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The UNHCR Internship Programme 2027 is a paid internship with the UN Refugee Agency. Interns receive a monthly allowance for food, local transport and living costs, and your return travel is fully funded if you come from outside the country of the office.
Internships run for two to six months, can start at any time of year, and are open to students and recent graduates of every nationality. UNHCR does not charge a fee at any stage of recruitment. Applications from candidates with a refugee or stateless background are welcome.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency |
| Location | Geneva, Amman, Budapest, Copenhagen and field offices worldwide |
| Duration | 2 to 6 months, extendable |
| Funding | Paid: monthly allowance for food, transport and living costs, plus return travel |
| Who can apply | Students and graduates of the last two years, any nationality, English B2+ |
| Application fee | None |
| Deadline | Rolling, each internship has its own closing date |
What is the UNHCR Internship Programme?
UNHCR protects and supports people forced to flee their homes. Its internship programme gives students and recent graduates real experience in humanitarian work, linked to their studies and career goals.
Interns work at UNHCR headquarters in Geneva, at the Global Service Centres in Amman, Budapest and Copenhagen, or in field offices around the world. With their manager’s approval, some interns can work remotely. Each internship is advertised separately with its own tasks and closing date.
What you get
- A monthly allowance for food, local transport and living costs, if no outside sponsor pays you
- Full-time allowance: 50% of the UN General Service level 3 step 1 net monthly salary in “H” duty stations, and 70% in all other duty stations
- Part-time interns receive half the full-time rate
- Return travel to the duty station by the most economical route, if you are recruited from outside that country
- Remote internships are paid too
- Help with the documents you need for a visa
Interns pay their own visa costs and arrange their own medical insurance, with proof given to UNHCR before starting.
Who can apply
- A current student in an undergraduate or graduate programme, or a graduate of the last two years
- Studying at a university listed by UNESCO
- At least two years of undergraduate study completed, in a field relevant to UNHCR’s work
- English at B2 level or higher
- No parent, brother or sister working for UNHCR
- Has not already used the maximum internship time with UNHCR (8 months full-time, 12 months part-time)
Is there an age limit?
No age limit is listed. What matters is being a student or a graduate of the last two years.
Do I need IELTS or TOEFL?
No certificate is named, but you need English at B2 level or higher.
How long does the internship last?
Usually two to six months. It can be extended up to eight months full-time or twelve months part-time, counting any earlier UNHCR internship.
Is there an application fee?
No. UNHCR never charges a fee for applications, interviews, travel, processing or training.
Required documents
- An account on the UNHCR recruitment platform, with your profile filled in
- Details of your studies, showing you are a current student or graduated in the last two years
- Proof of valid medical insurance before the internship starts, if you are selected
How to write your application
- Pick internships that match your studies. Explain the link in two or three lines.
- Give examples of work with people from other cultures: volunteering, community projects, student groups.
- Show the skills the vacancy lists, such as data, writing or logistics, with one concrete result each.
- Keep it short and clear. Managers read many profiles for each post.
How to apply, step by step
- Read the internship page and FAQs on the UNHCR website.
- Create an account on the main UNHCR recruitment platform.
- Search for current internship vacancies. Some country offices also post internships on their own websites.
- Apply to the internships that fit your studies before each closing date.
Selection process
Internships are offered based on the needs of each office and its capacity to receive and supervise interns. Each office reviews the applications for its own vacancies.
Deadline
Deadline: rolling. Each internship has its own closing date.
New internships are added to the UNHCR platform regularly, so check back often.
Have a question?
Ask in the comments and we’ll help where we can.
Related reading
- UNICEF Internship Programme 2026/27 (Paid, Monthly Stipend)
- WHO Internship Programme 2027 (Paid, Switzerland and Worldwide)
- UNU Junior Fellows Internship 2027 in Tokyo, Japan (Paid)
- UN Young Professionals Programme 2026 (Paid UN Career, Apply by 30 Nov)
- Paid Internships in Switzerland 2026/27: 7 Global Organizations in Geneva
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