Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme

This page explains our policy for the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP). For more general information on the programme, see Voluntary return in the Asylum section.

The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is the United Kingdom's generic voluntary return programme for those in the asylum system and those with temporary status in the United Kingdom who wish to return voluntarily and permanently to their country of origin or to a third country to which they are admissible.

VARRP is operated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an independent inter-governmental organisation. Reintegration assistance is provided as part of VARRP through the IOM and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

Eligible groups

Applications for return under VARRP will be accepted by the IOM from anyone* who is or is the dependant of a person who:

• has an asylum application pending; or
• has been refused asylum and is appealing against that decision; or has been refused asylum and has exhausted the appeals process; or
• is in the asylum process and is in long term immigration detention; or
• falls within any of the above categories and is detained by the immigration service solely in relation to immigration offences, except where the applicant has been assessed by detention services as violent and/or may pose a threat to IOM staff; or
• has been granted time-limited exceptional leave to enter/remain or discretionary leave outside the immigration rules.

*except where:

• the applicant is involved in ongoing matters pertaining to the criminal justice system; or
• a deportation order (DO) has been made against the person; or
• arrangements for the person's return are already in place; or
• prior to IOM receiving an application, the applicant has received custodial sentences, in the United Kingdom, totalling in excess of 12 months.

In each individual case, applications will be received and screened by the IOM. In each case the final decision about suitability of the applicant for VARRP rests with the UK Border Agency.

Ineligible groups

The programme is not open to those:

• who have been granted humanitarian protection, indefinite leave to remain and/or refugee status;
• who have never sought asylum in the United Kingdom;
• who have permission to enter or remain in the United Kingdom for non-asylum/humanitarian reasons e.g. students, spouses, visitors etc;
• who are short term immigration detainees and have had removal directions set;
• who are convicted prisoners subject to deportation orders;
• who have been convicted of a serious immigration offence;
• who are British citizens or European Economic Area (EEA) nationals;
• whose purpose in leaving is to nullify their adverse immigration status in order to re-enter the United Kingdom.

In addition to the above criteria, the majority of individuals who have previously participated in assisted voluntary return will be excluded from participating a second time following their subsequent return to the United Kingdom. Each application by a previous participator will be carefully considered, taking all relevant factors into consideration, and the appropriate decision made. Relevant factors may include: a significant change in the country situation; a new basis of asylum claim; previous participation in assisted voluntary return as a dependant.

Generally only two applications will be considered for each applicant. Those who cancel or withdraw their application or do not depart within three months of approval on two occasions will no longer be eligible for the programme. A third application will be considered only on production of evidenced exceptional reasons why departure via the VARRP has not taken place. In each case the decision about consideration of a third application rests with the UK Border Agency.

Assistance provided

All eligible applicants will receive a reintegration package tailored to suit their individual and specific needs in the country of return. This package will be agreed after a counselling session with IOM while the applicant is still in the United Kingdom and will typically comprise one of the following strands:

• assistance with establishing a business;
• education;
• a job placement; or
• vocational training.

An extra baggage allowance will be available and the need for childcare and short-term accommodation will also be reviewed and addressed.

Withdrawal from asylum process

Once the assisted voluntary return team (AVR) has approved the application they will inform IOM. IOM will have advised the applicant that if they wish to return under VARRP they must withdraw their United Kingdom asylum application on departure from the United Kingdom. IOM will ask departing VARRP applicants to make a signed declaration of withdrawal from the asylum process on departure.

Travel documentation

Where an applicant to the programme does not already have a suitable travel document with which to return to their country of origin or to a third country to which they are admissible, the IOM will assist in obtaining the required travel documentation, entry permit or equivalent issued by either the UK Border Agency or the Embassy or High Commission of the country of return.

Any travel documents previously issued by the UK Border Agency must be returned at the time of application for VARRP.

Review of decisions

Decisions on eligibility for this scheme rest with the AVR team. The head of the AVR team will review decisions only if new factual evidence has been presented. If new evidence relates to a policy issue the head of the AVR team will refer the issue to the policy unit. Once the policy position has been clarified the head of the AVR team will decide if the case decision should be reviewed.

Withdrawal from VARRP

An applicant can withdraw from VARRP at any time prior to departure. If the applicant fails to travel within three months of their application to the programme being approved and there is no valid reason for not travelling within this time, the VARRP application will be deemed withdrawn by the UK Border Agency.

Generally only two assisted voluntary return applications will be considered for each applicant. Those who cancel or withdraw their application or do not depart within three months of approval on two occasions will no longer be eligible for the programmes. A third application will be considered only on production of evidenced exceptional reasons why departure via assisted voluntary return has not taken place. This applies to applications made for any assisted voluntary return. In each case the final decision about consideration of a third assisted voluntary return application rests with the UK Border Agency.

Financial management of VARRP

VARRP is co-financed by the UK Border Agency and the European Refugee Fund (ERF). The programme is therefore subject to the rules and conditions of the ERF as well as to normal Home Office financial procedures.