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Why family relocation shapes expat relocation success

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Successful relocation goes beyond the expat


Relocation may seem to be about the expat, but it truly is about family relocation. It’s about moving their entire life. While the expat may be excited for a new professional opportunity, their success often depends on how well their family adapts to the change. For example, if a spouse feels isolated or children struggle in a new school system, even the most promising assignments can fall apart. That’s why relocation needs to be holistic, supporting the entire family, not just the job.

At LARM, we understand that every successful relocation begins with supporting the people behind the move: the expat and their family. In a region as diverse and nuanced as Latin America, where factors like local bureaucracy, cultural norms, and safety vary significantly, having the right guidance makes all the difference.Global mobility services are essential for successful relocation

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A reliable global mobility expert team is your best ally in ensuring a smooth and successful relocation. While in-house HR teams or mobility departments can manage logistics, they often lack the local expertise, time, and resources to fully support the expat’s family throughout the relocation process. This is where specialized relocation support becomes essential. Our experts offer tailored, on-the-ground assistance to help expats and their families adjust quickly and confidently.

In Latin America, partnering with a company like LARM, which specializes in global mobility, immigration, and relocation, ensures that every aspect of the move is handled with precision, cultural sensitivity, and efficiency. We help companies overcome common challenges such as shifting regulations, safety concerns, and complex cultural integration. And we help expats and their families navigate unfamiliar systems with confidence, offering guidance every step of the way so they can settle in smoothly and focus on what matters most.

With complex administrative procedures, country-specific requirements, and cultural nuances, expert local support helps families settle in faster, prevents avoidable delays, and reduces the risk of culture shock. This allows your expat talent to stay focused, motivated, and productive.

How do global mobility experts support relocating families?

 

1. School finding


 Finding the right school is one of the biggest concerns for relocating families. LARM’s experts help identify the best private or international institutions based on the child’s age, learning style, language, and curriculum needs. This includes navigating enrollment requirements, setting up interviews, and ensuring the academic calendar aligns with the family’s timeline, especially when transitioning between northern and southern hemisphere schedules.

2. Spousal assistance

 

Not all spouses can work in the host country due to visa restrictions, which can lead to frustration, isolation, or a lack of purpose. That’s why spousal assistance goes beyond career support. LARM helps spouses explore local opportunities such as volunteering, connecting with hobby-related communities, and joining expat groups to feel engaged, fulfilled, and integrated into their new environment.

3. Cultural adaptation

Culture shock is common, particularly when moving to a country with unfamiliar customs, language, and systems. Our team provides cultural training to help families understand local values, expectations, and communication styles. These sessions prepare them to integrate more naturally and confidently into their new communities.

4. Home finding

Finding housing in Latin America can be challenging. There is no centralized property system, listings can be unreliable, and landlords may lack transparency. That’s why LARM supports expats every step of the way. We advocate on their behalf during lease negotiations, vet landlords and properties, and ensure the terms are clear and fair. Our team also assists with rental contracts and helps set up essential services like electricity, water, internet, and gas. We also coordinate with trusted logistics partners to ensure personal belongings arrive safely and support furniture rental if needed.

5. Language training


 Language barriers can be one of the biggest obstacles to integration. LARM connects expats and their families with language instructors tailored to their goals. Whether it’s conversational Spanish for the children or business-level fluency for the expat, personalized instruction makes communication easier and helps everyone feel more at home.

Getting the details right during the settling-in phase can make all the difference in how a family adapts to their new environment. We adapt our support based on each family’s unique needs, and additional services can be added as required to make the relocation experience as seamless, comfortable, and stress-free as possible.

What are the risks of relocating to LATAM without expert support?

 

Relocating to Latin America without specialized support exposes companies to a wide range of preventable risks. From bureaucratic delays and housing challenges to cultural misalignment and family dissatisfaction, these issues can significantly undermine the success of an assignment.

According to the Forum for Expatriate Management, international assignment failure rates can range from 25% to 70% in higher-risk regions, particularly in emerging markets like those across Latin America.

The financial consequences are just as severe. A joint report by International SOS and KPMG estimates that a failed international assignment can cost a company up to USD 1.25 million, factoring in expenses like lost productivity, early repatriation, and the cost of replacement.

Even when assignments don’t fail entirely, the financial investment is substantial. A Harvard Business Review analysis reports that the average cost of supporting an expat assignment is around USD 311,000 per year, and family-related challenges are consistently cited as a leading cause of assignment failure.

Why these risks matter for your organization

 

Assignment failure has a ripple effect: it delays operations, impacts morale, and wastes resources. Without expert local guidance, expats and their families may struggle to adapt, face unnecessary obstacles, and fail to meet performance expectations. The result is a costly, avoidable disruption to both individual careers and corporate goals.

LARM’s global mobility experts help reduce these risks by providing end-to-end relocation support designed specifically for the Latin American region. From housing and school placement to cultural training and family integration, we address the core factors that contribute to assignment success. With LARM, companies protect their investment, reduce turnover, and ensure their talent thrives—professionally and personally.

LARM is your trusted partner in relocation success!

At LARM, we help companies reduce relocation risks through end-to-end support tailored to the Latin American region. With coverage in 33 countries and decades of experience, our team offers unmatched local insight to guide expats and their families every step of the way.

From housing and school placement to spousal assistance and cultural integration, we address the key factors that ensure assignments succeed. When families feel supported, talent thrives—professionally and personally.

Visit larmgroup.com to learn more.

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