New country. New opportunities.
A brighter future begins the day a family boards the plane.
UNHCR Resettlement
Resettlement creates new beginnings
From crisis to safety. From displacement to opportunity.
Guidance. Information. Support.
UNHCR helps refugees find durable solutions
Durable solutions include resettlement to safer countries, alongside voluntary return and local integration.
Resettlement is for refugees whose lives, safety or health are still at risk where they are. UNHCR identifies who is most in need and refers them to countries that have agreed to admit them.
The resettlement process
A safer future, step by step
Six stages take a refugee from registration to a new home. Timelines vary from months to years.
Registration
With UNHCR or a partner organization.
Assessment & Referral
For resettlement to a host country.
Interviews & Screening
Including document verification, eligibility and security checks.
Approval
By the resettlement country.
Pre-departure Arrangements
Travel preparations and orientation.
Arrival & Support
Housing, healthcare, education, employment and community integration.
Resettlement changes lives.
Resettlement to third countries
A chance for a new life
UNHCR works with countries like Canada, Australia, Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom to offer refugees a chance for a new life.
More than a journey
Resettlement is a chance to rebuild lives, reunite families and create a future in safety.
Resettlement is more than a journey
It’s a chance to rebuild lives, reunite families and create a future in safety.
Families reunited. Lives reconstructed.
Many families are welcomed together, or find their way back to each other.
After arrival
Beyond resettlement, ongoing support includes
HousingA safe place to live
HealthcareAccess to medical care
EducationSchools, language and training
Employment supportHelp to find work
Community integrationBelonging and connection
Refugees are not just survivors, they are future contributors.
Hope has no borders
Every year, refugees who cannot return home or stay safely where they are begin again in a new country.
Explore this section
Start with the basics, then find the route that fits your situation.
Understanding Resettlement
What it is, who may be considered, how the process works and answers to common questions.
Learn more →
Resettlement countries
How resettlement works in Canada, Australia, Sweden, Germany and the United Kingdom.
See countries →
Other Legal Pathways
Family reunification, humanitarian pathways, education and employment routes.
View pathways →
Support after arrival
Housing, healthcare, education, employment support and community integration.
Find out more →
Refugee Rights & Protection
The rights every refugee has under international law, wherever they are.
Know your rights →
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the most common questions about resettlement and pathways.
Read the FAQ →