Complementary Pathways
Complementary Pathways are safe routes for refugees and asylum-seekers to enter and stay in a third country, outside of resettlement. Each country sets their own criteria for acceptance through such opportunities. Refugees and asylum-seekers can apply directly, without needing a UNHCR referral. The role of UNHCR is to disseminate information on verified opportunities, criteria, and application processes. UNHCR does not refer individuals or process applications for these opportunities.
Most complementary pathways require an application to be initiated by a family member or friend already residing in the third country. If you are interested in a particular pathway or programme, ask your contact in the third country to reach out to their government or non-governmental organizations (NGOs) assisting refugees. If an application has been submitted, seek help from the relevant Embassy/High Commission.
Guidance on Exiting Malaysia
If your complementary pathway application to Australia has been accepted, please approach the UNHCR Office, Mondays to Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to find out how you can exit Malaysia.
If you have a successful complementary pathway application to a country other than Australia, please approach the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to learn about how they can facilitate your exit and departure to the third country. You can do so by contacting IOM Kuala Lumpur at +603 9235 5400 or approaching the IOM Office, Mondays to Fridays (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
When approaching UNHCR or IOM, you are required to present all supporting documentation on the application and its acceptance, as well as any official identity and travel-related documents if available, e.g. your national passport and the visa issued by the receiving country. IMPORTANT: Please do not reserve or purchase your flight ticket before you approach UNHCR or IOM. There are many steps to follow before you can exit Malaysia, and if they do not go as expected, your flight ticket might go to waste. As well, for IOM to facilitate your exit and departure, IOM must be the one to reserve and complete purchase for your flight ticket i.e. IOM’s packages for assistance must include reservation and purchase of flight tickets. Ultimately, reserving or purchasing your flight ticket before meeting UNHCR or IOM may mean losing the opportunity to access legal stay in a third country.
Family Reunification
The countries listed below offer family reunification opportunities for refugees. If you have a relative in any of these countries and you would like to understand how they can assist you in joining them through a family reunification programme, click on the respective country name for more information:
Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) Programme
Canada’s Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR) programme enables its citizens and permanent residents to assist refugees in relocating to Canada. Information is available on the websites of the Canadian Government and UNHCR Canada. You can also watch the Official Youtube video on the programme: Private Sponsorship of Refugees: Get the Facts!
Please however note that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has temporarily stopped accepting new applications from Groups of Five and Community Sponsors under the PSR Program. This measure will remain in effect until 31 December 2025. Sponsorship Agreement Holders are not affected by this pause. For more information, please visit: Temporary pause on intake of refugee sponsorship applications from groups of five and community sponsors – Canada.ca
In the meantime, UNHCR Malaysia continues to receive requests for proof of refugee status for “Groups of 5 (G5)” sponsorship applications already lodged before the pause. Please note that UNHCR Malaysia does not provide such proof or any letters. Instead, the Canadian Government verifies the refugee status of individuals with G5 applications in progress directly with UNHCR.
USA’s Private Sponsorship Program – Welcome Corps
The United States Government has announced the suspension of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP). This has also affected refugees in Welcome Corps processes. Click here for more information.
Australia’s Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP)
Australian citizens and their community may be able to assist refugees in relocating to Australia through Australia’s Special Humanitarian Programme (SHP). Additional information is available on the website of the Australian Government.
UNHCR Malaysia maintains regular communication with the Australian High Commission to support qualified refugees through the sponsorship process.
Third Country Education Opportunities
Some complementary pathways allow refugees to advance their education in a third country. The UNHCR Opportunities platform provides a list of accredited programmes for advanced studies, skills enhancement, and professional development available to refugees. Every programme listed on the platform has been verified by UNHCR. If you are interested in exploring opportunities to further your studies in Malaysia or another country, click here.
Please note that UNHCR does not support student visa applications. If you are accepted by a university outside of Malaysia, please contact the Embassy or High Commission of the host country to apply for your student visa.
Labour Mobility
Additional complementary pathways include labour mobility programmes. In such cases, a refugee obtains an employment offer from a company in a third country and receives support to travel and enter that country.
Certain organizations, such as Talent Beyond Boundaries and TalentLift (Canada), provide opportunities for refugees to create online work experience profiles and apply for jobs in third countries. Please note that these job positions can be highly competitive.
Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB)
For available opportunities, please visit the Talent Beyond Boundaries’ Opportunities page. To apply for a specific opportunity, you will need to register for the Talent Catalogue and then return to Opportunities page. Please note that registration with Talent Beyond Boundaries’ online platform and the use of TBB’s services are entirely free for all candidates.
TalentLift (Canada)
TalentLift (Canada) is a non-profit international recruitment agency supporting Canadian employers to hire refugees. Candidates can register on the talent platform to join a group of candidates looking for international employment and skilled visas to Canada.
Note: Registration in Talent Beyond Boundaries’ online platform and TBB’s services are free of charge for all candidates.
Train-To-Hire Pilot Project: Labour Mobility Pathway to Australia
Train-to-Hire Framework in the Asia-Pacific Region | IOM Australia
UNHCR and IOM are working together on a pilot project called “Train-To-Hire”, which explores a labour mobility pathway for skilled refugees to access employment opportunities in Australia.
The goal of this project is to provide selected candidates with skills training that will prepare them for jobs in specific sectors in Australia.
It is important to note:
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- Refugee participation to the ‘Train to Hire’ is free of charge.
- No one can pay to be selected or receive special treatment.
- IOM and UNHCR maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards fraud, corruption and all forms of misconduct.
- If anyone asks for money or favours in exchange for access to this programme, it is fraud and should be reported immediately. (See details at Fraud and Corruption | Refugee Malaysia).
Information on other labour mobility opportunities can be found on country-specific websites:
Australia: Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot
Canada: Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
Complementary Pathways Related Materials
Complementary Pathways Webinar