According to the report, Safe path for refugees – announced on Monday – nearly 215,000 permits were issued to individuals displaced by conflict and crisis by 37 OECD countries and Brazil in 2022, an increase of about 38% compared to 2021.
About 156,000 licenses were issued that year, while the 2020 figure was about 127,000.
The report focuses on entry permits provided to individuals from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Syria and Venezuela by OECD countries and Brazil.
Overall, Europe accounts for 56% of total licenses, with the Americas accounting for 39%. Germany and Canada provided the largest number of work, study and family reunification permits to refugees from seven nationalities.
Family gathering
Notably, family reunification permits accounted for more than 50% of all permits issued in 2022, with work and study permits also showing steady increases.
Ruven Menikdiwela, UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Protection, emphasize the importance of these additional enrollments amid increasing global mobility.
“With most of the world’s refugees residing in developing regions, these forms of asylum Additional admissions to third countries could help protect them bettergive them the opportunity to contribute to their new community and reduce pressure on over-stressed host countries.”
She also emphasized the importance of family reunification permits, saying that alongside human rights, it is encouraging to see that family reunification remains the most trusted solution from third countries.
Safe and legal route
The senior UNHCR official also commended the efforts of governments and partners to ensure refugees have access to safe and legal pathways, in line with the agency’s objectives. Roadmap 2030.
The roadmap envisions expanding third-country solutions to achieve 2.1 million additional enrollments by 2030, with 35% of this target achieved through progress achieved by 2022.
It also highlights the importance of improving data collection to inform policy decisions and increasing the inclusion of refugees in regular migration flows.
It calls for sustained collaborative efforts between countries and stakeholders to ensure refugees can access safe and sustainable pathways to rebuild their lives.
