As the theme of this year’s World Refugee Day 2025 focuses on solidarity, not just in words but actions, we are proud to spotlight our Visa New Doors programme, part of Visa’s efforts to supporting forcibly displaced people across Europe. Our programme leverages our payment expertise to provide refugee entrepreneurs and small businesses with financial tools, skills and opportunities.
We recognise that the inclusion of refugees in their host countries can yield substantial benefits for displaced people, businesses and the economy, presenting wider opportunities for economic growth and integration. A study by the Tent Partnership for Refugees and the Open Political Economy Network¹ showed for every Euro invested in welcoming refugees, nearly two Euros in economic benefits are generated within five years.²
Empowering refugees through financial inclusion, acting as thought leaders
To mark 2025 World Refugee Day, we launched a report called 'Turning Potential into Prosperity', written by Business Fights Poverty in partnership with Visa. The report explores how breaking down barriers and enabling ecosystems can unlock refugee talent to fuel entrepreneurship and business growth across Europe.
The report identified four key pathways for entrepreneurs: access to finance, supportive regulation, access to business and markets, and social capital and networks. It emphasized the necessity to develop financial tools and services tailored for refugees and the importance of understanding existing provisions that enable refugees to effectively use financial products and services. In the last decade alone, the number of migrant business owners and entrepreneurs has nearly doubled, from 5% in 2013, to 8% in 2022.³
Supporting refugees through strategic partnerships
To further scale our impact, Visa recently announced an exciting strategic partnership with UK for UNHCR aimed at advancing refugee livelihoods and economic inclusion across Europe.
This initiative will closely support thousands of refugees in Poland and Greece in its first year, helping them build sustainable futures through access to training, jobs, and entrepreneurship enablement.
In France, Visa is working closely with Welcome Account to provide over 1,000 unbanked migrants - sourced by the NGO France Terre d’Asile - with Visa Debit Cards and access to digital banking.
While in Germany, our partnership with Publk has launched SocialCard, a Visa Debit card for the digital payout of social benefits to people without German bank accounts.
The card can be used for everyday purchases, cash withdrawals, and contactless payments, making access to benefits faster and easier while reducing administrative burdens for municipalities.
Spotlighting Women Entrepreneurs, Visa Everywhere Pioneers
Now in its third year, our Visa Everywhere Pioneers initiative shines a spotlight on women entrepreneurs with a refugee background across Europe. On the 20th of June, we announced the thirty winners of our 2025 competition, who will receive a total of €60,000 in microgrants, as well as business mentoring and brand visibility. These winners highlight stories of resilience, strength and determination that displaced women bring to their communities and local economies.
This gives us the opportunity to support women like one of our winners in 2024, small business owner Yelyzaveta Tataryna, who opened a vegan café in London staffed by refugee women. You can hear more about Yelyzaveta’s story in her own words, here.
Uplifting everyone, everywhere
At Visa we are continuing our efforts to pioneer new ways and programmes that can be tailored to the needs of forcibly displaced people around the world. We believe in empowering refugees to help individuals, communities, and economies thrive.
Our mission is to uplift everyone, everywhere, fostering a more inclusive and thriving global economy.
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Disclaimer: Case studies, comparisons, statistics, research and recommendations are provided “AS IS” and intended for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon for operational, marketing, legal, technical, tax, financial or other advice. Visa Inc. neither makes any warranty or representation as to the completeness or accuracy of the information within this document, nor assumes any liability or responsibility that may result from reliance on such information. The Information contained herein is not intended as investment or legal advice, and readers are encouraged to seek the advice of a competent professional where such advice is required.
- A study commissioned by Visa, written by Business Fights Poverty, called Turning Potential into Prosperity. The research is based on external and lived experience experts, desk research, and collaboration sessions, June 2025. Methodology: Our project approach focused on both primary and secondary research, complemented by collaborative sessions. BFP interviewed over 20 experts and reviewed approximately 40 articles, data sources, and reports
- Tent Tracker: Public Perceptions of the Refugee Crisis
- The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development