Resettlement

Resettlement is the transfer from the first country that a refugee flees to (i.e. Rwanda), to another country which has screened the case and agreed to admit the individual/family and provide permanent residence (the Resettlement State).

Resettlement is a process which results in a permanent third country solution for refugees who have no option to integrate locally or return to their home country and have protection needs in the country where they stay.

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.

Refugees do not apply for resettlement. Cases are identified through the data and information that is shared with the office at registration level, as well as information gathered by partners and during home visits.

UNHCR identifies refugees based on their protection needs and continuously reviews the situation of highly vulnerable families to assess whether they meet resettlement criteria.

Resettlement is not a right and is not available to everyone granted refugee status. Places are limited and Resettlement States choose how many refugees to resettle.

You can provide UNHCR with updates on your circumstances by approaching the UNHCR office nearest to your location during reception hours. You can also email the protection unit ([email protected]) or call the relevant Helpline numbers.

If your case enters the resettlement process, UNHCR will contact you.

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

If your case is found eligible for resettlement and your case is referred to a resettlement country for consideration, you will receive an update from UNHCR, informing you about the submission of your case, specifying the country.

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

If your case is being considered by UNHCR for resettlement, you will be contacted by the resettlement unit and invited for an interview. After the interview, you will be contacted again by telephone and you will be informed whether your case has been transferred to a resettlement country, or not. If it 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.

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 Rwanda regarding UNHCR’s protection or any assistance that you may be receiving from UNHCR.

You can provide UNHCR with updates on your circumstances by approaching the UNHCR office nearest to your location during reception hours. You can also email the protection unit ([email protected]) or call the relevant Helpline.

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 States and not UNHCR.

Resettlement is a process with many different steps. It may take months or more than a year, depending on the resettlement state and its procedures. Some resettlement countries undertake further interviews with refugees in the resettlement pipeline, and others do not. You will be required to undergo medical checks and 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.

You can provide UNHCR with updates on your circumstances by approaching the UNHCR office nearest to your location during reception hours. You can also email the protection unit ([email protected]) or call the relevant Helpline.

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

If your case is rejected by the resettlement country, you will be contacted by the resettlement country and/or UNHCR to inform you accordingly.

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

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

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 inactivated. Re submission also may not be an option if there are no resettlement countries available.

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.

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

As indicated above, UNHCR identifies only the most vulnerable refugees for resettlement consideration through its own identification methods. You can, however, consult the immigration websites for the country you would like to make an application to see whether you qualify for immigration to that country and verify how to go about applying for immigration.

Resettlement countries decide who is admitted through family reunification immigration procedures, and the process for family reunification normally takes place through the relevant embassy. Priority for family reunification is normally given to the nuclear family members, such as spouses and minor children. However, depending on circumstances of the case as well as national legislation of the country in question the criteria and eligibility for family reunification might be different.

If you have applied for family reunification at an embassy and are facing problems in the process you can approach UNHCR for assistance and information.

Yes. All of UNHCR’s services are free of charge, if anyone requests any form of payment in return for services, this should be reported to UNHCR immediately.

Anyone can contact the Inspector General Office (IGO) if they have concerns or information about possible misconduct or sexual exploitation or abuse by any UNHCR staff member or other persons working directly with UNHCR. Anyone can contact the IGO if they have a reason to believe that a staff member or other persons associated with UNHCR has not behaved correctly. Write an e-mail to: [email protected].

UNHCR office nearest to your location during reception hours.

If UNHCR confirms to you that you have a resettlement case you may also email the resettlement unit ([email protected]). Kindly note that the resettlement unit can only address queries of refugees that already have resettlement cases.

For all other queries, you can also email the protection unit ([email protected]) or call the relevant Helpline.