Resources for employers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Resources for employers in Bosnia and Herzegovina
We use "refugees" to encompass forcibly displaced people with different legal statuses, such as refugees, subsidiary protection holders, temporary protection holders, asylum seekers, and others needing international protection.
In cases where differentiating information relating to each status is essential (i.e. regarding the right to work), this is clearly indicated.
Why hire refugees and stateless people in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
Since 2018, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) has been part of one of the most travelled mixed movements routes in the Western Balkans, with more than 168,000 registered arrivals to the country between January 2018 and September 2024 towards desired final destinationsLink is external such as Germany, Italy, and France. Even though most individuals who arrive in the country are issued an attestation of the expressed intent to apply for asylum, only some formally register their asylum application (around 2%). Nonetheless, a small community of refugees and asylum-seekers wish to remain in the country and integrate into the BiH society. Since 2022, small numbers of refugees from Ukraine and the Russian Federation have also arrived in the country.
The integration of these individuals in BiH largely depends on their inclusion in the labour market to achieve self-reliance and build a social network. Local businesses' role is crucial to facilitate the employment of refugees and stateless people and create suitable conditions for them to thrive in their new environment. This can also benefit employers since recruiting refugees has been provenLink is external to improve employer branding and positioning, increase retention rates, and help build more diverse and inclusive teams. Notably, refugees' arrival may help alleviateLink is external the labour shortages and brain drain caused by continuous emigration from the country since the 1990s.
In addition to being trustworthy employees, refugees are also very entrepreneurial. They bring many skills and international knowledge to the local market, and businesses can convert these skills and knowledge into attractive business ideas. One example is a Turkish couple with a subsidiary protection status who opened a clothing shopLink is external in Ilidža, near Sarajevo, thanks to the material assistance and business consulting with the support of Catholic Relief ServicesLink is external and UNHCR Bosnia and Herzegovina. Interacting with customers and managing a business has improved their language skills and understanding of local customs, which are key components of a successful integration. Read more about the story here.
How many refugees and stateless people are there in Bosnia and Herzegovina?
In 2023, 91,000 people had been internally displaced in Bosnia and Herzegovina after the 1992-1995 war. As of mid-2024, the country was hosting 136 asylum-seekers and 437 refugees, primarily from Ukraine, Türkiye, and the Russian Federation. There is also a small community of recorded stateless people and people of undetermined nationality in the country.
Visit the Refugee Data Finder to learn more
What are the main challenges?
The primary challenges for refugees include 1) the language barrier in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian; 2) the inability of forcibly displaced people from Ukraine who have received a temporary residence on humanitarian grounds permit to work legally in the country; 3) the fact that most institutions do not recognize documents such as asylum-seeker cards or proof of status which prevents refugees and asylum-seekers them from opening bank accounts, registering with employment bureaus and getting a job; 4) the lack of resources and services to support integration into the local labour market. Stateless people without legal recognition or status are not entitled to work legally and may face significant barriers in finding employment.
Refugees may need help securing employment, especially in regulated professions, due to missing or incomplete documentation of their qualifications. Even when refugees bring their diplomas, the legalization process may need to be more convenient and affordable. In 2024, UNHCR, Vaša prava BiHLink is external ( VP) and the Catholic Relief ServicesLink is external facilitated the translation and nostrification of diplomas for individuals from Ukraine, the Russian Federation, Iran and Türkiye. This procedure is essential for the potential employment of skilled workers, as it contributes to increasing refugees' chances on the job market and allowing them to continue their education in BiH if they wish to.
| Status | Who it applies to | Right to work? |
| Asylum-seekers | Individuals who have applied for asylum in Bosnia and Herzegovina but still have not received a decision on their application. | Asylum-seekers have the right to work if a decision on their asylum application is not made within nine months, and the burden of failure to make a decision cannot be placed on them. |
| Refugees | Individuals who have a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. | Refugees have the right to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. |
| Subsidiary protection | Individuals who do not qualify for refugee status but who are unable to return to their home country because it would mean they face capital punishment, torture or inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment. | Subsidiary protection holders have the right to work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. |
| Temporary residence on humanitarian grounds | Forcibly displaced people from Ukraine who have not applied for asylum in BiH (in a "refugee-like" situation). | Those staying in Bosnia and Herzegovina with a temporary residence on humanitarian grounds can stay for 6 months and do not have the right to work in the country. |
| Stateless person | A stateless person is someone who is not considered as a citizen by any country (whether recognized as such or not) | Stateless persons who are granted temporary residence on humanitarian grounds are entitled to work under the same conditions as foreigners. |
How do I connect with refugee talent?
Employers interested in hiring refugees can turn to the UNHCR Information Center in Sarajevo, Vaša prava BiHLink is external, BHWILink is external, and CRSLink is external, which can connect them with available resources and make referrals to suitable candidates. These organizations also offer legal aid, which may be helpful in cases of issues with recruitment or residency procedures, as well as psychosocial support. They also provide vocational training courses and occupational therapy activities.
Watch a video highlighting vocational training programs for refugees and asylum-seekers to prepare them for jobs in the culinaryLink is external and agriculturalLink is external sectors.
What can I do to support refugee and stateless employees?
Employers interested in hiring refugees and stateless people in Bosnia and Herzegovina are encouraged to cooperate with the NGO sector to organize language courses and adaptation programs for new hires. In addition, companies can set up mentorship or on-the-job training programs to facilitate the onboarding of refugee and stateless talent.
Useful resources
Voucher schemes
The Labor and Employment Agency of Bosnia and HerzegovinaLink is external offers a government employment voucher scheme for unemployed individuals registered at the agency who request a vocational training program. Unemployed refugees who are registered with municipal employment offices are eligible to access these public employment programs.
Support for employment
Interested companies can turn to UNHCR or to NGOs such as the Catholic Relief ServicesLink is external, which can assist people under international protection by providing job counselling, administrative liaison, soft skills development, and preparation for interviews. UNHCR also provides support for opening bank accounts.
Specialized language training
UNHCR and the Bosnia and Herzegovina Women's InitiativeLink is external have initiated a new language course focusing on professional needsLink is external in Bosnian, Croatian, and Serbian. Employers who want to hire refugees can refer to BHWI to customize the course to include specific vocabulary and use cases.
Read the Monthly Operational Updates on Mixed Movements in BiH
Read the monthly update series by UNHCR in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Read the UNHCR Participatory Assessment Report 2022