Resettlement refugees, also called quota refugees and UN refugees, are persons who have fled their home country and are resettled in a third country. Resettlement refugees are usually recognised as refugees by the UN before they are resettled in Norway.
Who are resettlement refugees?
A resettlement refugee is a person who risks persecution in his or her home country, and who stays in another country where he or she cannot be granted permanent residence or be safe, and who is therefore resettled in a third country. The difference between asylum seekers and resettlement refugees is that most resettlement refugees have had their case processed and been recognised as refugees by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) before they arrive in Norway. In some cases, Norwegian embassies and organisations such as the PEN Club and the Norwegian Helsinki Committee can also submit individual cases to the UDI.
How many resettlement refugees does Norway accept?
It is the Norwegian parliament that decides the number of resettlement refugees Norway accepts and from which nationality and regions the refugees will be selected.
At present, the Norwegian resettlement quota is 1 200 refugees each year.
What does the UN do?
UNHCR interviews and assess whether the persons are to be given refugee status. The UN also assesses whether they can live in the country they are currently staying in, or if they can return to their home country. If neither is possible, the refugee might be transferred to a third country. His or her case is then sent to one of the countries that UNCHR has a resettlement agreement with, e.g. Norway. Norway then assesses whether or not to accept the refugee.
What does the UDI do?
- By travelling to a country to interview and select a considerable number of refugees.
- After a written resettlement enquiry from UNHCR or others.
What does the UDI consider when we decide who may be transferred to Norway?
- Is the refugee in need of protection, or is he or she secure in their home country.
- Is the refugee in need of coming to Norway, or is the situation acceptable in the country he or she resides in?
- Does he or she have a criminal background or a serious substance abuse? Are there other factors that suggest that the refugee should not be chosen?
- What is Norway able to offer the refugee, what is relevant municipals capability (e.g. health services)?
In addition, women at risk shall be given priority and at least 60 per cent of the selected refugees should be women.
What happens after the refugees are chosen?
Before arriving in Norway, most of the refugees complete a four-day course about Norway and Norwegian life under the auspices of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The Norwegian Directorate of Integration and Diversity (IMDi) asks relevant municipals to settle the refugees. When they arrive in Norway, the refugees are immediately settled without staying in an asylum reception centre first.
Can the family move to Norway?
Persons with refugee status are entitled to have members of their immediate family to come and live with them Norway, if the family members apply for family immigration.
There is no requirement that the refugee must be able to support the family members if the family relationship was established before the refugee came to Norway.
The Norwegian state will usually cover the travel expenses of family members to resettlement refugees who come in connection with family immigration if the journey is arranged through UDI and IOM.
Further information
