Resettlement

No. You do not have a right to be resettled and many refugees in Indonesia and around the world will not be resettled. UNHCR understands that this is frustrating and disappointing. Remaining active while you are in Indonesia by continuing your education, learning new skills, engaging with the community, and using your interests and abilities in a positive way will better position you for a sustainable solution in the future, whether that be through complementary pathways, returning to your home country if you desire, or another solution that you are able to pursue.   

Resettlement was established to provide a solution for the most vulnerable refugees around the world. UNHCR and Resettlement States have agreed on very broad vulnerability criteria as an initial tool to identify eligible refugees in an objective and transparent manner. In addition to those broad criteria, individual States may have other criteria that they request UNHCR to apply when identifying cases. Finally, UNHCR must also consider the limited number of places available. While many refugees around the world, and in Indonesia, are vulnerable and meet the broad resettlement criteria, the limited number of resettlement places available means that UNHCR must prioritize those who are the MOST vulnerable for resettlement consideration. 

When identifying and prioritizing cases for submission, UNHCR considers all the information available about you and your family to determine whether your submission should be prioritized within the limited number of resettlement spaces provided to Indonesia each year. The most important consideration is the extent of your specific vulnerabilities in Indonesia. We must also assess your case against any additional criteria set by resettlement countries when determining whether and where you can be submitted.  

You cannot identify yourself for resettlement. If UNHCR assesses that you should be prioritized for resettlement consideration, we will contact you. 

As per Presidential Regulation 2016, there is no distinction made in Indonesia between refugees and asylum-seekers in terms of their treatment by the Government. There is also no distinction in the assistance provided by UNHCR to refugees and asylum-seekers.   

Resettlement is a solution available for refugees. As such, only those who have undergone RSD and who have been recognized as a refugee can be resettled. However, your asylum seeker status does not prevent you from being identified for resettlement. If any asylum-seeker is found to be in need of resettlement, or if an asylum seeker finds an opportunity on a complementary pathway that requires refugee status, UNHCR will conduct refugee status determination for you on a priority so your solution can be pursued.     

Asylum-seekers should NOT approach UNHCR asking for RSD in order to be considered for resettlement. If we consider that you are in need of resettlement, we will contact you to undergo an RSD.  

While UNHCR identifies refugees for resettlement consideration and interviews them to assess their eligibility for resettlement, the final decision to accept a refugee for resettlement rests with resettlement countries. 

Resettlement countries are not required to offer resettlement places. They voluntarily provide resettlement quotas each year.  Some countries place restrictions on who can be resettled in those countries as a result of government policies, housing availability, and other considerations. While UNHCR continually advocates for the most inclusive criteria possible, resettlement States have every right to set criteria on who they will admit into their country.  

Yes. Because there are so many refugees in need of resettlement and so few spaces, refugees who are violent or who act in violation of Indonesian law are unlikely to be prioritized for consideration by resettlement States. Overnighting outside UNHCR and partner offices, blocking entrances to UNHCR offices and the reception center, and behaving in an abusive, aggressive, or violent manner may render you ineligible for resettlement.

If family members, friends, smugglers, or others told you that you would automatically be resettled if you come to Indonesia, they were incorrect. As UNHCR has continually communicated, resettlement is not a right and not all refugees in Indonesia will be resettled. 

UNHCR understands that this information is very frustrating for refugees and asylum seekers who traveled to Indonesia with an understanding that they would be able to access a resettlement country. However, this is the reality. 

Not necessarily. UNHCR prioritizes heightened vulnerability when considering cases for resettlement. Health is one marker of vulnerability, but there are many other types of extreme vulnerabilities and protection needs that merit resettlement consideration. Resettlement countries provide specific criteria for a case to be considered for resettlement under a medical needs category. They also limit the number of cases with a serious medical condition that can be submitted each year. As a result, very few refugees with a medical condition will be referred for resettlement.  

Not necessarily. The fact that you are receiving cash assistance does not mean that UNHCR considers you to be eligible for resettlement. Heightened socio-economic needs are assessed as part of a refugee’s overall vulnerability when determining eligibility for resettlement. 

UNHCR Indonesia prioritizes refugees for resettlement based on vulnerability and protection needs. Length of stay in Indonesia can be one of the considerations when assessing resettlement eligibility. However, the fact that you have been in Indonesia for a long time does not alone qualify you for resettlement. Resettlement opportunities are limited and will not be available for all refugees in Indonesia. 

No, this is not correct. Single men who are assessed to have heightened vulnerabilities and protection needs are also considered for resettlement. As with all cases, we must prioritize the most vulnerable according to the number of resettlement spaces available.  

Yes. Refugees may also travel safely to and obtain a solution in a third country through complementary pathways. Information on complementary pathways is available on the the HELP website.  

You should be able to remain in Indonesia until a solution is available – whether that be in a third country or in your country of origin. Remaining active while you are in Indonesia by continuing your education, learning new skills, engaging with the community, and using your interests and abilities in a constructive way will empower you, will ensure your time in Indonesia is as positive as possible, and will better position you for a sustainable solution in the future.  

No. UNHCR considers all relevant factors before deciding on the resettlement country to which you will be submitted, including your family situation, family links in third countries, and the quotas available in the resettlement countries.   

Each resettlement country has its own decision-making process, and each case is different. Some refugees get a decision in six months while others wait for years. Therefore, it is difficult to give an accurate timeframe.  You will be informed once a decision has been made on your case. We will not be able to provide any updates until then. 

Resettlement countries have their own decision-making process and the timeframe to make a decision differs from case to case. UNHCR cannot influence the decision-making process of resettlement countries. However, UNHCR follows up with resettlement countries on a regular basis regarding the update on refugees submitted for resettlement, and advocates to speed up the process whenever possible. 

Re-submission is not automatic, and every case is assessed on a case-by-case basis. UNHCR will decide whether your case will be re-submitted according to UNHCR criteria and the available quotas of resettlement countries. Only a small number of cases can be re-submitted to another country. 

Your travel date will depend on the results of medical examinations and security background checks by the resettlement country. The resettlement country will also need to prepare for your arrival, including identifying individuals and organizations that can help you settle, housing, language courses, and cultural orientations. On average, departure takes place within six months of acceptance.  However, each case is different and the length of time required to finalize a case of departure varies.  

Currently, there are no vaccine requirements for refugees who are departing on resettlement to a third country. Your resettlement case will not be impacted by the fact that you have or have not received vaccinations.   

However, medical professionals from around the world have repeatedly stressed that vaccines authorized by the World Health Organization (WHO) have been thoroughly tested and found safe and effective in preventing severe COVID-19. Not receiving the vaccine may make you more vulnerable to severe illness.  

If you are not eligible for resettlement, UNHCR is unable to refer your case to a resettlement country. However, this does not mean that you are no longer a refugee. You will continue to receive international protection and assistance services from UNHCR. 

If you have a change in your family, please inform UNHCR immediately so we can make any necessary changes to your resettlement submission. Failure to inform us quickly may result in delays in your case. 

Polygamy is unlawful in nearly all resettlement countries and therefore refugees cannot be resettled if they are intending to continue a polygamous marriage. Each family will be counselled individually by UNHCR about their resettlement prospects and the family will need to consider the best arrangements for the spouses and their children.