Strategies to Find a Job as a Refugee: Resources and Tips

Being a refugee can be really tough. You face a lot of stress, fear, and uncertainty. But you’ve already made a brave first step toward a better future by learning how to find a job as a refugee. Believe it or not, success might be closer than you think. Studies show that refugees can succeed by working hard, finding new opportunities, and improving their language skills and education. Take Sofia, for example. She’s a 25-year-old from Afghanistan. Even though she had many challenges back home, she’s now building a new career in the US. She got help from a group called the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and is using her tech skills and dreams to connect with others.

This guide is here to help you find your way in the job market of your new country. It will show you how to understand your rights to work and adjust to different kinds of jobs. We’ll also tell you about useful services like Upwardly Global. No matter if you are in the USA, Australia, or any other place, follow along as we show you how to get a job and succeed.

Refugee Status Determination

Refugee status determination is when experts check if someone can be called a refugee. These experts work in government buildings or special groups. They review asylum applications and speak with applicants to see if they fit the refugee criteria.

It is very important to get this status because it allows people to work and get job offers. The experts must understand the laws very well and listen carefully and fairly to what people say. Their decisions help asylum seekers begin new lives in new places by giving them the rights they need.

What Are My Work Rights? 

It's important for refugees to know their work rights in their new country. Here’s what you need to know for some common destinations:

USA: You can start working as soon as you arrive. You will receive a Form I-94 with a refugee stamp and a digital Form I-765 for work authorization will be set up for you. While you wait for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), which might take a few weeks, your Form I-94 proves that you are allowed to work.

Canada: If you are seeking refugee status (refugee claimant), you must get a work permit from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) before you can start working. This permit is usually for people who need financial support and have passed a health check. It's free to get this permit and a Social Insurance Number (SIN) to work.

UK: After you get refugee status, you will receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), which shows your identity and that you are allowed to work. Soon, in December 2024, an online account will take the place of the BRP. You are allowed to work in any job once you have your refugee status.

Australia: Your right to work depends on the type of visa you have. Permanent Protection Visas let you work fully, while Temporary Protection Visas and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas offer limited work rights under certain conditions. Bridging Visas may restrict your work options. It is always good to get advice to understand your specific rights.

What Documents Do I Need to Work as a Refugee?

When you're ready to work in a new country, it's important to have the right documents. Here's what you need in different places:

The USA: 

Refugees and Asylees use a Form I-94 to show they can work. This form is also used when filling out the I-9 form for employment. Sometimes, they might use an expired EAD along with a Form I-797C for up to 540 days.

Tips: Always check the latest guidelines on the USCIS website to know what documents you can use.

Canada: 

Refugee Claimants must get an open work permit while their application is being processed. This includes meeting with a settlement worker, providing fingerprints and photos, and gathering required documents like a passport and proof of job eligibility.

How to Apply: You can apply either online or on paper. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will help you through the process and explain any fees.

The UK: 

You'll receive a Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) which proves you have the right to work. You may also need to show other documents such as a P45, P60, or National Insurance card with your BRP.

Documents Needed: The Home Office divides documents into List A (showing indefinite leave to remain) and List B (showing limited leave to remain). Make sure you have the right documents from these lists to prove you can work.

Australia: 

Keep your visa grant notice and passport handy. Always check your visa for any work restrictions.

Important Checks: Make sure you have a Tax File Number (TFN). If you are self-employed, you might also need an Australian Business Number (ABN).

Special Visas: People with visas like the Woman at Risk (subclass 204) might need extra proof, such as UNHCR referral documents.

Europe: 

In places like France, You can apply for a work permit within six months if your asylum application hasn't been decided yet. You will need a job offer or contract that fits the length of your residence permit.

Considerations: Availability of work permits can vary based on local job markets and specific needs. It's a good idea for asylum seekers to contact local labor offices to get the necessary documents and understand the process.

Job Searching Strategies: National Resources and Organizations

When looking for a job as a refugee, it's important to know about the organizations that can help you find work and understand your rights. Here's a simple guide to some key groups in different countries that offer support:

The USA

Online Platforms and Agencies

Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB): Helps connect refugees with jobs around the world and provides guidance on immigration.

Upwardly Global: Works to remove obstacles for refugees who are allowed to work and have professional skills or degrees.

Local Refugee Resettlement Agencies: These agencies help refugees find specialists who can offer personalized help, like making resumes and learning how to search for jobs.

Advocacy and Legal Support

US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Immigrant and Employee Rights Section: Protects refugees from workplace discrimination.

US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission: Enforces laws to stop job discrimination.

US Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Ensures fair treatment in work, especially in farming and government contracts.

Canada

Support Services 

ACCES Employment: Assists refugees in overcoming job barriers with free services to help them join the Canadian job market.

MOSAIC's Refugee Employment Support Services: Provides one-on-one advice on resumes, job searches, and interviews.

Local and National Initiatives

JVS Toronto: Offers career help through partnerships with employers and special programs that also provide emergency support.

Talent Lift: Connects the skills of refugees with Canadian employers facing talent shortages, proposing a model where refugees can access global job and visa opportunities. 

Jumpstart Refugee Talent: Aims to accelerate job readiness among refugees, creating strong employment connections and facilitating mentorship and entrepreneurship opportunities. 

The UK 

Dedicated Employment Support Services

International Rescue Committee (IRC): Offers courses on job readiness that include how to search for jobs, create applications, and learn interview skills.

Refugee Council: Helps refugees restart their careers and adjust to life in the UK.

Regional Support and Networking

Refugee Employability Programme: Offers personalized support from dedicated caseworkers to enhance English skills and find jobs.

Refugee Resource: This service welcomes refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants, providing you with support to build meaningful lives within the community and assistance in employment.

Refugee Action (Pathways to Work): This organization helps refugees find suitable jobs that match their skills and interests. 

Refugee Employment Network (REN): This network connects nonprofits, local authorities, and businesses to ensure refugees in the UK have access to employment opportunities.

Australia 

Employment Assistance Programs 

JRS Australia’s Employment Assistance Program: Helps asylum seekers and vulnerable migrants get ready for work by providing tailored support.

AMES Australia: Assists newcomers in adapting to life and work in Victoria through language and vocational training.

Community Resource Hubs 

The Refugee Resource Hub by ASRC: A central place in Melbourne for refugees to get help and support within the community.

Training Programs

The Importance of Language Learning 

It's very important for newcomers to learn the language of their new country. It helps you join new communities more easily and find jobs, especially ones where you need to talk a lot with other people, like in health care or restaurants. Learning the local language helps you in daily life and improves your chances of getting a good job.

Where to Find Language Classes:

USA

The Immigrant Learning Center offers free classes all year round to help refugees. These classes teach basic language skills and also include leadership and job training.

Classroom 2 Community and Refugee Assistance Program have special programs for learning English. They focus on different groups of people, like young people and older refugees.

Canada

Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) and Cours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada (CLIC) are programs funded by the government. They offer language classes for free to help you settle in and find jobs.

Australia 

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) provides free courses to help refugees improve their English. This is very important for being part of the community and working in Australia.

UK 

Breaking Barriers and RefuAid give courses in English that help you qualify for university or professional jobs.

Europe 

Institutions like Freie Universität Berlin and JRS French School offer special language classes for refugees. These help you get ready for school or work in your new country.

If you're not in France or Germany, you can look online for "Refugee language lessons" to find classes near you.

Vocational Training Programs 

Vocational training is very important for helping refugees join the job market. These programs teach you specific skills that local jobs need. They help match your existing skills with what employers are looking for in your new country.

Tips for Successful Employment 

Keep Going

Looking for a job can be tough, especially when you are in a new country. It's important to set clear and realistic goals for yourself. Celebrate each small success as you go along. If you need help or advice, don't hesitate to contact the services and organizations mentioned in this article.

Use Technology like Yolla

Tools like Yolla are great for staying connected without spending too much money. Here’s how Yolla can help:

• Pre-Move Communication: Before you move, use Yolla to make contacts with organizations and groups that can help you. This can give you a head start and help you know what to expect. Yolla lets you make affordable international calls to phones all over the world.

• Staying Connected with Home: After you move, it's important to keep in touch with your family and friends back home. Regular calls and updates can support you emotionally and keep you motivated. Yolla offers very low rates for international calls and often gives out bonuses.

Save Money with Yolla

Stay updated on Yolla’s promotions and free bonuses by following them on Facebook and Instagram.

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Networking and Volunteering

Networking is key to finding a good job. Use social media and the internet to look for community events, workshops, and seminars that are related to the field you want to work in, like health care or construction. Volunteering is also a great way to meet people, improve your language skills, gain experience in your local area, and increase your chances of finding a job.

New Beginnings Await, Embrace Your Journey! 

You now understand more about your rights to work, the important documents you need for a job, how to look for work, and the training available to you as a refugee. We hope this article helps make the idea of finding a job a bit less overwhelming. It's very important to believe in yourself and the skills you bring.

Don't forget to use Yolla to stay in touch with your friends and family back home. Let them know about your progress and share your achievements. Your story can inspire others and show them that with the right help and strong will, new starts are definitely possible.

Jargon Buster: Terms and Phrases Explained

Term/Phrase	Definition
Asylees	Individuals granted protection on the grounds they are fleeing persecution from their home country.
Asylum Seeker	Someone who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another.
Australian Business Number (ABN)	Identifying number used in the Australian tax and government systems.
Biometric Residence Permit	An identity card containing biometric information and a visa or immigration status which allows a person to stay in the UK.
Bridging Visa	Temporary visas provided in Australia to allow someone to stay lawfully in the country while their immigration status is resolved.
Employment Authorization Document (EAD)	A document issued by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (UCIS) that allows non-citizens to work legally in the US.
Form I-765	This form is used by non-citizens to request permission from US Citizenship and Immigration Services (UCIS) to work legally in the United States.
Form I-797	A document issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that serves as a notice of action on an application or petition.
Form I-94	A form used by US Customs and Border Protection to track arrival and departure dates of people entering the United States.
Indefinite Leave to Remain	Permission to stay in the UK permanently without any immigration restrictions.
IRC (International Rescue Committee)	An NGO that provides emergency aid and long-term assistance to refugees and those displaced by war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Limited Leave to Remain	Temporary permission to stay in the UK for a specified period, after which the person must either leave the UK or apply for an extension.
National Insurance card	A card issued in the UK that contains a person’s National Insurance Number, used to track their contributions to the national social security system.
P45	A document issued in the UK that details an employee’s earnings and tax paid when they stop working for an employer.
P60	A statement issued to taxpayers in the UK at the end of a tax year, indicating the tax they have paid on their salary.
Permanent Protection Visa (PPV)/Temporary Protection Visa (TPV)	Types of visas in Australia that provide protection for refugees with different rights.
Refugee	A person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.
Refugee Claimant	A person who has applied for protection as a refugee but whose claim has not yet been decided.
Resettlement Agency	An organization that helps refugees with settlement and integration into a new country.
Safe Haven Enterprise Visa (SHEV)	A type of temporary protection visa in Australia that encourages refugees to live and work in regional areas.
Social Insurance Number (SIN)	A number issued in Canada to administer various government programs. Required to work or receive government benefits.
Tax File Number (TFN)	Identifying number used in the Australian tax and government systems.
UNHCR Referral Documents	These documents are issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to facilitate refugee resettlement and aid processes. They include important information about a refugee’s background, status, and the assistance they need, helping host countries and organizations provide appropriate support.
Visa	A document that allows the holder to enter or stay in a particular country.
Vocational Training	Education and training that prepares individuals for jobs that are based on manual or practical activities, traditionally non-academic and directly related to a specific trade, occupation, or vocation.
Woman at Risk (subclass 204)	An Australian visa for female refugees who do not have the protection of a male relative and are in danger because of their gender.
Work Permit	Permission for a non-citizen to work in a foreign country.