Abstract The increase in conflict-driven international refugees has led to significant challenges facing scientists, including in-country vulnerability, displacement, and forced or voluntary exile. When scientists are exiled, there are multiple and distinctive challenges for the scientists, their families, host country institutions, and more. These include safety and security, host country integration, and (eventually) home country repatriation. This commentary describes and discusses important policy proscriptions and tactical actions that can be taken to meet these challenges and provide critical support for scientists in exile.