Employment opportunities in third countries offer refugees safe and regulated avenues to enter and stay in third countries based on a concrete job offer or specific labour market shortages while meeting their international protection needs. Employment opportunities empower refugees to utilize their skills and qualifications to provide for themselves and their families while directly contributing to their new communities.
Employment pathways are highly competitive processes driven by labor market shortages in third countries as well as specific employer needs. Often, employment pathways are part of traditional immigration systems adapted to facilitate the admission of refugees with the required skillsets. Depending on the country, they may include temporary or permanent entry arrangements to support refugees’ entry and stay into the third country. Most employment opportunities also facilitate visas for your nuclear, dependent family (including spouses and minor children.)
While more and more countries are offering employment pathways each year, a few examples of existing employment pathways include:
What are the requirements to apply for employment pathways?
Employment Pathways are highly competitive programs, often with strict requirements for eligibility. These requirements can vary depending on the specific industry, the needs of the employer, and the immigration laws of the receiving country.
Employment pathways usually require intermediate to advanced English language skills and certifications from internationally recognized English language tests. Refugees interested in pursuing employment pathways are strongly recommended to work on their English skills, as this is one of the main challenges refugees face.
Not all jobs require a university degree, and several job opportunities are available for skilled trades workers who have completed secondary school. Proven work experience for a certain duration may also be required.
How can I apply for employment pathways?
UNHCR works with two trusted partners, Talent Beyond Boundaries and TalentLift, who work to match skilled refugees with job opportunities around the world. Both partners have ‘talent pools’ where you can enter your information, background, skills, and education to be matched with opportunities. This is a great first step for refugees interested in pursuing employment pathways.
Talent Beyond Boundaries
With the rising demand for refugee talent, UNHCR has joined forces with Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB). TBB is an international organization that administers a talent catalogue of highly skilled refugees and works with employers to match skilled refugees with a variety of job opportunities in third countries. TBB connects refugees with job opportunities in Canada, Australia, the UK and Europe, and the US. Additional opportunities in other countries may arise.
TalentLift hosts a roster of skilled individuals, whom they also match with employers, and extend support to both the employer and refugees throughout the hiring process. TalentLift offers job opportunities exclusively in Canada.
To register your profile on the talent catalogues of TBB or TalentLift, please visit their websites. While applying, please ensure accurate and full information. Inaccurate or incomplete applications may not be considered.
❗Registering on the talent catalogues does not mean that you will be matched or selected for a job. You will only be matched with a job if your profile, skills, and background match available opportunities from employers in third countries. Employment pathways are highly competitive.
How can I improve my chances of being matched with a job?
English language skills remain a significant barrier for refugees in Jordan to access employment pathways. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to work on their English language skills, with plenty of online learning opportunities.
- Talent Beyond Boundaries Language Learning Resources include helpful courses for those registered in the talent catalogue, as well as information on test preparation.
- The British Council has an online course to help familiarize you with the IELTS test, as well as the English for Freelancers course, which helps to improve English using communication skills to support employment.
In addition to improving your language skills, applicants should also enhance their skills on Curriculum Vitae (CV) and interview preparation should they be matched for a job. While there are numerous resources available online, please also review the following links.
Finally, refugees are encouraged to continually enhance their skills and obtain internationally recognized certificates that can strengthen your profile. There are many opportunities for online learning through resources like Coursera, Forage, and LinkedIn. For more information, please visit Talent Beyond Boundaries Employment Resources page.
What if I have received a job offer without the support of these partners?
A job search for refugees is no different from a job search for any other candidate. Various websites, online platforms and tools that allow job seekers to identify international job openings that match their skills and expectations. However, not all opportunities are tailored to the specific needs of refugees, and refugee candidates may require additional support to access the opportunity.
If you have successfully secured a job abroad, but have questions – please reach out to Talent Beyond Boundaries through [email protected] or, for employment in Canada only, TalentLift [email protected]