Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration

The program includes support for third-country nationals (TCNs) wishing to return to their country of origin and reintegration assistance for the most vulnerable among them. Between 2021 and 2023, IOM Bulgaria assisted 122 citizens of Morocco, Pakistan, Iraq, Iran, Algeria, Tunisia, and other countries to return home (incl. 3 reintegration’s of vulnerable persons).
 
IOM Bulgaria’s AVRR team regularly provides assistance for voluntary return and reintegration to migrants who decide to return in their countries of origin, as well as increases the awareness of the migrant groups of the programme. In order to improve inter-institutional cooperation in the field of migrant return, IOM Bulgaria organizes working visits and seminars in Bulgaria and abroad.

Who May Benefit?

The target groups of our assisted voluntary return and reintegration programme include:

• Asylum seekers and migrants granted with international protection.
• Rejected asylum seekers.
• Irregular migrants.

Our Services

• Individual consultations with migrants on the AVRR programme.
• Support for obtaining necessary travel documents.
• Support for accommodation before travel if necessary.
• Providing flight ticket to the country of origin.
• Transport to Sofia Airport for departure and support at airport authorities.
• Medical help and/or examination for vulnerable persons before departure if necessary.
• Providing cash grant to every voluntary returnee amounting to up to EUR 250 which could be increased to EUR 900 in vulnerable cases.
• Providing in-kind assistance for reintegration after return to the home country of up to EUR 2000 (EUR 3000 for vulnerable persons and EUR 5000 for families).
• Providing escort for unaccompanied migrant children or other vulnerable returnees by IOM officer to the country of origin.
• Transit assistance by IOM officer.
• Assistance upon arrival by IOM officer from IOM mission in the respective country of origin.
• Assistance for implementation of reintegration measures in the respective country of origin.
• Monitoring of the reintegration assistance provided.

Contact our AVRR Team

You can contact our AVRR team via telephone at +359 (2) 93-94-774 and via e-mail at iomsofiaops@iom.int. Our AVRR office is located at Tzar Asen № 77 str. Sofia 1463.

CURRENT PROJECTS

Information and Support for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration 

Overall objective of the project: Тo contribute to improving the provision of comprehensive care and support to asylum seekers in Bulgaria.

Start date: 10.09.2024
End date: 09.09.2028
Term of implementation: 48 months

Find our more information about the project