State-Level Support and Resources for Refugees in Virginia 2025

Key Takeaways

• Virginia refugee support requires official refugee, asylee, SIV, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, trafficking survivor, or URM status.
• Services include housing, employment, education, health, legal aid, and youth foster care through VDSS and local agencies.
• Federal funding cuts in 2025 caused service disruptions; Welcome Corps program expansion aids more refugees statewide.

If you are a refugee or asylum seeker considering resettlement in Virginia in 2025, it’s important to know what support is available, who qualifies, and how to access these resources. Virginia’s system is coordinated by the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) and its Refugee Resettlement Program, with the Office of New Americans (ONA) playing a key role. This guide will help you quickly determine if you qualify for state-level support, what services you can expect, and what to do if you don’t meet the requirements.

Who Qualifies for Refugee Support in Virginia?

Virginia’s refugee support programs are designed for people who have been granted certain legal statuses by the United States 🇺🇸 government. To qualify for most services, you must fall into one of these categories:

• Refugee: You have been given refugee status by the U.S. government before entering the country.
• Asylee: You have been granted asylum after arriving in the United States 🇺🇸.
• Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) Holder: You are from Afghanistan or Iraq and received a special visa for helping the U.S. government.
• Cuban/Haitian Entrant: You are from Cuba or Haiti and have been given special entry status.
• Victim of Human Trafficking: You have a certification letter from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
• Unaccompanied Refugee Minor (URM): You are a child under 18 who arrived without a parent or guardian and have been placed in the URM program.

If you do not have one of these statuses, you are not eligible for the full range of state-level refugee services. However, some basic services, like emergency shelter or food assistance, may be available through local charities or general social service programs.

Detailed Requirements and Examples

Let’s look at the main requirements for each group:

1. Refugees
   • Must have official refugee status granted by the U.S. government before arrival.
   • Example: A family from Sudan arrives in Virginia after being processed as refugees in a third country. They are eligible for all services.
2. Asylees
   • Must have been granted asylum by a U.S. immigration judge or officer.
   • Example: An individual from Venezuela applies for asylum after arriving in the United States 🇺🇸 and is approved. They can access the same services as refugees.
3. SIV Holders
   • Must have a Special Immigrant Visa, usually for helping the U.S. military or government in Afghanistan or Iraq.
   • Example: An interpreter from Afghanistan with an SIV can receive housing, employment, and health services.
4. Cuban/Haitian Entrants
   • Must have special entry status as defined by federal law.
   • Example: A Cuban national paroled into the United States 🇺🇸 as a Cuban/Haitian Entrant is eligible.
5. Victims of Human Trafficking
   • Must have a certification letter from the Office of Refugee Resettlement.
   • Example: A trafficking survivor from the Democratic Republic of the Congo receives a certification letter and can access services.
6. Unaccompanied Refugee Minors
   • Must be under 18, without a parent or guardian, and placed in the URM program.
   • Example: A 15-year-old from Afghanistan, arriving alone, is placed in foster care through the URM program.

Disqualifying Factors

You will not qualify for Virginia’s Refugee Resettlement Program or related services if:

• You are in the United States 🇺🇸 on a tourist, student, or work visa.
• You have not been granted refugee, asylee, SIV, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, or trafficking survivor status.
• Your asylum case is still pending and you have not received a final approval.
• You are undocumented and do not have any of the qualifying statuses.

What If You Don’t Qualify?

If you do not meet the requirements for the Refugee Resettlement Program, you still have some options:

• General Social Services: You may be able to get help through local food banks, shelters, or community organizations.
• Legal Aid: Some agencies offer free or low-cost legal help for people with pending asylum cases or other immigration needs.
• Community Support: Faith-based groups and local nonprofits sometimes provide limited support regardless of status.

How to Improve Your Chances of Qualifying

If you are not yet eligible but hope to become so, here are some steps you can take:

• Apply for Asylum: If you fear returning to your home country, file for asylum as soon as possible. Once approved, you become eligible for refugee services.
• Seek Legal Help: Work with a trusted immigration attorney or nonprofit to understand your options and avoid scams.
• Keep Documentation: Save all paperwork related to your immigration status, as you’ll need it to prove eligibility for services.

What Services Are Available If You Qualify?

If you meet the eligibility criteria, Virginia offers a wide range of support through the Virginia Department of Social Services, the Refugee Resettlement Program, and the Office of New Americans. Here’s what you can expect:

1. Housing and Rental Assistance
– Help finding and furnishing a home.
– Rental assistance for the first few months.
– Example: A newly arrived Afghan family is placed in an apartment and receives help with rent and furniture.

2. Employment and Job Readiness
– Immediate work authorization.
– Job training, resume help, and interview practice.
– Connections to local employers, especially in fields like healthcare and IT.
– Example: A Sudanese refugee attends job readiness classes and is matched with a hospital job.

3. Education and Language Services
– English language classes for adults.
– Help enrolling children in local schools.
– Cultural orientation workshops.
– Example: A Venezuelan mother attends English classes while her children are enrolled in public school.

4. Health Services
– Medical screenings and help enrolling in health insurance.
– Referrals for trauma recovery and chronic illness care.
– Example: A Congolese refugee receives help managing diabetes and signs up for Medicaid.

5. Legal Services
– Help applying for permanent residency (green card) and citizenship.
– Assistance with Social Security and other paperwork.
– Example: An asylee from Haiti gets legal help to apply for a green card.

6. Youth and Foster Care
– Foster care and mentoring for unaccompanied minors.
– Example: A 16-year-old from Afghanistan is placed with a foster family and receives mentoring.

Which Agencies Provide These Services?

Virginia’s main resettlement agencies work closely with the state to deliver these services. Here are the key agencies and what they do:

• Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington: Focuses on Northern Virginia, offers employment, legal, housing, health, and education services.
• Commonwealth Catholic Charities (CCC): Works in Richmond, Roanoke, and Hampton Roads, provides housing, medical support, foster care, and English classes.
• Church World Service: Statewide, offers resettlement, employment, and education support.
• Ethiopian Community Development Council: Statewide, focuses on cultural integration and community support.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Based in Richmond and Charlottesville, provides resettlement, employment, health, and legal services.
• Lutheran Social Services: Statewide, offers resettlement, social services, and youth mentoring.

Recent Changes and Challenges

In early 2025, a freeze on federal funding caused a major refugee program in Richmond to shut down, leading to layoffs and a pause in some services like rental and medical assistance. Although a federal judge later blocked the suspension, full funding has not yet returned, so some services may be limited or delayed, especially in Richmond.

Despite these challenges, the Welcome Corps program, run by the U.S. Department of State, has expanded. This program lets private sponsors—regular people and community groups—help refugees settle in Virginia. This has increased the number of refugees who can be helped, especially in areas with strong community support.

Step-by-Step Process for Refugees in Virginia

If you qualify, here’s what usually happens:

1. Arrival: Agency staff meet you at the airport and help with immediate needs.
2. Housing: You are placed in a furnished home or apartment.
3. Orientation: Adults attend English and cultural classes; children are enrolled in school.
4. Employment: You get help finding a job and preparing for work.
5. Health and Legal: You receive medical screenings and help with legal paperwork.
6. Ongoing Support: Agencies provide case management and connect you to community resources.

Quantitative Impact

• Nearly 1,500 refugees were resettled in Richmond by CCC between 2019 and 2025.
• About 300 refugees have been resettled since October 2024 by IRC and CCC combined.
• Refugees come from Afghanistan, Sudan, Venezuela, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and other countries.
• The Welcome Corps program has supported refugees from over 45 nationalities, with at least 10,000 expected to be resettled nationwide in 2025.

Key Stakeholders and Contacts

• Virginia Department of Social Services – Refugee Services: Main state agency for refugee support. Official VDSS Refugee Services page
• Office of New Americans: Coordinates programs statewide, works with local agencies.
• Catholic Charities Diocese of Arlington: Focused on Northern Virginia.
• Commonwealth Catholic Charities: Works in Richmond, Roanoke, Hampton Roads.
• International Rescue Committee (IRC): Offices in Richmond and Charlottesville.

What If You Need Help Applying?

• Contact one of the main resettlement agencies listed above.
• Visit the Virginia Department of Social Services Refugee Services page for more information and to find local contacts.
• If you need legal help, ask for a referral to a trusted immigration attorney or nonprofit.

Alternative Options If Not Eligible

If you do not qualify for the Refugee Resettlement Program, consider these steps:

• Apply for Asylum: If you fear returning home, file an asylum application as soon as possible. You can find the official Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
• Seek Community Support: Local churches, mosques, and nonprofits often provide food, shelter, and basic help.
• Legal Aid: Some organizations offer free legal advice for people with pending cases.

How to Improve Your Chances

• Stay Informed: Check the VDSS and ONA websites for updates on eligibility and services.
• Keep Records: Save all immigration documents and proof of status.
• Ask for Help: Don’t be afraid to reach out to agencies or community groups for guidance.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Refugees in Virginia?

The future looks promising as federal funding is expected to stabilize and programs like Welcome Corps continue to grow. The Office of New Americans and local agencies are planning to open more offices and expand services to meet the needs of new arrivals. However, some services may still be limited in areas affected by recent funding cuts.

Expert Advice

Experts stress the importance of stable funding for housing, health care, and job support. They also encourage the public to learn more about refugees’ legal status and the positive impact they have on Virginia’s communities. As reported by VisaVerge.com, the expansion of private sponsorship through Welcome Corps is helping more refugees find support and settle successfully.

Key Takeaways

• Eligibility: You must have refugee, asylee, SIV, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, trafficking survivor, or URM status to qualify for most services.
• Services: Housing, employment, education, health, legal, and youth support are available through the Refugee Resettlement Program and local agencies.
• Disqualifying Factors: Tourists, students, workers, and those with pending asylum cases are not eligible for full services.
• Alternatives: If not eligible, seek help through community groups, legal aid, or by applying for asylum.
• Contacts: Start with the Virginia Department of Social Services Refugee Services page for official information and agency contacts.

By understanding these requirements and taking the right steps, you can make the most of the support available in Virginia and improve your chances of successful resettlement.

Learn Today

Refugee → A person granted legal protection by the U.S. before entering due to persecution or danger in their home country.
Asylee → Someone granted asylum status after arriving in the U.S. due to fear of persecution or harm.
Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) → A visa issued to Afghans or Iraqis who helped the U.S. government and are eligible for resettlement.
Refugee Resettlement Program → A coordinated effort by Virginia and federal agencies to support refugees’ integration through services and assistance.
Welcome Corps → A federal program enabling private sponsors to support refugee resettlement and community integration locally.

This Article in a Nutshell

Virginia’s refugee resettlement program offers critical housing, employment, and legal services to qualified refugees and asylees. Despite funding challenges, local agencies and the Welcome Corps program provide essential support for integration and community success in 2025.
— By VisaVerge.com