Title: Struggles and resilience: resettlement experiences of Nepali-speaking Bhutanese community in Canada

Authors: Karun Kishor Karki; Kamal Khatiwada; Festus Yaw Moasun; Anjelica Shrestha

Addresses: School of Social Work, University of British Columbia, 2080 West Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2, Canada ' Faculty of Social Work, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada ' School of Social Work, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada ' McMaster University, 1280 Main St W, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Ontario, Canada

Abstract: Approximately 114,000 Lhotsampa people, also known as Nepali-speaking Bhutanese refugees, have been resettled in eight Western countries, including Canada. The resettlement process presents many challenges, including limited access to housing, employment, education, and healthcare. This systematic review critically examines the available literature on Bhutanese refugees, highlighting the resettlement barriers they face in Canada. Using predefined inclusion criteria, we searched multiple academic databases for studies published between 2007 and 2023. Fourteen studies met our inclusion criteria and were thematically analysed. We adopted an intersectional theoretical framework to examine how multiple overlapping social identities, such as race, gender, and migration status, shape the resettlement experiences. Four overarching themes emerged: 1) struggles and vulnerabilities; 2) systemic or institutional barriers; 3) strengths and resilience; 4) community and belonging as coping strategies. Our findings underscore the need for culturally informed and community-based services to better support Bhutanese refugees in Canada and promote equitable resettlement outcomes.

Keywords: Bhutanese refugees; Lhotsampa; resettlement challenges; intersectionality; resilience; community development; Canada.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMBS.2026.154287

International Journal of Migration and Border Studies, 2026 Vol.9 No.1, pp.1 - 20

Received: 05 Sep 2024
Accepted: 03 Apr 2025
Published online: 19 Jun 2026 *

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