Adult refugees often struggle in the host country’s job market, largely because of a lack of destination-specific human capital. This study examined the educational pathways of adult refugees who arrived in Sweden between 2000 and 2006, following them over a 10-year period. Applying sequence analysis to longitudinal register data, five typical patterns emerged: (1) exclusion, characterized by labor market inactivity; (2) short-term language course enrollment and early entry into the formal labor market; (3) mixed employment; (4) long-term participation in municipal adult education and late entry to the formal labor market; and (5) emigration. A multinomial logit model showed significant differences between those in exclusion and early career pathways. Women and individuals with lower education, who were older, or were from countries with low Human Development Index values had a higher average probability of following the exclusion pathway, while men and those with higher education, who were younger, or were from European countries often followed the early career pathway. These findings highlight the role of structural factors — including discrimination and gender norms — in shaping the labor market integration of specific groups of refugees. The results of this research also challenge policies that tend to overlook refugees’ diverse backgrounds and trajectories.