Understanding the obstacles to employment that displacement throws up is crucial if you want to work with refugee journalists. Your country will have specific legal requirements that employers must consider when hiring people with different forms of immigration status.

There are various types of immigration status that a displaced journalist might have. It’s essential to know the difference between them. Employers need to understand the documentation and checks required by law as these legal obligations apply to all types of employment – freelance, fixed-term contracts or permanent staff.

NB: The information below is specific to the UK. But other countries will have their own guidance.

Within the UK, an asylum seeker  is an individual who has left their home, is seeking sanctuary in another country and is usually awaiting a decision as to whether or not they will be granted refugee status. Generally, asylum seekers are not permitted to work in the UK. However, in some cases, if an asylum seeker has been waiting on a decision for over a year, they may be allowed to work while their application is being processed. If they can work, it will be stated on their Application Registration Card (ARC).

Asylum seekers permitted to work fall under the List 2, Group 2 category. For a person with an ARC stating, ‘employment permitted’ or ‘work allowed’, a check must still be carried out with the Home Office Employer Checking Service (ECS) to confirm that the cardholder can legally work.

A refugee is someone who has received a positive decision on their claim for asylum under the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. They have been granted leave to remain in the UK and are under a List A category, which means they are not subject to immigration control and can work in the UK in any employment type.

Displaced journalists may also have forms of immigration status other than the above. For example, they may have entered come to the UK via a bespoke program, such as the ones offered to Ukrainians or Hong Kongers, or under a general visa scheme such as a business visa. Some of these carry restrictions on working, some don’t. In all cases it’s important to know the rules.