For skilled refugees trying to rebuild their lives by relocating through employment opportunities, getting a job offer isn’t the only hurdle. Even after securing employment and navigating immigration requirements, many are stopped by one final, unexpected barrier: language testing.
Talent Beyond Boundaries (TBB) is a nonprofit organization that connects displaced people—doctors, engineers, teachers, tradespeople—with employers around the world who need their skills. Their model offers an alternative to traditional resettlement: instead of waiting in limbo, skilled refugees can move legally for work and begin rebuilding their lives in safety.
But as TBB has discovered, English proficiency tests—while often necessary—can become a roadblock instead of a gateway. Traditional tests are often expensive, require in-person attendance, and come with documentation requirements that are impossible for many refugees to meet. For some candidates, simply getting to a test center puts them at serious risk.
That’s why we partnered with TBB to support all of their English testing needs. Since early 2024, when TBB received operational approval to endorse candidates based on online testing, eight candidates have already moved forward with their applications using DET scores—and that number is growing.
Opening doors for people who can’t access a test center
The DET was designed to remove barriers. For many displaced individuals, that’s not a convenience—it’s a lifeline.
One candidate, an Eritrean man who was smuggled into Libya without documents, couldn’t meet the ID requirements of traditional test providers. For him, accessing an in-person test wasn’t just difficult—it was impossible. Another candidate, a woman from Pakistan currently in hiding in Iran, would face serious personal risk if she were to try and sit for an in-person exam.
For candidates like these, the Duolingo English Test (DET) isn't just a solution—it's the only option that keeps them safe while validating the language skills they've worked hard to develop.
Ibrahim’s story: “Now I can walk around freely”
When Ibrahim stepped off the plane in Australia earlier this year, he held his visa above his head with a smile and said, “Now I have papers—I can walk around freely, with no fears anymore.”
That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter—one defined not by displacement, but by opportunity. Ibrahim had faced forced displacement multiple times and endured years of instability. Yet through it all, he continued to develop his skills and study English, knowing that it could one day lead him to safety.
Thanks to TBB’s support—and a system that recognized his potential—Ibrahim is now employed as a laboratory technician and living in safety. His story is a testament to the impact of programs that treat refugees not as burdens, but as professionals with the right to thrive.
Ali’s story: From Kabul to Sydney’s infrastructure projects
Ali*, an Afghan engineer, was recently sponsored by a leading engineering firm to work as a site engineer on major infrastructure projects in Sydney. He arrived in July 2024 and is now settled in his new role.
For Ali, the DET offered a secure, accessible way to meet his migration requirements while keeping his family—who remain in Afghanistan—safe. Out of respect for their safety, he’s chosen to keep his identity private, but his journey is no less remarkable. His skills are now contributing to the essential infrastructure of a new country.
*Ali is an alias, the candidate’s name was changed to protect his identity.
A small change with a big impact
What makes this partnership so meaningful is its simplicity: removing a barrier. A single English test requirement—previously costly, logistically complicated, and in many cases, inaccessible—is now something TBB candidates can complete safely, affordably, and on their own time.
And the impact goes beyond just a test score. TBB now regularly uses the Duolingo English Test not only for visa applications, but also as a baseline assessment for candidates whose language levels are uncertain. Even when another test may be required later in the process, the DET provides a fast, accessible first step to determine whether someone is ready to begin the application journey.
When access unlocks everything else
Every migration journey comes with obstacles—but not every obstacle needs to stay in the way. At Duolingo, we’re proud to support Talent Beyond Boundaries and the extraordinary people they serve. Their work reminds us that when you remove a single barrier, you can unlock a future—and that’s a future worth fighting for.