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Empowering refugees in Europe
Visa New Doors aims to create the independence and opportunity for newcomers to thrive
What is Visa New Doors?
Visa New Doors is helping displaced people thrive.
The number of refugees across Europe has drastically increased in recent years, with figures estimated at almost 25 million in 2024.¹ As refugees continue to grapple with the trauma and uncertainty of displacement, this rapid surge in numbers has put pressure on the support services and resources of the host countries, supporting businesses, and NGOs across Europe.
But there are potential opportunities for economic growth and integration. Investing in the inclusion of refugees into their host countries and supporting refugee entrepreneurs can create benefits for businesses and the wider economy. At Visa, we’re leveraging our expertise in payments and financial services to provide refugees with the financial tools they need, and to empower them with skills, opportunities, and support to help them thrive.
How we’re supporting refugees
Through the Visa New Doors programme, we’re working to support newcomers in their journey from surviving to thriving — by empowering them with skills, opportunities, and support. We’re working with partners across a range of initiatives that support displaced people to become entrepreneurs, and help refugee-led SMBs to grow.
Financial solutions
We’re driving access to financial products and solutions that will help refugees to thrive.
Working with Publk, we developed SocialCard — an innovative digital payout solution that allows refugees in Germany to quickly and easily access social benefits without the need for a local bank account — with the goal of issuing 1.2 million prepaid SocialCards between 2024 and 2028.
Driving progress for displaced people across Europe
Visa Everywhere Pioneer 20
Visa Everywhere Pioneer 20 is an initiative that honours a diverse group of entrepreneurial refugee women each year who have made a positive impact in their respective fields — providing a platform for them to tell their stories.
What it means to them
Hear from the latest cohort of Visa Everywhere Pioneer 20 on what the programme means to them.
The Pioneers' stories
From learning new languages to navigating the challenges of the business world, the Visa Everywhere Pioneer 20 winners have each demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. See the women tell their own stories.
Our partners
If you want to go fast, go alone — but if you want to go far, go together.
Our network of partners across Europe is enabling us to act as a flywheel for an entire ecosystem of support built around displaced people. Visa is working alongside these strategic partners to amplify our impact. While we may each work in different spaces and at different scales, together we’re dedicated to helping newcomers thrive.
TERN
SINGA
Tent Partnership for Refugees
Powering financial inclusion
Find out more about what Visa is doing to help open doors for individuals, entrepreneurs and communities in Europe.
