive) To move slowly towards, usually in groups.
Once the hosts started bickering in the kitchens, the guests began to migrate towards the living room.
Migrate
: To move computer code or files from one computer or network to another.
They had finished migrating all of the affected code to the production server by 2:00am, three hours later than expected.
Migrate
To induce customers to shift purchases from one set of a company's related products to another.
We were hoping to migrate the customers of the "C" series to the "E" series and the "E" customers to the "S" series.
Migrate
To remove from one country or region to another, with a view to residence; to change one's place of residence; to remove; as, the Moors who migrated from Africa into Spain; to migrate to the West.
Migrate
To pass periodically from one region or climate to another for feeding or breeding; - said of certain birds, fishes, and quadrupeds.
Migrate
Move from one country or region to another and settle there;
Many Germans migrated to South America in the mid-19th century
This tribe transmigrated many times over the centuries
Migrate
Move periodically or seasonally;
Birds migrate in the Winter
The worker migrate to where the crops need harvesting
Common Curiosities
Are there different types of migration?
Yes, including internal, international, seasonal, and permanent migrations.
Why do people emigrate?
For various reasons including economic opportunities, political stability, or family reunification.
What is the main difference between migrate and emigrate?
Migrate refers to moving generally, while emigrate specifically means moving permanently out of one’s country.
Can migration be temporary?
Yes, migration can be either temporary or permanent depending on the context.
What does it mean to emigrate?
To leave one's country to live permanently in another.
How does internal migration differ from emigration?
Internal migration happens within a country, whereas emigration involves leaving one's country permanently.
What legal processes are involved in emigration?
Processes can include obtaining visas, permanent residency, and possibly citizenship.
What drives seasonal migration in animals?
Seasonal migration is often driven by the search for food, better weather, or breeding grounds.
Can animals emigrate?
The term is not typically used for animals; they migrate, often seasonally.
Is emigration reversible?
While one can move back to their original country, emigration itself implies a permanent relocation.
How do governments track migration?
Through censuses, surveys, and tracking of visas and other residency documents.
What is a significant effect of emigration on the destination country?
It can lead to cultural diversification and changes in the labor market.
What could be a reason for temporary migration?
Seasonal work or climate changes are common reasons for temporary migration.
What documentation is needed to emigrate?
Typically requires visas and other immigration-related documents to settle in a new country.
What impact does migration have on the origin location?
It can lead to demographic changes, such as reduced population densities or altered age distributions.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
