Resettlement
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Resettlement involves a voluntary, safe and regulated transfer of people in need of international protection from the country where they are registered (either with UNHCR or with host government authorities) to another country which has agreed to admit them as refugees.
Resettlement is intended as a long-term solution. It may offer a pathway for refugees to eventually become citizens in their new country, although the process can take several years. Refugees who are resettled are given the right to work and study, access to healthcare and other social services, and the necessary support to participate in local communities, including language classes.
Refugees do not apply for resettlement.
Resettlement is not a right and is not available to everyone granted refugee status. Resettlement places are limited and Resettlement States choose how many refugees to resettle.
UNHCR identifies refugees for resettlement in accordance with resettlement categories based on their protection needs. Resettlement States set the criteria which determine which refugees will be admitted to their country.
Identification for resettlement is not linked to the date of registration with UNHCR, nationality or any other profile.
| IMPORTANT! If anyone who works for UNHCR or partner organization asks for money or favours in lieu of resettlement, it is misconduct, report it! Report to the Inspector General’s Office at [email protected] If you need to report fraud or exploitation committed by a refugee or a community leader, you can email: [email protected] or submit an on-line complaint via ‘compliant form’ on Reporting fraud, exploitation or abuse – UNHCR India |
Frequently asked questions
Resettlement involves a voluntary, safe and regulated transfer of people in need of international protection from the country where they are registered (either with UNHCR or with host government authorities) to another country which has agreed to admit them as refugees.
Resettlement is available for refugees whose life, liberty, safety, health or fundamental human rights are at risk in the country where they sought refuge. UNHCR identifies refugees for resettlement in accordance with resettlement categories based on their protection needs. Resettlement States set the criteria which determine which refugees will be admitted to their country.
UNHCR staff or partner staff or community leaders or any member of the community or any other person CAN NOT promise resettlement to anyone. Refugee community leaders and community-based structures, such as committees, groups or clubs, have no role in facilitating or influencing access to services and assistance provided by UNHCR.
Refugees do not apply for resettlement. Resettlement is not a right and is not available to everyone granted refugee status. Thus, it cannot be requested or demanded as a right.
Resettlement is not automatic after residing in India for a certain amount of time and neither is living in India for considerable periods of time a criteria for Resettlement. In addition, the identification for resettlement is not linked to the date of registration with UNHCR, nationality or any other profile.
Refugee’s family and community links are considered where possible, but refugees cannot choose or decide to which country they will be referred for resettlement.
If your case is being considered by UNHCR for resettlement, you will be contacted by the Resettlement Unit at UNHCR and will be invited for an interview at the UNHCR office.
After your resettlement interview, the office (UNHCR) will assess your case. Based on the outcome, the office will contact you and inform whether you case has been transferred to a resettlement country, or not.
- If the resettlement case is not transferred to a resettlement country and you are advised that you are not currently eligible for resettlement, this means that you no longer have an active resettlement case.
- If your resettlement case is submitted to the resettlement country, it will be pending with the country till the authorities in the resettlement country decide on your case.
Once the case is submitted to a resettlement country, it is the resettlement country that processes and decides on the case. UNHCR cannot intervene in the process. Resettlement country will directly contact you in case of any update.
The final decision on the case after submission to the resettlement country is made by the resettlement country.
Resettlement country may directly contact you for any follow up via the contact details (email, phone) that you shared with UNHCR and/ or the resettlement country during your resettlement interview.
Resettlement is a process with many different steps and can take months or more than a year, depending on the resettlement country and its procedures. Some resettlement countries undertake further interviews with refugees after submission from UNHCR, and others do not. You will be required to undergo medical checks and receive further information from the resettlement country and IOM/TOLL prior to departure and exit formalities in India
You will be informed by IOM/TOLL to obtain an exit support letter from UNHCR to apply for grant of exit permit from India. Depending on the grant of exit permission, you will depart from India.
If your case is rejected by the resettlement country, you will be contacted by the resettlement country and/or UNHCR to inform you accordingly. This does not affect your refugee status in India. It also does not affect any other assistance that you may be receiving from UNHCR.
UNHCR may review your case, and based on the outcome, a limited number of cases may be considered for re-submission for resettlement (RST).
You have the right to withdraw your resettlement case; however, it will not automatically be considered for re-submission to another country and may result in your resettlement case being deactivated.
It is very important that you declare your family members during the resettlement process so that they are mentioned in UNHCR’s records. There is no guarantee that your family members will be able to join you in the resettlement country, as this will depend upon the legislation and criteria of the country. Many countries limit their family reunification criteria to nuclear family members and have financial requirements before you can bring your family members.
Yes. You will have the right to work in the resettlement country. Services and the levels of support provided vary between resettlement countries. However, generally, in the long term, resettled refugees will be expected to work in the resettlement country to support themselves and to allow for successful integration.