WHAT IS 'EXPAT OR LOCAL' STATUS AND HOW DO I SET IT?
Laetitia G
Last Update vor 7 Monaten
The "Expat or Local" field is a key profile setting that defines your relationship to your current location and helps you connect with the right community members.
1. What is Expat or Local status?
Understanding this field:
DEFINITION
• Indicates whether you're living in your home country (Local) or abroad (Expat)
• Based on your nationality vs current location
• Key identifier for community matching
TWO OPTIONS:
• EXPAT – Living in a country different from your nationality/citizenship
• LOCAL – Native or permanent resident of the country where you currently live
PURPOSE
• Search filters – People can find expats or locals specifically
• Community matching – Connect with people in similar situations
• Cultural context – Helps others understand your perspective
• No feature restrictions – Both statuses have equal platform access
This simple field has big impact on your connections.
2. What qualifies as an Expat?
When to select Expat:
YOU ARE AN EXPAT IF:
• Your nationality/citizenship is different from your current country of residence
• You moved abroad for work, study, retirement, love, adventure, or any reason
• You're on a temporary or long-term visa (not a citizen)
• You're a digital nomad or long-term traveler
• You hold a residence permit but not citizenship
EXAMPLES:
• American living in Thailand = Expat
• French person working in Dubai = Expat
• British retiree in Spain = Expat
• Canadian student in Australia = Expat
• German digital nomad in Bali = Expat
DURATION DOESN'T MATTER:
• Been there 2 months or 20 years – still expat if not a citizen
• Some people are permanent expats (never naturalize)
3. What qualifies as a Local?
When to select Local:
YOU ARE A LOCAL IF:
• You're a citizen/national of the country where you currently live
• You were born and raised in your current country
• You naturalized (became a citizen) in your current country
• You're a permanent resident who considers yourself local
• You're a returning national (grew up abroad but returned to citizenship country)
EXAMPLES:
• Thai national living in Bangkok = Local
• American living in New York = Local
• French person who naturalized in Canada, living in Montreal = Local (now Canadian citizen)
• Spanish person born in Madrid, living in Barcelona = Local
• Australian who grew up overseas, returned to Australia = Could choose Local
IF YOU HAVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP:
• If you live in one of your citizenship countries = Local
• French-American living in France = Local
• French-American living in USA = Local
• French-American living in Thailand = Expat
4. How to set your Expat or Local status
Step-by-step:
STEP 1 – Log in at https://www.pickeenoo.com/cb-login
STEP 2 – Go to "Edit Profile" or "My Account"
STEP 3 – Find "Expat or Local" field (usually under Community Profile or Basic Information)
STEP 4 – You'll see:
- Radio buttons or dropdown
- Two options: Expat / Local
- Sometimes includes brief explanation
STEP 5 – Select the option that matches your situation
STEP 6 – Save your profile changes
STEP 7 – Your status appears on your profile and in search results
This field is typically required and cannot be left blank.
5. Why this field matters for search and matching
Impact on visibility:
SEARCH FILTERS
• Members can search "Expats in Bangkok" or "Locals in Bangkok"
• Your status determines which searches you appear in
• Common searches: "French expats in Chiang Mai", "Thai locals who speak English"
COMMUNITY MATCHING
• Expats want to connect with other expats (shared experiences)
• Expats want to connect with locals (cultural guidance, integration help)
• Locals want to connect with expats (cultural exchange, language practice, business)
EXAMPLE SCENARIOS:
• New expat searches "Locals in my city who can help" → You appear if you're a local
• Established expat searches "Fellow American expats in Dubai" → You appear if you're American expat
• Local searches "Expats interested in language exchange" → Expats appear
6. Benefits of selecting Expat status
Why identifying as expat is valuable:
FIND FELLOW EXPATS
• Connect with people experiencing similar challenges
• Share visa advice, housing tips, cultural adjustment strategies
• Build friendships with people who understand expat life
• Country-specific expat communities (French expats, American expats, etc.)
EXPAT-SPECIFIC HELP
• Access resources designed for expats
• Find expat-friendly services (doctors, lawyers, accountants who speak your language)
• Join expat events and activities
• Get advice from experienced expats
CULTURAL CONNECTION
• Connect with compatriots in your host country
• Celebrate holidays and traditions from home
• Share news and culture from your home country
• Combat homesickness through community
NO LIMITATIONS
• Expats have full access to all platform features
• No restrictions on marketplace, social profile, or services
7. Benefits of selecting Local status
Why identifying as local is valuable:
HELP EXPATS
• Position yourself as someone who can provide local knowledge
• Attract expats seeking cultural guidance and practical help
• Become known as a helpful local in the community
• Opportunities to guide newcomers
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
• Expats often need local services (real estate, legal, translation, etc.)
• Service providers benefit from being identified as locals with insider knowledge
• Connect with international business community
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
• Meet people from around the world in your home city
• Practice foreign languages
• Learn about different cultures without traveling
• Make international friends
WELCOMING COMMUNITY
• Many locals enjoy being part of the international community
• Pride in sharing your city/country with newcomers
• Meaningful connections through helping others
8. Special cases and gray areas
Tricky situations:
DUAL CITIZENSHIP LIVING IN THIRD COUNTRY
• French-Canadian living in Thailand
• Choose: Expat (you're not Thai)
• Your dual citizenship doesn't make you local in Thailand
NATURALIZED RECENTLY
• Brazilian who just got Thai citizenship
• Choose: Local (you're now a Thai citizen)
• Though you might still relate to expat experience
LONG-TERM EXPAT (10+ years)
• British in Spain for 15 years, permanent residence but not citizen
• Choose: Expat (not a Spanish citizen)
• Some platforms might have "Long-term Expat" as a third option
RETURNING NATIONAL
• Thai born in Thailand, lived in USA 20 years, returned to Thailand
• Choose: Local (you're Thai in Thailand)
• Or Expat if you feel more foreign than local
THIRD CULTURE KIDS
• Grew up moving between countries, unclear "home"
• Choose based on citizenship vs current location
• If citizenship = current country → Local
• If citizenship ≠ current country → Expat
When unsure, use the simple rule: Citizenship = Current Country? → Local. Otherwise → Expat.
9. Can you change your status later?
Yes, it's updatable:
CHANGE WHEN:
• You naturalize (become citizen of host country) – Expat → Local
• You move to a different country – Status might change depending on new location
• You return to your home country – Expat → Local
HOW TO CHANGE:
• Go to profile editor
• Update "Expat or Local" field
• Save changes
• Status updates immediately
MOVING BETWEEN COUNTRIES:
• French expat in Thailand moves to Japan
• Status stays "Expat" (still not in France)
• But update location from Thailand to Japan
• French expat in Thailand returns to France
• Status changes to "Local" (now in citizenship country)
10. How locals can optimize their profile for expats
Attracting international connections:
LANGUAGE SKILLS
• List languages you speak, especially English and common expat languages
• "Thai (Native), English (Fluent)"
"I CAN HELP WITH"
• Select categories expats typically need: Housing, Visa, Administrative, Lifestyle
• Shows you're willing to assist newcomers
BIO
• Mention you enjoy helping expats settle in
• "Bangkok native, love showing my city to newcomers. Fluent English, happy to help with housing, visas, and local culture."
INTERESTS
• Include activities popular with expats and conducive to meeting new people
• Language exchange, cultural events, social activities
SERVICES
• If you offer expat-relevant services, highlight them
• Real estate, translation, legal services, cultural tours
11. How expats can optimize their profile
Attracting helpful connections:
NATIONALITY
• Shows where you're from, helps find compatriots
"WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR"
• Select areas where you need help (especially as new expat)
• Housing, Visa, Outings, Administrative
"I CAN HELP WITH"
• Even as a new expat, you have expertise to offer
• Your professional skills, language teaching, insights from your home country
BIO
• Mention why you're in your host country, how long, what you're seeking
• "American expat in Chiang Mai for 2 years, work remotely. Love hiking and coffee culture. Looking for outdoor adventure buddies and professional networking."
EXPAT TYPE
• Mention if you're working expat, retiree, digital nomad, student
• Helps others understand your situation and availability
12. Search examples using Expat/Local filter
How people use this field:
SEARCH 1: "English-speaking locals in Bangkok"
Purpose: Find Thai locals who speak English for cultural guidance
Results: Locals with English language listed
SEARCH 2: "American expats in Dubai"
Purpose: Find fellow Americans for community connection
Results: Americans living in Dubai (expat status)
SEARCH 3: "Expats who can help with business networking"
Purpose: Find experienced expats with business connections
Results: Expats who marked "I can help with: Networking"
SEARCH 4: "Locals interested in language exchange"
Purpose: Find natives to practice local language with
Results: Locals who selected "Language Exchange" interest
SEARCH 5: "French expats in Thailand looking for housing"
Purpose: Help fellow French nationals find accommodation
Results: French expats who marked "Looking for: Housing"
13. Privacy considerations
This field is public:
VISIBILITY
• Expat or Local status is visible on your public profile
• Searchable by all members
• Cannot be hidden (it's core matching data)
WHY PUBLIC
• Essential for community matching and search
• Helps people find relevant connections
• Part of your basic community identity
NO SAFETY CONCERNS
• This information is general (not revealing exact address or sensitive details)
• Simply indicates your relationship to your location
• Safe to share in community context
14. Common mistakes to avoid
Don't make these errors:
MISTAKE 1: Selecting Local when you're actually an expat
CONSEQUENCE: Miss expat community, receive irrelevant connections, confuse people
MISTAKE 2: Selecting Expat when you're a citizen
CONSEQUENCE: Miss local community connections, appear as outsider unnecessarily
MISTAKE 3: Confusing nationality with ethnicity
CONSEQUENCE: Wrong selection (ethnically Chinese but Thai citizen in Thailand = Local, not Expat)
MISTAKE 4: Thinking expat is "better" or "worse" than local
CONSEQUENCE: Both are neutral designations; choose accurately, not aspirationally
MISTAKE 5: Never updating after naturalizing
CONSEQUENCE: Outdated status, missed opportunities in local community
MISTAKE 6: Overthinking it
CONSEQUENCE: It's simple – citizenship = location? → Local. Otherwise → Expat.
Be honest and straightforward.
15. Real-world examples
Clarifying through examples:
EXAMPLE 1: Sarah (American)
• Nationality: American
• Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Status: EXPAT
• Why: American living in Thailand (not Thai citizen)
EXAMPLE 2: Somchai (Thai)
• Nationality: Thai
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: Thai citizen living in Thailand
EXAMPLE 3: Pierre (French)
• Nationality: French
• Location: Paris, France
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: French citizen living in France
EXAMPLE 4: Maria (Brazilian)
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Status: EXPAT
• Why: Brazilian living in Portugal (not Portuguese citizen yet)
EXAMPLE 5: James (British-Australian dual citizen)
• Nationality: British and Australian
• Location: London, UK
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: British citizen living in Britain (one of his citizenship countries)
EXAMPLE 6: James moves to Thailand
• Nationality: Still British-Australian
• Location: Now Bangkok, Thailand
• Status: EXPAT
• Why: Living in Thailand (neither of his citizenship countries)
EXAMPLE 7: Linda (American who naturalized in Thailand)
• Nationality: American (birth) + Thai (naturalized)
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: Thai citizen living in Thailand
IMPORTANT: Expat or Local status is based on whether your citizenship/nationality matches your current country of residence. Expat = living abroad (citizenship ≠ location). Local = living in your citizenship country. This field helps you find relevant community connections – expats connect with other expats for shared experiences and with locals for cultural guidance. Locals connect with expats for cultural exchange and business opportunities. Select honestly based on your actual citizenship and location.
BEST PRACTICE: Use the simple rule: If your citizenship equals your current country of residence, select Local. If your citizenship is different from your current country, select Expat. If you have dual citizenship and live in one of your citizenship countries, select Local. If you have dual citizenship but live in a third country, select Expat. Update your status if you naturalize (become a citizen of your host country). Don't overthink it – this is a straightforward factual designation, not a judgment.
NEED HELP? If you're unsure whether to select Expat or Local (complex citizenship situation, recently naturalized, third culture kid, long-term expat considering yourself local, etc.), contact team@pickeenoo.com and we'll help you choose the most accurate designation for your situation.
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1. What is Expat or Local status?
Understanding this field:
DEFINITION
• Indicates whether you're living in your home country (Local) or abroad (Expat)
• Based on your nationality vs current location
• Key identifier for community matching
TWO OPTIONS:
• EXPAT – Living in a country different from your nationality/citizenship
• LOCAL – Native or permanent resident of the country where you currently live
PURPOSE
• Search filters – People can find expats or locals specifically
• Community matching – Connect with people in similar situations
• Cultural context – Helps others understand your perspective
• No feature restrictions – Both statuses have equal platform access
This simple field has big impact on your connections.
2. What qualifies as an Expat?
When to select Expat:
YOU ARE AN EXPAT IF:
• Your nationality/citizenship is different from your current country of residence
• You moved abroad for work, study, retirement, love, adventure, or any reason
• You're on a temporary or long-term visa (not a citizen)
• You're a digital nomad or long-term traveler
• You hold a residence permit but not citizenship
EXAMPLES:
• American living in Thailand = Expat
• French person working in Dubai = Expat
• British retiree in Spain = Expat
• Canadian student in Australia = Expat
• German digital nomad in Bali = Expat
DURATION DOESN'T MATTER:
• Been there 2 months or 20 years – still expat if not a citizen
• Some people are permanent expats (never naturalize)
3. What qualifies as a Local?
When to select Local:
YOU ARE A LOCAL IF:
• You're a citizen/national of the country where you currently live
• You were born and raised in your current country
• You naturalized (became a citizen) in your current country
• You're a permanent resident who considers yourself local
• You're a returning national (grew up abroad but returned to citizenship country)
EXAMPLES:
• Thai national living in Bangkok = Local
• American living in New York = Local
• French person who naturalized in Canada, living in Montreal = Local (now Canadian citizen)
• Spanish person born in Madrid, living in Barcelona = Local
• Australian who grew up overseas, returned to Australia = Could choose Local
IF YOU HAVE DUAL CITIZENSHIP:
• If you live in one of your citizenship countries = Local
• French-American living in France = Local
• French-American living in USA = Local
• French-American living in Thailand = Expat
4. How to set your Expat or Local status
Step-by-step:
STEP 1 – Log in at https://www.pickeenoo.com/cb-login
STEP 2 – Go to "Edit Profile" or "My Account"
STEP 3 – Find "Expat or Local" field (usually under Community Profile or Basic Information)
STEP 4 – You'll see:
- Radio buttons or dropdown
- Two options: Expat / Local
- Sometimes includes brief explanation
STEP 5 – Select the option that matches your situation
STEP 6 – Save your profile changes
STEP 7 – Your status appears on your profile and in search results
This field is typically required and cannot be left blank.
5. Why this field matters for search and matching
Impact on visibility:
SEARCH FILTERS
• Members can search "Expats in Bangkok" or "Locals in Bangkok"
• Your status determines which searches you appear in
• Common searches: "French expats in Chiang Mai", "Thai locals who speak English"
COMMUNITY MATCHING
• Expats want to connect with other expats (shared experiences)
• Expats want to connect with locals (cultural guidance, integration help)
• Locals want to connect with expats (cultural exchange, language practice, business)
EXAMPLE SCENARIOS:
• New expat searches "Locals in my city who can help" → You appear if you're a local
• Established expat searches "Fellow American expats in Dubai" → You appear if you're American expat
• Local searches "Expats interested in language exchange" → Expats appear
6. Benefits of selecting Expat status
Why identifying as expat is valuable:
FIND FELLOW EXPATS
• Connect with people experiencing similar challenges
• Share visa advice, housing tips, cultural adjustment strategies
• Build friendships with people who understand expat life
• Country-specific expat communities (French expats, American expats, etc.)
EXPAT-SPECIFIC HELP
• Access resources designed for expats
• Find expat-friendly services (doctors, lawyers, accountants who speak your language)
• Join expat events and activities
• Get advice from experienced expats
CULTURAL CONNECTION
• Connect with compatriots in your host country
• Celebrate holidays and traditions from home
• Share news and culture from your home country
• Combat homesickness through community
NO LIMITATIONS
• Expats have full access to all platform features
• No restrictions on marketplace, social profile, or services
7. Benefits of selecting Local status
Why identifying as local is valuable:
HELP EXPATS
• Position yourself as someone who can provide local knowledge
• Attract expats seeking cultural guidance and practical help
• Become known as a helpful local in the community
• Opportunities to guide newcomers
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
• Expats often need local services (real estate, legal, translation, etc.)
• Service providers benefit from being identified as locals with insider knowledge
• Connect with international business community
CULTURAL EXCHANGE
• Meet people from around the world in your home city
• Practice foreign languages
• Learn about different cultures without traveling
• Make international friends
WELCOMING COMMUNITY
• Many locals enjoy being part of the international community
• Pride in sharing your city/country with newcomers
• Meaningful connections through helping others
8. Special cases and gray areas
Tricky situations:
DUAL CITIZENSHIP LIVING IN THIRD COUNTRY
• French-Canadian living in Thailand
• Choose: Expat (you're not Thai)
• Your dual citizenship doesn't make you local in Thailand
NATURALIZED RECENTLY
• Brazilian who just got Thai citizenship
• Choose: Local (you're now a Thai citizen)
• Though you might still relate to expat experience
LONG-TERM EXPAT (10+ years)
• British in Spain for 15 years, permanent residence but not citizen
• Choose: Expat (not a Spanish citizen)
• Some platforms might have "Long-term Expat" as a third option
RETURNING NATIONAL
• Thai born in Thailand, lived in USA 20 years, returned to Thailand
• Choose: Local (you're Thai in Thailand)
• Or Expat if you feel more foreign than local
THIRD CULTURE KIDS
• Grew up moving between countries, unclear "home"
• Choose based on citizenship vs current location
• If citizenship = current country → Local
• If citizenship ≠ current country → Expat
When unsure, use the simple rule: Citizenship = Current Country? → Local. Otherwise → Expat.
9. Can you change your status later?
Yes, it's updatable:
CHANGE WHEN:
• You naturalize (become citizen of host country) – Expat → Local
• You move to a different country – Status might change depending on new location
• You return to your home country – Expat → Local
HOW TO CHANGE:
• Go to profile editor
• Update "Expat or Local" field
• Save changes
• Status updates immediately
MOVING BETWEEN COUNTRIES:
• French expat in Thailand moves to Japan
• Status stays "Expat" (still not in France)
• But update location from Thailand to Japan
• French expat in Thailand returns to France
• Status changes to "Local" (now in citizenship country)
10. How locals can optimize their profile for expats
Attracting international connections:
LANGUAGE SKILLS
• List languages you speak, especially English and common expat languages
• "Thai (Native), English (Fluent)"
"I CAN HELP WITH"
• Select categories expats typically need: Housing, Visa, Administrative, Lifestyle
• Shows you're willing to assist newcomers
BIO
• Mention you enjoy helping expats settle in
• "Bangkok native, love showing my city to newcomers. Fluent English, happy to help with housing, visas, and local culture."
INTERESTS
• Include activities popular with expats and conducive to meeting new people
• Language exchange, cultural events, social activities
SERVICES
• If you offer expat-relevant services, highlight them
• Real estate, translation, legal services, cultural tours
11. How expats can optimize their profile
Attracting helpful connections:
NATIONALITY
• Shows where you're from, helps find compatriots
"WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR"
• Select areas where you need help (especially as new expat)
• Housing, Visa, Outings, Administrative
"I CAN HELP WITH"
• Even as a new expat, you have expertise to offer
• Your professional skills, language teaching, insights from your home country
BIO
• Mention why you're in your host country, how long, what you're seeking
• "American expat in Chiang Mai for 2 years, work remotely. Love hiking and coffee culture. Looking for outdoor adventure buddies and professional networking."
EXPAT TYPE
• Mention if you're working expat, retiree, digital nomad, student
• Helps others understand your situation and availability
12. Search examples using Expat/Local filter
How people use this field:
SEARCH 1: "English-speaking locals in Bangkok"
Purpose: Find Thai locals who speak English for cultural guidance
Results: Locals with English language listed
SEARCH 2: "American expats in Dubai"
Purpose: Find fellow Americans for community connection
Results: Americans living in Dubai (expat status)
SEARCH 3: "Expats who can help with business networking"
Purpose: Find experienced expats with business connections
Results: Expats who marked "I can help with: Networking"
SEARCH 4: "Locals interested in language exchange"
Purpose: Find natives to practice local language with
Results: Locals who selected "Language Exchange" interest
SEARCH 5: "French expats in Thailand looking for housing"
Purpose: Help fellow French nationals find accommodation
Results: French expats who marked "Looking for: Housing"
13. Privacy considerations
This field is public:
VISIBILITY
• Expat or Local status is visible on your public profile
• Searchable by all members
• Cannot be hidden (it's core matching data)
WHY PUBLIC
• Essential for community matching and search
• Helps people find relevant connections
• Part of your basic community identity
NO SAFETY CONCERNS
• This information is general (not revealing exact address or sensitive details)
• Simply indicates your relationship to your location
• Safe to share in community context
14. Common mistakes to avoid
Don't make these errors:
MISTAKE 1: Selecting Local when you're actually an expat
CONSEQUENCE: Miss expat community, receive irrelevant connections, confuse people
MISTAKE 2: Selecting Expat when you're a citizen
CONSEQUENCE: Miss local community connections, appear as outsider unnecessarily
MISTAKE 3: Confusing nationality with ethnicity
CONSEQUENCE: Wrong selection (ethnically Chinese but Thai citizen in Thailand = Local, not Expat)
MISTAKE 4: Thinking expat is "better" or "worse" than local
CONSEQUENCE: Both are neutral designations; choose accurately, not aspirationally
MISTAKE 5: Never updating after naturalizing
CONSEQUENCE: Outdated status, missed opportunities in local community
MISTAKE 6: Overthinking it
CONSEQUENCE: It's simple – citizenship = location? → Local. Otherwise → Expat.
Be honest and straightforward.
15. Real-world examples
Clarifying through examples:
EXAMPLE 1: Sarah (American)
• Nationality: American
• Location: Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Status: EXPAT
• Why: American living in Thailand (not Thai citizen)
EXAMPLE 2: Somchai (Thai)
• Nationality: Thai
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: Thai citizen living in Thailand
EXAMPLE 3: Pierre (French)
• Nationality: French
• Location: Paris, France
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: French citizen living in France
EXAMPLE 4: Maria (Brazilian)
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Location: Lisbon, Portugal
• Status: EXPAT
• Why: Brazilian living in Portugal (not Portuguese citizen yet)
EXAMPLE 5: James (British-Australian dual citizen)
• Nationality: British and Australian
• Location: London, UK
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: British citizen living in Britain (one of his citizenship countries)
EXAMPLE 6: James moves to Thailand
• Nationality: Still British-Australian
• Location: Now Bangkok, Thailand
• Status: EXPAT
• Why: Living in Thailand (neither of his citizenship countries)
EXAMPLE 7: Linda (American who naturalized in Thailand)
• Nationality: American (birth) + Thai (naturalized)
• Location: Bangkok, Thailand
• Status: LOCAL
• Why: Thai citizen living in Thailand
IMPORTANT: Expat or Local status is based on whether your citizenship/nationality matches your current country of residence. Expat = living abroad (citizenship ≠ location). Local = living in your citizenship country. This field helps you find relevant community connections – expats connect with other expats for shared experiences and with locals for cultural guidance. Locals connect with expats for cultural exchange and business opportunities. Select honestly based on your actual citizenship and location.
BEST PRACTICE: Use the simple rule: If your citizenship equals your current country of residence, select Local. If your citizenship is different from your current country, select Expat. If you have dual citizenship and live in one of your citizenship countries, select Local. If you have dual citizenship but live in a third country, select Expat. Update your status if you naturalize (become a citizen of your host country). Don't overthink it – this is a straightforward factual designation, not a judgment.
NEED HELP? If you're unsure whether to select Expat or Local (complex citizenship situation, recently naturalized, third culture kid, long-term expat considering yourself local, etc.), contact team@pickeenoo.com and we'll help you choose the most accurate designation for your situation.
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