Immigration Industry Association and Morneau Shepell form alliance to launch expat assistance program

A long-term partnership focusing on the welfare, guidance and support of expats and migrants around the world

TORONTO, March 23, 2017 – Morneau Shepell, a leading provider of employee and family assistance programs, and the Immigration Industry Association (IIA), announced today the launch of an expat assistance program that provides welfare, guidance and support services to expats, migrants and people considering migrating. The strategic alliance between the two organizations builds on the IIA’s commitment to ensuring that expats and visa holders are supported throughout their transition from one country to another. The program will be available to all members of the IIA and their clients. 

The IIA finds that expats’ main concerns include: leaving family behind, moving to new countries and being supported by local communities, integrating into new cultures and having family support during the transition process. The services provided by Morneau Shepell will alleviate some of the concerns experienced by individuals and families transitioning to their new life. Services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and allow the clients to speak to a representative in one of more than 200 languages in 180 countries. 

“We are very excited to partner with the IIA, as the association’s goals and values align directly with ours and our core services offering,” said Stephen Liptrap, Chief Operating Officer, Morneau Shepell. “This alliance ensures that expats are assisted throughout every step of their journey and we are pleased to provide that support.”

Clients will have direct access to the IIA membership and Morneau Shepell’s services, including support with visa advice, removal and relocation, banking and finance, and more. The expat assistance program will provide expats, migrants and their family members with confidential, dedicated phone support services, including services for children.

“This is a huge step forward for members of the IIA globally and for the security it affords their clients,” said Chris Galway, Director, IIA. “As professionals working in the immigration industry, we know the difficulties faced by expats and migrants when planning their move and the unforeseen stresses that can occur when settling into a new country. We wholly support the work that Morneau Shepell does to assist with these issues and we believe that this strategic relationship will strengthen the immigration industry as a whole. Expats, their families and their employers across our membership network will benefit greatly by the introduction of this program.”