VARRP
Asylum seekers and some others can get help to return permanently from the Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP), run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). VARRP offers help to leave the UK and reintegration assistance back in the country of return, which can provide help with small business set-up; schooling fees; vocational training; or with job placements.
VARRP offers extra support called ‘Return and Rebuild’ if a person returning to Afghanistan needs help with the reconstruction of a family home. Return and Rebuild can provide in-kind assistance worth up to £2000 per case to help returnees who need to rebuild or repair their homes. It is available to those who return between the 1st September 2008 and 31st August 2009.
Return to Afghanistan Programme (Resettlement Grant) and Explore & Prepare, Afghanistan
Some Afghans could return with assistance from the Return to Afghanistan Programme (Resettlement Grant). Afghans who had refugee status and/or ILR, or some other leave to remain, could also get help to prepare for permanent return from the Explore & Prepare, Afghanistan programme. The UK Border Agency withdrew both these programmes on 1 April 2008. If you require any further information about these programmes please get in touch with us via the contact form.
Please note: The UK assisted voluntary return programmes are run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the Home Office. They are not Refugee Council programmes.
Important information
Specialist, confidential advice and informal counselling about assisted voluntary return for individuals can be obtained from IOM’s implementation partners. See the organisations listed under Advice for individuals about assisted mandatory and voluntary returns.
Afghans should consider seeking advice prior to applying for assisted voluntary return. For instance, applying for assisted voluntary return is taken into account by the UK Border Agency when it considers the person’s application for asylum. The UK Border Agency asylum caseworker may ask questions about the application to return and the reasons for applying.
Similarly others with leave to remain in the UK should seek advice prior to travel to Afghanistan. This is because they may lose their status in the UK and right to re-enter or remain in the UK following return.
Under new rules introduced on 1 April 2008, an application to entry clearance to come to the UK from an individual who has previously broken UK immigration laws - for example by entering the UK illegally or using deception, or ‘overstaying’ beyond 28 days, or breaking a condition of leave - will be refused for a set period. The length of the ban depends on how the applicant left the UK following his or her breach:
- Those who left voluntarily at their own expense will have any application refused for one year after their departure
- Those who left voluntarily at public expense (directly or indirectly) will be refused for five years after their departure; this second category includes those who have benefited from an Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) programme, such as VARRP
- Those who were removed or deported will be refused for ten years after their departure
The Government has agreed not to apply these rules to a person who leaves the UK voluntarily between 17 March 2008 and 1 October 2008 inclusive. The rules do apply to those who left the UK before 17 March 2008.
Some further exceptions to the re-entry bans have now been incorporated into the Immigration Rules (paragraph 320) by HC 607, the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules. Re-entry bans will not automatically apply where the applicant was under the age of 18 at the time of his or her last breach of immigration law; or where applications to re-entry clearance are made by those applying to join family members, under certain categories. For further information on HC607, see the UK Border Agency’s website.
The requirement to refuse an application will not apply where refusal would breach the UK government’s obligations under the Human Rights Act or under European Law.
Additionally, the requirement to refuse an application will not apply where an applicant has returned under the VARRP programme but did not commit any breach of UK immigration laws.
Individuals who think they may be affected by these rule changes are advised to seek legal advice prior to leaving the UK.
| Please note: The UK Government has signed an agreement to co-ordinate returns with the Afghan Government and UNHCR. The Uk Border Agency held bi-annual meetings on voluntary return with Refugee Community Organisations for Afghans which were also attended by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development. Contact us for more information about these meetings. |
