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Voluntary return

This page explains the help that is available if you choose to return to your home country voluntarily.

If we have refused you permission to stay in the United Kingdom and any appeals you have made against our decision have failed, you must return to the country you came from. If you do not return voluntarily, we will enforce your removal and we may detain you until we do this.

If you want to return to your home country, you are free to do so at any stage of your application for asylum. You must tell your case owner if you are going to do this. You should also tell your legal representative, if you have one. Your nearest One Stop Service may be able to offer advice.

If you choose to return to your home country you can either make your own travel arrangements or your case owner can help you apply to one of the programmes for assisted voluntary return. These programmes are run by the International Organization for Migration (often known as the IOM). You can also contact the IOM directly, using the contact details given on the right side of this page.

The IOM is independent of the government. It can help you think about your options and give you practical help to return to your home country.

For detailed information about our policy for these programmes, see Assisted voluntary return in the Working with us section.

Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme

The Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is open to all asylum applicants, those whose application has been refused, and those who have been given permission to stay in the United Kingdom temporarily (we call this permission 'limited leave to remain').

It is not open to anyone who has been recognised as a refugee and given permission to stay in the United Kingdom.

It is not open to people who are in the United Kingdom illegally and who have not applied for asylum. Illegal migrants may be able to apply to the Assisted Voluntary Return of Irregular Migrants programme (see below).

If you meet the requirements for the VARRP, you will be given help to return to your home country and establish a new life there. This will be a package tailored to suit your individual needs and any specific needs in the country to which you are returning. This help is also available to each member of your family who returns home with you.

The package of help will be agreed while you are still in the United Kingdom. You will meet someone at the IOM who will discuss your situation and offer you advice before deciding what will help you most. This may be:

  • help to set up a business;
  • education;
  • a job placement; or
  • training to give you the skills for a particular job.

You will be expected to leave the United Kingdom within three months of your application to the programme being approved.

Assisted Voluntary Return of Irregular Migrants

This programme (sometimes known as AVRIM) is not for people who have applied for asylum. It is for people who are in the United Kingdom illegally, including those who have overstayed the time allowed by their visa or who have been smuggled into the country.

If you are accepted onto this programme, IOM can give you:

  • tickets to your home country;
  • help with arranging your travel; and
  • help with obtaining travel documents.

You cannot apply to this programme if you wish to return to a country that is within the European Union.