Awad Balaish Mar 21, 2013:

Richard Vranch, it is ok, based on what you have provided and so in my opinion دفتر الأغتراب is equivalent to “residence permit” or “permit of residence” as used in Saudi Arabia and Arab Gulf States which either a small book or a card. What I really mean is that we have to drop (leave out) the terms: emigrate, immigrate and expatriate from the name of the document. In the A Gulf States they call it Iqama which means Residence in English.

Richard Vranch Mar 21, 2013:

Expatriate Awadh. The term expatriate or expat refers to a person who, either out of choice or for some other reason, no longer lives in their home country. I myself am a a British expat in Spain. But the term "expatriate" focuses on the fact the person no longer lives in their home country. Similarly the juxtaposition between "emigrate" leave your own country and "immigrate", to enter another one. With "expatriate" the focus is on emigrate rather than immigrate. In arabic, immigrate and emigrate translate to: هاجر
And expatriate doesn't necessarily have a connotation regarding the legal status of the subject in question; an expat can be in the second country illegally. المهاجر is immigrant.

Awad Balaish Mar 21, 2013:

Richard Vranch, I do not think so, "expatriate'' is a noun for a person who has a permit of residency, here is a document given from passport and immigration authority whatsoever it is called in Arabic. Regardless of the person subject of the question, whether he is immigrant or resident. وثيقة اغتراب

Richard Vranch Mar 21, 2013:

expat I think "expatriate" may be more appropriate as an alternative to "exile" as exile has a negative connotation as to the reason for the emigration; "alienation" too sounds strange.

I would suggest: Expatriate Certificate/Expatriate's Book