Digital leaders, lawmakers, HR experts, doctors, and community advocates face a common dilemma. Multilingual people must understand their message. December 18 is International Migrants Day, underscoring the issue. Migrants’ comfort, understanding, and integration into new communities depend on language access.
International Migrants Day 2025: Why Language Access Matters
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 18 December as International Migrants Day in 2000 to recognize global migration and migrant rights.
The International Organization for Migration estimates that about 281 million people lived outside their birth country in 2020.
Those figures include students, parents, coworkers, and neighbors who have to cope with foreign systems every day. They sign leases, get medical care, enroll their kids in school, and apply for jobs. Language is important for every stage.
Researchers say that many migrants and their families have worse health access and outcomes because they don’t speak the language well.
For this reason, International Migrants Day today focuses on language as both a human rights issue and a practical need.
International Migrants Day and the Global Migration Picture
The term “migrant” is commonly associated in the minds of the general public with either dramatic journeys or journalistic reports on catastrophes. On International Migrants Day, we ought to reflect on the larger, day-to-day realities that are at the root of those stories. Migrant workers are people who migrate to another country to work for a short time in a variety of fields, such as agriculture, caregiving, engineering, nursing, international studentship, and starting restaurants and other companies.
Studies show that migrants boost global GDP and innovation in many mature and emerging economies. However, a lot of people still have trouble understanding formal papers, contracts, and online services that are only available in one language. Who doesn’t get the information when it’s only in one language? This is a difficult subject that organizations may be prompted to consider on International Migrants Day.
Everyday Language Barriers Migrants Face
Language barriers rarely appear just once. They often show up in long chains of small, stressful moments. On International Migrants Day, it helps to picture them clearly.
Migrants may face situations like these:
- A parent receives a school notice that they cannot read.
- A worker signs a contract without understanding key clauses.
- A patient nods silently through a medical visit they barely follow.
- A refugee navigates complex asylum instructions on an English-only website.
Researchers report higher medical errors and lower satisfaction when providers do not offer language support.
Health ethicists also note that language barriers deepen existing inequalities in care and outcomes.
Because of this, many families turn to certified translation services for immigration documents and legal filings when they can. However, not everyone knows where to start or whom to trust.
Why Businesses Should Care About Language Access
International Migrants Day isn’t just for governments and organizations. It also tells firms to think about how they talk to people worldwide and in their own area.
According to CSA and other companies’ Research, most customers would rather get information in their native language. A lot of research puts that percentage at 70–76%.
Marketing specialists report that localized efforts can boost conversions by 13% to 70%, depending on the industry and the quality of execution.
Another review of multilingual webpages indicated that adding more languages can boost conversion rates by as much as 70%.
In other words, linguistic access helps people grasp their rights and what they are being offered. It also helps businesses thrive in ways that are good for the environment and people.
It’s not surprising that more teams look for:
- Online translation of documents for visa applications for new hires who are moving.
- Multilingual platforms facilitate communication among migrant groups during outreach operations.
- Legal translation services are necessary for asylum cases, especially when providing pro bono or CSR support.
Use International Migrants Day to fill the gaps in your language. Work with eTranslation Services
to make sure that migrants can communicate clearly and respectfully. Contact us now!
Best Practices for Language Access on International Migrants Day
Many groups want to go beyond words and take real action on International Migrants Day. These best practices help ensure that good intentions lead to real advances in language access that really aid migrants and their families.
Best Practice #1: Map Languages and Real Needs
To begin, find out who lives in your region and what languages families really speak at home.
The School District of Philadelphia reports that its children speak more than 100 different languages at home.
After mapping these languages, district officials can put translated registration packets, health forms, and event fliers at the top of their to-do lists for the areas with the biggest gaps. When families get important information in their first language, schools often see more families get involved and fewer misunderstandings.
Best Practice #2: Streamline Document and Translation Intake
When international applicants submit documentation in many different languages, the complex admissions processes at universities can make the process more difficult.
DreamApply reports that its admissions software boosts student enrollment by 30% and reduces application processing time by 40%.
When colleges make it easier for staff to receive, translate, and verify international documents, they may spend more time advising students rather than doing paperwork. Faster, clearer document handling also helps applicants receive decisions more quickly, making it easier to organize travel, housing, and visas.
Best Practice #3: Offer Professional Interpreting For Key Encounters
International Migrants Day also shows how important it is to talk to each other. Most of the time, important things happen in person or over the phone, not on paper.
One study found that when translators were present at admission and discharge, the number of people who had to return to the hospital decreased from 24.3% to 14.9%.
Another study found that using experienced interpreters made less mistakes in the clinic and helped people comprehend better.
As a result, more organizations are using advanced remote interpreting services for immigration interviews, hospital visits, and emergency calls. Even easy access to phone or video interpreters can make a big difference in the results.
Best Practice #4: Design Multilingual Digital Journeys, Not Just Translated Pages
Many migrants depend on their smartphones for nearly everything. They use their phones to look for jobs, housing, forms, and help from their community.
Websites and apps that support multiple languages always do better than those that support only one. Some businesses report that adding languages has increased their conversion rates by up to 70%.
To acknowledge International Migrants Day, you may undertake the following actions:
- Translate error notifications, forms, navigation elements, and frequently asked questions.
- Implement chatbots and autoresponders in your region.
- Ensure each page includes user-friendly language toggles.
Migrants and sponsors appreciate the simplicity of completing visa applications online, facilitated by clear, mobile-optimized instructions.
Best Practice #5: Measure Your Impact and Report Back
Finally, International Migrants Day encourages accountability. Language access efforts deserve the same data discipline as any strategic initiative.
Useful metrics include:
- Appointment attendance for clients with limited local language proficiency.
- Completion rates for translated forms versus original ones.
- Satisfaction scores from surveys available in multiple languages.
- Conversion rates for localized marketing campaigns.
One review of healthcare language programs found that professional interpreting reduced unnecessary visits and shortened consultations.
Meanwhile, multilingual marketing studies show conversion rates increase by 13% to 70% after thoughtful localization.
When leaders see those numbers, they usually decide to expand programs rather than shrink them.
Technology-Supported Language Access
Technology alone never solves language inequality. However, it helps humans deliver language access faster, more consistently, and more securely.
Organizations honoring International Migrants Day can explore tools such as:
- Translation management systems that store glossaries, legal terms, and templates for providing legal translation services for asylum cases.
- Secure portals that can manage the online translation of documents for visa applications and uploads.
- Platforms that provide multilingual communication solutions for migrant communities through SMS, email, and chat.
- Phone and video systems that can connect users with remote interpreting services for immigration interviews on demand.
The US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services encourages agencies to maintain formal language access plans that include technology.
Because data privacy matters deeply, organizations must also apply strong security and confidentiality protections to every translated or interpreted interaction.
How eTranslation Services Helps You Honor International Migrants Day
Many teams want to mark International Migrants Day but feel overwhelmed by language, formats, and deadlines. That is where eTranslation Services fits.
We specialize in human-led translation and interpreting for legal, medical, educational, and business contexts. Our linguists work in more than 200 languages and focus on real-world use cases, not just word-for-word replacement.
You can work with eTranslation Services to implement:
- Certified translation services for immigration documents and supporting evidence.
- Legal translation services for asylum cases and appeals.
- Multilingual communication solutions for migrant communities across newsletters, websites, and outreach campaigns.
Our team also helps design workflows and glossaries so your language access remains consistent long after International Migrants Day passes.
Use International Migrants Day as your starting line, not your finish line.
Partner with eTranslation Services and build language access that actually works.
From International Migrants Day to Everyday Inclusion
It’s easy to post a quote or share a hashtag on International Migrants Day. It’s harder but far more powerful to change systems.
When organizations invest in translation, interpreting, and multilingual design, migrants experience clear benefits. They understand their rights, options, and obligations. They feel seen.
At the same time, businesses earn loyal customers, and public institutions gain trust and compliance. Everyone wins when people truly understand one another.
Let International Migrants Day reshape how you communicate all year.
Choose eTranslation Services and turn language access into a permanent pillar of inclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why is International Migrants Day important to my organization?
The contributions and difficulties faced by migrants are highlighted on International Migrants Day. Your company can use the day to assess communication and address hurdles posed by access-blocking language.
Which documents do migrants need translated the most?
Migrants must translate contracts, passports, birth certificates, degrees, and medical documents. They also need social help, housing, school, and visa forms translated.
How does technology affect International Migrants Day?
Technology cannot replace human expertise. However, translation platforms, secure portals, and interpreter routing tools help teams deliver faster, more reliable language access.
How does language access affect migrant health and safety?
Language barriers can delay care and increase mistakes. Professional interpreters and translated materials help migrants understand instructions and make informed treatment decisions.
How can small nonprofits start language access work before International Migrants Day?
Small nonprofits can begin with their most-used forms and flyers. They can then add multilingual communication solutions for migrant communities over time.
What digital steps help migrants the most?
Migrants appreciate clear, mobile-friendly websites in multiple languages. They also value online document translation for visa applications and simple language toggles on every page.
How does language access support employers with migrant staff?
Employers can translate contracts, safety procedures, and onboarding materials. They can also offer interpreters for HR meetings and feedback sessions, especially around rights and benefits.
Why not rely solely on machine translation tools?
Machine tools miss nuance and legal risk. Human linguists at eTranslation Services protect meaning, tone, and confidentiality in sensitive migration and asylum contexts.
How can we measure progress after International Migrants Day?
You can track attendance, form completion, satisfaction scores, and conversion rates. You can also assess complaint volumes related to misunderstanding or unclear communication.
How do we start working with eTranslation Services for International Migrants Day?
You can list your priority languages and documents first. Then you can contact eTranslation Services for a tailored language access plan for International Migrants Day.
