1. UNHCR Operational Guidelines on Complementary Pathways
© UNHCR/Agnese Morganti
© UNHCR/Agnese Morganti
© UNHCR/Agnese Morganti
© UNHCR/Agnese Morganti
Refugees should have the opportunity to access safe and regular migration options–just like anybody else. Making these opportunities more available and systemic is fundamentally what complementary pathways are about.
UNHCR’s vision about complementary pathways
UNHCR’s long-term vision is a world in which refugees can make informed choices about their migration options and enjoy the freedom of movement to do so. In this world, refugees, have access to documentation and rights, and can independently navigate migration frameworks which can maintain their own purposes while being adjustable to the specific needs of refugees
To get there, UNHCR advocates that the laws and policies governing migration are adapted to be more inclusive of refugees. The short-term vision involves supporting the development of partnerships to broaden access to opportunities through links between departure and destination countries with appropriate regulatory systems, while advocating for the gradual removal of obstacles. In this, UNHCR plays a coordinating and capacity-building role ensuring protection, mobilizing support, acting as a bridge between partners, and ensuring refugees are included in a globalized world.
Introduction
The UNHCR Operational Guidelines on Complementary Pathways outline UNHCR’s approach and engagement in complementary pathways, building on existing policy documents, including the Global Compact on Refugees, the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, the UNHCR Strategic Directions 2022-2026, and the Third Country Solutions for Refugees: Roadmap 2030. They should be read in conjunction with UNHCR’s Operational Guidelines on Facilitating Family Reunification for Persons in Need of International Protection.
In this website, you will find practical tools and guidance seeking to standardize and harmonize UNHCR’s work around complementary pathways. These materials are primarily aimed at UNHCR personnel, but can also be useful for partners seeking to understand UNHCR’s complementary pathways work.