Complementary pathways permits
Information
Full name
Number of individuals who received first-time entry permits for complementary pathways, by permit type
Short name
Complementary pathways permits
Code
ComplementaryPathwaysPermits
Definition
This indicator is defined as the total known number of refugees who have been admitted through a complementary pathway from their country of asylum to a third country. Complementary pathways for admission are safe and regulated avenues that complement and are additional to refugee resettlement, by providing lawful access and stay in a third country where their international protection needs are met. Refugees may be admitted in a country and have their international protection needs met while they are able to support themselves to potentially reach a sustainable and lasting solution. Admitted refers to the authorisation for a refugee to enter or stay lawfully. Complementary pathways include several admission avenues very different in nature. They may include one or a combination of the following:
Family reunification procedures, which are rights-based and state-provided legal avenues for refugees to reunite with their family members where more effective protection, longer-term solutions, and family support are possible. These can also reunite refugees with extended family members and with those who have a relationship of dependency.
Humanitarian pathways, programmes which offer an admission opportunity to individuals in need of international protection through their identification and transfer from the country of asylum to a third country (different from their current country of asylum) based on protection and/or general humanitarian needs, and allow the beneficiaries to apply for asylum or a protection status upon arrival. These legal avenues or programmes often rely on humanitarian visas issued prior to departure.
Sponsorship pathways, or named sponsorships (often known as Private Sponsorship programmes), are programmes that allow individuals, groups of individuals, or organisations to directly engage in admission efforts by identifying, selecting, and supporting the entry and stay of nominated individuals in need of international protection.
Employment pathways, by which a refugee may enter or stay in another country through safe and regulated avenues for purposes of employment, with the right to either permanent or temporary residence. Candidates’ eligibility for programmes is assessed based on their professional qualifications and experience.
Education pathways, including private and community or institution-based scholarships, traineeships, and apprenticeship programmes which provide refugees with appropriate safeguards, such as documentation and legal entry and stay arrangements for the duration of their studies/traineeship, and clear post-graduation options, which may include permanent residency or post graduate study or employment stay permits. Candidates’ eligibility for programmes is assessed based on their academic merit.
Other entry and stay options, distinct from those mentioned above, that may be used as safe and regulated avenues to admit refugees to third countries and provide an opportunity for extended or permanent legal stay.
Residence permits and visa are defined as any authorisation issued by a country to a foreign national to enter or stay lawfully. For purposes of this indicator, only residence permits of a specific type issued to a person for the first time shall be considered. Permits issued to refugees or asylum-seekers that used the national asylum determination system to enter or stay in the country are excluded.
Rationale
Complementary pathways for admission serve as an important expression of international solidarity and cooperation and as a contribution to more equitable responsibility-sharing, additional to and separate from resettlement programmes. They must be designed and implemented in such a way that the rights of refugees and their international protection needs are safeguarded.
Method of computation
Number of refugees who have been issued a first-time residence permit or visa by the national authorities during a reference period for the specific purpose (employment, study, family reunification, or humanitarian reasons). This indicator is required to be disaggregated by country of admission, country of origin, country of asylum (i.e. the country the refugee departed from) and type of complementary pathway for admission. In addition, it can also be disaggregated by sex and age.
Comparability
International definition and standards
Relationships
| Framework | Indicator | Comparability |
|---|---|---|
| UNHCR Global Results Framework | 15.3 Number of people admitted through complementary pathways from the host country | Comparable |
| Global Compact on Refugees Indicator Framework | Number of refugees admitted through complementary pathways from the host country | Comparable |
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Limitations
The indicator may suffer from both over- and under-estimation. In terms of overestimation, while the indicator should include complementary pathways provided to individuals residing in country of asylum, it is possible that some of the data received by the OECD and UNHCR cover individuals who arrive directly from their countries of origin. In addition, while the data should cover only first-time granted permits, and not permit renewals or status changes in the destination country, it is not possible to distinguish these situations in the data received from some countries. In terms of underestimation, not all the countries that offer complementary pathways provided data to the OECD and UNHCR. For some countries, there were missing data for certain complementary pathways and/or years. Furthermore, data on admissions through humanitarian pathways has not been collected yet.
Statistics on first residence permits or other administrative data sources typically do not enable the identification of refugees if they do not hold a humanitarian-related permit. The International Recommendations on Refugee Statistics can be used as a reference guide.
Data on complementary pathways remains limited and relies primarily on OECD–UNHCR datasets, which constitute the most comprehensive source currently available. However, the data is limited to a selected group of refugee nationalities and a restricted number of destination countries, reflecting the scope and purpose of the reporting exercise rather than the full extent of complementary pathway admissions.
Data sources
OECD-UNHCR data on safe pathways permits for refugees
OECD_UNHCR_WRL_SAFEPATH
2024
Multisource