You have two options to influence where you will be placed in the United States:

1. You may allow a resettlement agency to match you to a location based on biographical information about you and your family, as well as considering the need for a reasonable cost of living, housing availability, employment opportunities, and strong resettlement services and support.
   
   
2. You may list a person near whom you would like to be resettled, but it is very important to be aware of the cost of living and housing availability. If you have family members or friends in the United States near whom you would like to be resettled, you should indicate this on page 2 of the DS-0234 Biodata Form under Section D, “U.S. Ties”. Please ensure you provide their full name, address, telephone number, email address, and relationship. While you may provide a preference about where you might wish to be resettled, if you elect to participate in this program, it may not always be possible to honor your request to resettle near family members or friends, and you are strongly encouraged to consider other factors when considering locations. Please be aware that the cost of living and the availability of housing can vary significantly in different locations across the United States. Due to a critical shortage of housing availability, both temporary and permanent, only those with the following relationships to the principal applicant (PA) or the PA’s will be allowed to receive R&P benefits in the Sacramento area: spouse, parent, child, and sibling. Other relationships may be accepted if the PA is a child under the age of 18 with no other relatives in the United States.  Unless you have an immediate relative in this area, it is best to allow a resettlement agency to choose a more suitable location for you.

Please be aware that the cost of living and the availability of housing can vary significantly in different locations across the United States. The Washington, DC metro area including northern Virginia and some cities in California are very expensive places to live, and it can be difficult to find reasonable housing and employment. Any resettlement benefits you receive may not comfortably cover the cost of living in these areas. Unless you have close relatives or friends in these areas who are able to provide financial support and housing until you find employment that covers your living expenses, it is best to allow a resettlement agency to choose a suitable location for you.