resident alien: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Legal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “resident alien” mean?
A person who is legally living in a country of which they are not a citizen.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is legally living in a country of which they are not a citizen.
A legal status for a non-citizen who permanently resides in a country, granting certain rights and obligations distinct from those of citizens and short-term visitors. The term can also be used metaphorically or in fiction (e.g., sci-fi) to denote an alien being living among humans.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is not standard in UK legal or immigration terminology. The UK uses terms like 'indefinite leave to remain' (ILR) or 'settled status' for the concept of permanent residency. 'Resident alien' is almost exclusively an American legal concept.
Connotations
In US context: neutral, bureaucratic, precise legal status. In UK context: unfamiliar, likely interpreted as an Americanism or a literal alien being.
Frequency
High frequency in US legal/immigration contexts; virtually zero frequency in everyday UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “resident alien” in a Sentence
[Resident alien] + of + [country][Resident alien] + in + [country]be + classified/considered + as + a + [resident alien]apply for + [resident alien] + statusVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resident alien” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Not applicable as a verb in UK usage.
American English
- Not applicable as a verb in US usage.
adverb
British English
- Not applicable.
American English
- Not applicable.
adjective
British English
- Not typically used adjectivally in UK English.
American English
- She has a resident alien status.
- He filed a resident alien tax return.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in HR and tax contexts for compliance and reporting obligations for foreign employees (e.g., 'We need to process the tax forms for our resident alien employees.').
Academic
Used in legal, political science, and sociology papers discussing immigration policy, rights, and integration.
Everyday
Rare. Primarily used by individuals navigating the US immigration system or discussing their own status.
Technical
Core term in US immigration law and tax law, with specific definitions (e.g., IRS definitions for tax purposes).
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “resident alien”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “resident alien”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resident alien”
- Using it to describe temporary visitors or tourists.
- Confusing it with 'citizen'.
- Using 'resident alien' in non-US contexts where it is not legally defined.
- Capitalising it incorrectly; it is not a proper noun unless starting a sentence.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In the US context, yes, for the most part. 'Legal Permanent Resident' (LPR) and 'resident alien' are often used interchangeably in law, with 'LPR' being slightly more specific to immigration status, while 'resident alien' is also used in tax law.
In the United States, no. Voting in federal elections is a right reserved for US citizens. Resident aliens cannot vote, though they may have other rights like working and owning property.
In US legal terms, the opposite is a 'non-resident alien' – a person who is not a citizen and does not meet the criteria for permanent residency or substantial physical presence in the country.
No. The term is specific to the United States legal system. In the UK, you would refer to someone with 'indefinite leave to remain' or 'settled status'. In Australia, the term 'permanent resident' is used.
A person who is legally living in a country of which they are not a citizen.
Resident alien is usually formal, legal, technical in register.
Resident alien: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrɛzɪdənt ˈeɪliən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈrɛzədənt ˈeɪliən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly; the term is itself a fixed legal phrase.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a friendly ALIEN from space who has taken up permanent RESIDENCE in your neighbourhood. They live there legally but are not an Earth citizen.
Conceptual Metaphor
LEGAL STATUS IS A CATEGORY / BELONGING IS A CONTAINER (being inside the country's legal system but not in the innermost 'citizen' circle).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'resident alien' most precisely and commonly used?