UNHCR has three resettlement processing and submission priority levels: emergency, urgent and normal.
Processing priority refers to the priority given to internal pre-submission processing of a Resettlement Case by UNHCR, namely Referrals, Needs Assessment, Initial Review, Interview, Submission Recommendation and Submission Review. The initial processing priority is assigned at the time a Resettlement Case is created, based on the recommendation of the colleague or partner who referred the case. The processing priority can be revised, as appropriate, by resettlement colleagues, based on their ongoing review and assessment of the case, according to SOPs.
Submission priority levels refers to the priority level assigned to a case at the point of submission to a resettlement country, reflecting the expected timeframe for a decision and eventual departure.
It is important to identify the appropriate priority level and proceed accordingly. Unnecessary use of the emergency and urgent priorities can reduce the effectiveness of these channels.
Emergency priority
- This priority level applies to cases in which the immediacy of protection risks and/or medical condition necessitates removal from life-threatening conditions in the country or asylum within a few days. Often, interim protection measures will need to be pursued in parallel to resettlement processing.
- Emergency submission priority can be recommended by the referring party and/or the resettlement caseworker but should be decided by the Reviewer before submitting the case to a resettlement country. Close communication between UNHCR and the resettlement State ensures a mutual understanding of the emergency situation and the need to move the case quickly.
- Resettlement colleagues should ensure submissions are complete to avoid any processing delays.
- Resettlement States should aim to process emergency priority cases within seven days and organize the departures as quickly as possible. See Emergency and urgent submissions in 4.7 Submission for guidance on accelerated processing.
A full dossier submission, including a complete RRF justifying the priority and supporting documentation, should be sent to a resettlement State within 24 hours for emergency cases.
Each office is responsible for taking measures to address any immediate protection needs pending resettlement, which may include movement to a secure location or Emergency transit facility (ETF). See 4.9 Emergency transit facilities for further information on ETFs.
Urgent priority
- This priority level applies to cases in which a refugee faces serious protection risks given the specific context, and/or has acute medical needs that require expeditious resettlement.
- Urgent submission priority can be recommended by the referring party and/or the caseworker but should be decided by the Reviewer before submitting the case to a resettlement country. Close communication between UNHCR and resettlement States ensure a mutual understanding of the urgent situation and the need to process the case in an accelerated manner.
- Resettlement States should aim to process urgent priority cases within six weeks and organize departures within two to three months. See Emergency and urgent submissions in 4.7 Submission for guidance on accelerated processing.
A full dossier submission, including a complete RRF justifying the priority and supporting documentation, should be sent to a resettlement State within two weeks of identification for urgent cases.
Each office is responsible for taking measures to address any immediate protection needs pending resettlement, which may include movement to a secure location or Emergency transit facility (ETF). See 4.9 Emergency transit facilities for further information on ETFs.
Normal priority
The majority of UNHCR’s global submissions fall within this category. This priority level applies to cases where any security, medical or other concerns do not warrant expedited processing. Normal priority submissions should be prioritized according to resettlement needs. UNHCR expects decisions and departures within 12 months of submission.