What qualifies you as an expat? March 2, 2023 by purainformaci If you are an American citizen and move to another country and plan to stay there, you have become an expat. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/expatriate.asp#:~:text=If%20you%20are%20an%20American,you%20have%20become%20an%20expat.