Refugee Employment Integration: A Comprehensive Guide for Employers
Introduction
There are over 108 million forcibly displaced people worldwide (UNHCR, 2023), including 36.4 million refugees. Of these, the vast majority are of working age and want to work. Yet refugees face some of the steepest barriers to employment of any group: language, credential recognition, legal restrictions, cultural adjustment, trauma, and employer reluctance.
Employers who invest in refugee hiring consistently report high loyalty, strong work ethic, and low turnover (Tent Partnership, 2022). This guide covers the practical steps.
Work Rights by Country
United States
- Refugees (resettled through USRAP) receive work authorisation upon arrival and a Social Security card within weeks
- Asylum seekers may apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) 150 days after filing their application
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders receive renewable work permits
United Kingdom
- Refugees with granted status have full right to work with no restrictions
- Asylum seekers cannot work for the first 12 months; after that, they may apply for permission to work in roles on the Shortage Occupation List only
- Ukrainian visa holders (Homes for Ukraine, Ukraine Family Scheme) have full work rights