The legal route, not a hazardous refugee journey: how resettlement works

What is meant by resettlement?

A person who is already living in another country (country of first asylum) as a refugee is selected and allowed to legally move to another country willing to admit them (e.g. Germany). Normally, this is done via the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR.

Resettlement does not involve applying for asylum in Germany and is not something that one can purchase for oneself.

How does the UNHCR resettlement programme work and who gets selected?

You get a resettlement place not by applying for it yourself but because you are registered in your country of first asylum, have been selected as being in high need of protection and your case has been proposed to a host country. The host country then conducts its own assessment and decides whether to admit you.

If somebody guarantees you a resettlement place for cash, it will always be a scam!

How does the UNHCR carry out the resettlement assessment?

First, interviews are conducted to document your personal details, family history and background and to check this information for plausibility. At the same time, your identity is checked (e.g. via your passport or identity documents, certificates, registration data and data comparisons). If a host country takes on your case, it will additionally carry out its own security and background checks. Only then will the host country decide whether to accept or reject you.

What happens once you have been promised resettlement?

Once your resettlement has been confirmed, the host country will arrange your travel: travel documents will be prepared, medical checks will usually be carried out and a travel date will be arranged. Upon arrival in Germany, you will be registered and placed in initial accommodation, complete all the necessary formalities and given a legal residence permit under the terms of the programme.