Assisted Voluntary Return

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🔗 KEY LINKS

OIM (retornovoluntario.pt)

📍 KEY LOCATIONS


Rua das Pedras Negras,16, 1100-534 Lisbon

☎️ KEY CONTACT


WHAT IS IT?


ARVoRe program was created by IOM/OIM (International organization for migrants) and is a program for immigrants and refugees who want to voluntarily return to their country of origin. The program covers the costs, and finds the cheapest fastest route back to the country of origin, the program can also give up to 50 euros pocket money on the day of flight to cover for unexpected charges. The program can, if wanted, offer psychosocial support as well as supporting reintegration in the country of origin, at no cost.

    WHO CAN APPLY?

    1. In case you are in a vulnerable situation or irregular situation in the country you currently live in, and want to return to your country of origin or another country outside of the EU where you are allowed to stay.

    2. If you do not have Portuguese residency

    3. If you have Portuguese residency ( Residency card has to be handed at border)

    4. If you have been in Portugal for at least 3 months


    STEP BY STEP

    1. You need to contact the OIM in Lisbon through email, telephone, facebook or whatsapp and explain your situation.

    2. OIM will respond and give you personalized information about your case.

    3. Thereafter, if you are still interested, you should enroll in the program, and schedule a meeting with OIM. You can find the place closest to your residency through the website given above- select “Where can I apply”. Contact the email of the place closest to where you reside to schedule a meeting.

    4. You can choose to receive psychosocial help once you have applied for the program.

    5. AFTER your inscription to the program has been approved you will be contacted by the organization to ensure if you are ready to travel and thereafter they will begin the process of booking your trip.

    6. Help in reintegration in the country of origin- you can before you travel arrange a reintegration plan where, if necessary, 2000 euros can be given.

    DOCUMENTS REQUIRED


    1. Passport or ID of country of origin. Passport does NOT have to be valid.

    2. Document of affiliation (mother and fathers name, IF not shown on passport)

    3. Authorization of residence ( If you do not have it you can still apply; if you have it you MUST bring it)

    4. Any other documents person in question finds useful in the request


    IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THESE DOCUMENTS YOU HAVE TO DIRECTLY CONTACT OIM ( except for authorization of residency)


    IF PROGRAM IS USED:


    1. You are prohibited from entering Portugal or any other member countries of the EU or states that are members or associated with the convention of application (Schengen) for a period of 3 years.

    2. The owner of a residency title will have to hand over the title of residency at the border check, losing therefore the residency they have.



    OBS! If you want to return to Portugal prior to the 3 years you must contact the Portuguese consulate in the country of residency and create an admission request through them. This admission will only be accepted if you reimburses the Portuguese State for the expenses relating to the support given (so the plane ticket, the money received to use at the airport and the value of the reintegration support, if this has been used). These amounts will also be subject to interest on legal taxes, so the value will be higher than the one spent.


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    IN WHAT SITUATIONS YOU MAY NOT USE THIS PROGRAM:

    1. If you are a member of any country in the EU or have any direct family member who is a member of any country in the EU or if you currently have any ongoing citizen application

    2. In case you have problems with the justice system in Portugal that retain you from traveling

    3. If you have taken part of this program before

    4. If you have been in Portugal for less than 3 months.

    5. In case of making false statements when applying for the program

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    FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

    Will I need to pay for any expenses?

    No, the program will provide everything for free if the request is approved. In cases where the person wants to return to Portugal before 3 years, then they will have to reimburse the Portuguese state on the costs used.

    Can I bring my family with me?

    Yes, the program supports the complete family.

    From what airport will my trip take place?

    All that take part of the program will travel from Lisbon ( Humberto Delgado, Airport)

    How many bags can I bring?

    It depends on the aircompany. When the ticket is booked, OIM will contact you regarding how many bags you are allowed to bring. Extra bags are not paid by OIM

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