I have a resettlement case and I need more information

No, you cannot choose which country your resettlement case would be submitted to. UNHCR assesses the specific circumstances of each refugee under resettlement consideration, the resettlement countries’ criteria and available resettlement places to determine which country to submit each case to.

UNHCR will be in touch with you during the different stages of the resettlement process. It is important that you contact UNHCR through the National call center 📞04726111 to inform if you change your phone number, move to a different address, or there any changes in your family circumstances, such as, marriage, divorce, birth, death.

If you have been interviewed by UNHCR’s resettlement team and have not received an update after three months, you can inquire on the status of your resettlement case through the National Call Center at 📞04726111.  

No. Even if your case is identified for resettlement, it will take a long time, sometimes years, for the process to be completed. Due to limited quotas and specific requirements for these quotas, having a referral or an interview with a resettlement staff member does not guarantee a submission or your resettlement.

UNHCR encourages refugees identified for resettlement not to take action to leave their homes, sell their belongings, stop working, or take their children out of school until they have been notified of a confirmed resettlement departure date.

Having a work permit, being employed, or enrolled in school, does not affect your resettlement case or the assistance you may be receiving from UNHCR or its partners. On the contrary, work experience and additional education will help refugees whether in Lebanon or in the resettlement country integrate and live in dignity.

UNHCR is responsible for the identification, initial interview, and submission of your resettlement case. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is responsible for departure arrangements and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) is engaged in the processing of cases submitted for resettlement to the USA.

Resettlement is generally a very long process for all the persons concerned. The processing time varies from country to country, due to different immigration laws, priorities and resources. It is very hard to predict how long it may take from the time a resettlement interview with UNHCR has been completed to the time of departure. Issues such as birth, marriage, pregnancy, divorce and custody, registration, and deaths have to be properly assessed and resolved before resettlement can happen.

It may take many months or several years, depending on the resettlement country and its procedures. Some resettlement countries may also undertake additional interviews, after the initial one with refugees in the resettlement pipeline. You will be required to undergo medical checks and will receive further information from the resettlement country and IOM prior to departure.

UNHCR will be in contact with you during the different stages of the resettlement process, but it is important to be patient. It is important that you know that the resettlement country may decide not to accept your case, which means that UNHCR’s submission does not guarantee departure.

UNHCR identifies refugees who may need resettlement and interviews them to collect the information that a resettlement country will require. However, the final decision on whether or not to accept someone for resettlement is made by resettlement countries and not by UNHCR.

Resettlement countries also apply specific criteria and policies which may prevent UNHCR from referring certain types of cases to them. If a resettlement country rejects your resettlement case, UNHCR will continue to provide you with assistance and protection in Lebanon for as long as UNHCR considers that you need international protection.

ATTENTION!  Requesting your case to be withdrawn does not mean it will be re-submitted to another country and it can result in your resettlement case being closed.

Resettlement places are very limited, and withdrawals result in missed opportunities for many vulnerable refugees.

UNHCR regularly counsels refugees on their resettlement case status. If you have received a call from UNHCR stating that your file is not considered for resettlement, this means you do not currently have an active resettlement case. This does not affect your situation in Lebanon regarding UNHCR’s protection or any assistance that you may be receiving from UNHCR and its partners.

If your case is rejected by the resettlement country, you will be contacted by the resettlement country and/or UNHCR to inform you about the decision and explain what it means to you.

UNHCR will re-assess your case and decide if there is a possibility for your case to be re-submitted, but only a small number of cases are re-submitted to another country.  You will be informed by UNHCR if your case is eligible for resubmission.

If your resettlement case is rejected by the resettlement country, this does not affect your situation in Lebanon as a refugee under UNHCR’s protection. It also does not affect any assistance that you may be receiving from UNHCR.

It is very important that you declare your family members, especially nuclear family members, such as spouses and children under 18 during the resettlement process so that they are contained in UNHCR’s records. There is no guarantee that your family members will be able to join you in the resettlement country later, as this will depend on the legislation and criteria of your new country of residence.

Many countries limit the family reunification criteria to nuclear family members and have socio-economic requirements that must be met before you can sponsor your family members to join.

Family reunification procedures are generally initiated by refugees by applying to the respective immigration authorities after they settle in the resettlement country. UNHCR is not involved in this process.

Please visit the page of frequently asked questions on family unification for more information. 

Yes. You will have the right to work in the resettlement country. Services and the levels of support provided vary between resettlement countries. Resettled refugees will be expected to work in the resettlement country to support themselves and to allow for successful integration.

You can provide UNHCR with updates on your circumstances during interviews with UNHCR or by calling the UNHCR National Call Center at 📞04726111 to verify information regarding the status of your case. Should UNHCR require any additional information or documentation for your resettlement case, the resettlement team will reach out to you directly. Once again, it is very important to keep your contact information updated so the team can reach you if needed.

Your personal data including your name, biographic information and reasons why you may be considered in need of international protection are protected by UNHCR policy and will not be shared with anyone without your authorization.

No. All services provided by UNHCR, including resettlement, are free of charge. If you are asked by anyone to pay money or provide any favors in connection with resettlement – this is FRAUD – do not believe them.

UNHCR, other partners and governments in the resettlement process, do not charge any money from refugees in the resettlement or any other process. 

Protect yourself and your family from fraud.

If you or anyone you know has been asked to pay for any of these services, please report:

• By phone: the UNHCR National Call Center at 📞04726111
• Through 🗎 the Online Contact Form

You can also report to fraud, corruption, sexual abuse or exploitation, or other misconduct, directly to UNHCR Inspector General Office:

• By confidential email:📧[email protected]
• By using the online complaint form
• By post: 📬Rue de Montbrillant 94, 1201 Genève, Switzerland

Important:

• Please note that filing a complaint will not in any way impact your case with UNHCR.
• Complaints may be anonymous.
• In your complaint, please provide all facts and evidence known to you.
• Your report and all communication with UNHCR will be kept strictly confidential.