Resettlement is one of the existing tools to provide protection and support to some particularly vulnerable refugees. For more information on the resettlement process, please consult the dedicated page on UNHCR website.
Resettlement to Italy
The decision on the resettlement of refugees in Italy lies with the Italian Government. UNHCR is in no way involved in the final selection of refugees included in the Italian resettlement programme. Refugees cannot directly apply for resettlement. Refugees considered eligible for resettlement are contacted directly by the Office in the country where they are located. If you are a refugee or asylum seeker already in Italy or the EU you are not eligible to be considered for resettlement to Italy.
Resettlement from Italy to other Countries
UNHCR Italy does not process cases of refugees recognized in Italy for resettlement to other countries.
Humanitarian Corridors
The Humanitarian Corridors are a private sponsorship project, resulting from the collaboration of a number of Italian faith-based associations – Comunità di S. Egidio, Federazione delle Chiese Evangeliche, Tavola Valdese and Conferenza Episcopale Italiana – Caritas Italiana – and the Italian authorities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Interior).
The project foresees that the organizations identify in the country of first asylum (currently for refugees and asylum-seekers in Lebanon, Ethiopia, Niger and Jordan), refugees or persons in need of international protection with serious vulnerabilities to be legally transferred to Italy, where they are received by the same organizations and supported by them in the integration process. If you are present in Italy, you cannot be considered for a humanitarian corridor to Italy.
There are no Humanitarian Corridors from Italy to other countries.
Once in Italy, the people selected by the associations apply for asylum to the Italian authorities, to be recognized as refugees. In the meantime, the beneficiaries of the project are housed in accommodation managed by the organizations, which take care of their sustenance and integration process.
Evacuations / Humanitarian Corridors from Libya
The evacuation / Humanitarian Corridors from Libya project is a project for the legal and safe transfer to Italy of people in need of international protection who are in Libya. It was established by an agreement signed in December 2023 between UNHCR, the Community of Sant’Egidio, the Federation of Evangelical Churches, the Waldensian Table, ARCI, and the Italian authorities (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of the Interior).
The project provides for the transfer of 1,500 highly vulnerable people in clear need of international protection, identified by UNHCR in Libya, to Italy over three years. Of these 1,500 people, 900 will be hosted by the organizations – Community of Sant’Egidio, Federation of Evangelical Churches, Waldensian Table, and ARCI – under a community sponsorship scheme, while the remaining 600 will be accommodated in SAI projects.
Once in Italy, the people selected by the associations apply for asylum to the Italian authorities, to be recognized as refugees. In the meantime, the beneficiaries of the project are housed in accommodation managed by the organizations, which take care of their sustenance and integration process.
There are no Evacuations / Humanitarian Corridors from Italy to other countries.
UNICORE – University Corridors for Refugees
The UNICORE – University Corridors for Refugees – project, launched in 2019, is promoted by Italian Universities with the support of UNHCR, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Caritas Italiana, Diaconia Valdese, Centro Astalli and other partners.
The project aims to increase opportunities for refugees currently residing in various African countries (for the 2024/2025 edition, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe) to continue their university studies in Italy. If you are a refugee in Ethiopia, you can find more information on how to apply here.
If you are a refugee or asylum-seeker already in Italy, you are not eligible for the UNICORE programme. For information on how refugees and asylum-seekers in Italy can access university programmes and scholarships please see the information on Education in Italy.
Progetto Mediterraneo
The Mediterranean Project is a project promoted by the Luiss Guido Carli University of Rome – in partnership with UNHCR, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of the Interior – which has made available 23 scholarships for refugee students – 10 from Jordan, 10 from Morocco and 3 from Malta – who wish to pursue a degree in Italy after completing their high school studies. If you are a refugee or asylum-seeker already in Italy, you are not eligible to apply for this programme. For information on how refugees and asylum-seekers in Italy can access university programmes and scholarships please see the information on Education in Italy.
Currently, the selection process is completed, and no new arrivals in Italy are expected.
Progetto Pagella In Tasca
The project “PAGELLA IN TASCA – Channels of study for refugee minors“, promoted by INTERSOS, with the participation of UNHCR and other partners, is aimed at creating a legal and safe channel of entry for 35 unaccompanied refugee children in Niger, so that they can have the opportunity to come to Italy to study. For more information on this initiative, visit the project website.
If you are a refugee or asylum-seeker already in Italy, you are not eligible to apply for this programme. For information on how refugees and asylum-seekers in Italy can access education opportunities, please see the information on Education in Italy.