What is resettlement, and how can I access it?

Resettlement is not a right. State resettlement programs are voluntary and humanitarian in nature and there is no international obligation on behalf of States to resettle refugees.

Resettlement countries decide and offer limited spaces for resettlement. This means that most refugees will not be considered for resettlement to another country even if, in some cases, UNHCR believes it would be necessary for their protection or to reunite them with family members. UNHCR will prioritize the most urgent cases for resettlement submission.

Globally, the resettlement needs are high, but the available slots are limited. It is considered that resettlement benefits less than 1% of the refugee population worldwide.

No, you cannot apply for resettlement. Resettlement through UNHCR is not initiated by application. UNHCR identifies people who have specific protection needs in the country where they are registered, and in their home country, usually because of threats to their life, freedom or physical safety, or other serious violations of human rights.

There is no need to approach the UNHCR office in person or to send letters, faxes or emails to apply for resettlement as it will not trigger resettlement consideration. It is, however, very important to keep your contact details updated with UNHCR and to keep UNHCR informed of any changes to your circumstances, so that the office can arrange an appointment with you whenever required.

UNHCR’s identification of refugees for resettlement is based on resettlement categories. These globally set resettlement categories are related to protection risks that refugees are facing and that cannot be resolved through services in Lebanon (ex: children at risk, persons who have survived violence and continue to suffer from implications, persons needing life-saving medical treatment that is not available/ accessible in Lebanon, etc.).  Identification for resettlement is not linked to the date of arrival to Lebanon or registration with UNHCR or the refugee’s nationality.

UNHCR identifies refugees based on their protection needs and continuously reviews the situation of highly vulnerable families to assess whether they meet resettlement criteria. The assessment of protection needs is based on credible information received from refugees during their interactions with UNHCR and/or partners.

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 a limited option, one of many that UNHCR and partners  use to address a refugee’s vulnerabilities.

New or urgent protection, health, or other concerns, should be reported to UNHCR through the National Call Center 📞04726111 or at your next renewal appointment at UNHCR reception or through a partner organization.

Protection and health concerns will be addressed by the respective units and will only be referred for resettlement consideration if your situation meets the resettlement criteria. You should not assume that your case is being processed for resettlement unless the UNHCR resettlement team contacts you and explicitly informs you that you are being considered for resettlement.

Private visa procedures through Embassies are different than resettlement procedures through UNHCR. If you applied for immigration or other migration opportunities directly with an Embassy, UNHCR will generally not have any information on the status of your application.

Family reunification programs and eligibility criteria are set and managed by the individual countries. Applications to access these programs are not submitted through UNHCR, but through the procedures established by that specific country.

If you wish to join your family members in another country, you need to consult the country’s rules and legislation about family reunification. Please visit the page of frequently asked questions on family reunification for 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.

If your case is identified for resettlement consideration, you will be contacted by UNHCR and invited for an interview with the resettlement team. If you are interviewed, there is no guarantee that you will be resettled.

After the interview, if your case is found to be eligible for resettlement and your case is submitted to a resettlement country for consideration, you will receive a phone call from UNHCR, informing you about the submission of your case, specifying the country.

UNHCR will contact you by phone about each stage of the resettlement process. Therefore, it is very important you keep UNHCR updated in case you change your contact number.

ATTENTION! At no point you will be asked to pay for Resettlement! ALL UNHCR SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE.

Each year, it is the resettlement countries that decide how many resettlement places they will make available for the millions of refugees throughout the world. These resettlement places are limited. While UNHCR advocates for resettlement slots, the decision ultimately lies with the government of the resettlement countries.

Since resettlement places are very limited, UNHCR must prioritize the cases of refugees who have the most urgent protection needs and vulnerabilities.

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.

In the past, refugees who were contacted by UNHCR and asked about their interest in resettlement may have informed UNHCR that they do not wish to be considered for resettlement due to their personal circumstances.

Refugees that have previously refused resettlement do not have active resettlement cases. If you and your family are facing strong vulnerabilities or protection risks in Lebanon, please report to UNHCR through the National Call Center at 📞04726111 or during your next renewal appointment so that you are referred to the right service – this may not necessarily lead to resettlement consideration.

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