Resettlement

Resettlement Identification is done regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, marital status, education, level, social status, nationality or religion. Yet, in order to be identified for Resettlement, you need to meet the Resettlement criteria.

No refugee is automatically entitled to be considered for Resettlement after living a certain number of years in their country of asylum.

Considering Resettlement criteria and the limited Resettlement places, not everyone who wants to be resettled will be resettled. The other two durable solutions – voluntary repatriation and local integration – are equally considered in each refugee’s situation.

Each year, Resettlement Countries decide how they will allocate Resettlement places among the millions of refugees throughout the world, and UNHCR can only process cases for Resettlement submission within existing limits. Refugees must therefore be realistic about the chances of being submitted for Resettlement by UNHCR.

The resettlement countries, and not UNHCR, make the final decision concerning the resettlement of a refugee.

Refugees do not apply for resettlement. Cases are identified through the information gathered by UNHCR through a variety of channels.

UNHCR identifies refugees based on their protection needs and continuously reviews the situation of highly vulnerable families to assess whether they meet resettlement criteria.

Resettlement is not a right and is not available to everyone granted refugee status. Places are limited and Resettlement Countries choose how many refugees to resettle.

There is no application process for resettlement.

UNHCR identifies refugees for Resettlement Consideration on an ongoing basis. When identifying
refugees who can be submitted for Resettlement, UNHCR’s focus is on those refugees in South Africa/Namibia/Botswana who have specific protection needs and vulnerabilities, and who meet the Resettlement criteria. However, you should understand that the identification of a refugee as being particularly vulnerable does not necessarily mean that the refugee is either eligible for or in need of Resettlement. Resettlement is only one option that UNHCR considers addressing a refugee’s particular needs.

UNHCR decides to submit a case for Resettlement only after conducting an in-depth assessment of the individual and his/her family’s particular situation.

In accordance with its current procedures, UNHCR does not accept self-referrals/ “resettlement applications” from refugees.

UNHCR only identifies cases for Resettlement Consideration to Resettlement Countries. The authorities of the Resettlement Countries make the decision as to whether a refugee will be accepted for Resettlement.

Each Resettlement Country has its own regulations and procedures for the Resettlement of refugees. These include medical screenings, security clearances and, in some cases, a further interview with the Immigration Authorities of the country of Resettlement.

No. Protection Intake interviews, Profiling interviews, open consultations in UNHCR offices, or other counselling with UNHCR staff aim to provide a general assessment of an individual refugee’s situation and not for Resettlement.

If you are considered for Resettlement, you will be specifically contacted by UNHCR Resettlement Unit. If you are not contacted, that means you are not being considered for Resettlement at this time.

You should not assume that you have a Resettlement case or else have been considered for Resettlement, unless you are interviewed by a UNHCR resettlement staff member who informs you that you are invited to a Resettlement Interview and all aspects of Resettlement processing will then be explained to you.

If following the Resettlement Interview, your case is positively assessed and meets the Resettlement criteria, it will be submitted to the Resettlement Country, and you will be notified.

• Step 1: The case is submitted to the most suitable Resettlement Country.
• Step 2: The Resettlement Country will assess the refugee’s case and may conduct interview(s) based on which a decision to accept or reject the case is made by the Resettlement Country.
• Step 3: A final decision is issued to the refugee by the Resettlement Country.
• Step 4: If accepted, each family member will undergo medical and security screenings
• Step 5: A cultural orientation is arranged
• Step 6: Travel Arrangements are made by IOM upon receiving notice from the Resettlement country.
• Step 7: Reception and Integration in the country of Resettlement is provided for refugees arriving in the Resettlement country.

No. Final decisions regarding Resettlement to a Resettlement Country are done by the Governments of the Resettlement Countries. As such, there is no guarantee your case will be accepted for Resettlement until this is pronounced by the Resettlement Country.

Additionally, Resettlement is a long process and if your case is accepted for Resettlement, job skills and education, including language skills, will be of fundamental importance in the Resettlement Country. Your skills will help you to better integrate once you are resettled!

UNHCR will inform you if or when your case is submitted to a Resettlement Country. We recommend that you wait at least three months from the date of your Resettlement Interview to inquire on the status of your case if you are not given any updates. However, note that the Resettlement process after the case has been submitted to the Resettlement Country varies between months and sometimes even years.

• If you wish to inquire about the status of your Resettlement Case at any time during the process: Resettlement Counselling is provided virtually every last Wednesday of the month. First, you have to register your name with the security guard by the UNHCR office in the camp to see consult with a resettlement officer on the same day. You will be scheduled and allocated a timeslot. Please check the notice board regularly!
• Refugees with cases submitted to the USA Resettlement Admissions Programme can get updates on their cases by sending an email to: [email protected]

If your case is found not to meet the Resettlement criteria and hence cannot be submitted for Resettlement at this time, you will be informed by UNHCR.

There is no appeal system if your case is found not to need Resettlement by UNHCR.

You should inform UNHCR as soon as possible.

In case of changes in your family composition and/or in case you change your phone number; you should inform UNHCR, particularly the registration office. Such consultations are conducted every Wednesday from 2pm till 5pm. Remember to bring all relevant documentation including marriage, birth or death certificates.

During the interviews UNHCR and representatives from the Resettlement Country will ask the refugee detailed questions about his/her history and background related to their country of origin and country of asylum.

It is very important that the information provided is truthful, clear, accurate and complete. The Resettlement Country will rely on this information when considering your case, assessing your credibility and determining whether you qualify for Resettlement in that country. For this reason, you must tell the truth during all your interviews and not withhold any information which could be relevant to your Resettlement case.

Refugees with cases submitted to the US Resettlement Admissions Programme can get updates on their cases by sending an email to: [email protected]

All Resettlement files that are processed by UNHCR are kept strictly confidential.
UNHCR will request refugees whose cases are submitted for Resettlement Consideration to sign a declaration authorizing UNHCR to share all information and any documents pertaining to them and their family members with government officials from the Resettlement Country.

The entire Resettlement process is complex and involves many steps; it takes a long time, and especially considering current further travel restrictions due to health hazards or pandemic (COVID-19).

Refugees should therefore be patient while their case is being processed. Be patient and prepared to wait for a final decision and departure formalities, if accepted.

Resettlement counselling is conducted on the last Wednesday of every month for those with active resettlement cases.

At 8:00 a.m. on the last Wednesday of the month, names of refugees interested in counselling are registered at the UNHCR gate on a first come first serve basis until the list has 20 names. The 20 registered persons will then be counselled virtually by a colleague based in South Africa starting from 9:00 a.m.

If there are any changes to this program, the UNHCR office will put up notices around the camp or indicate changes on this ‘Help’ page.

RESETTLEMENT IS FREE OF CHARGE

Refugees should not pay anyone to refer their case for Resettlement. All services provided by UNHCR, and its implementing partners are FREE OF CHARGE.

Please notify UNHCR if anyone tries to charge money for Resettlement.

UNHCR does not tolerate fraud and corruption. UNHCR is committed to combating fraud and corruption in order to preserve the integrity and credibility of the Resettlement process.

Any refugee who attempts to commit fraud relating to his/her Resettlement case may be permanently disqualified from Resettlement under UNHCR auspices.

Examples of such fraud would include giving false information about your background; claiming a false identity or attempting to substitute yourself for another person; attempting to add a person onto your case who is not a genuine member of your family; paying money for Resettlement services; the unauthorized use of UNHCR’s name and logo.