A refugee or asylum seeker may decide to leave the UK and return to their country of origin. A host of reasons and factors may influence the decision to return but care needs to be taken before any decision is made to return. If a person returns to the country of origin, then s/he may lose permission to stay and a right of entry to the UK.
Persons granted asylum or other forms of international protection in the UK are advised to seek legal advice prior to travelling or returning to a country of origin. This is because they may lose their status in the UK and right to re-enter or remain in the UK following return.
Persons seeking asylum in the UK are strongly advised to seek legal advice prior to making an application to return to IOM or to the UKBA. An application for voluntary return may jeopardise an outstanding asylum application; for instance, it will be taken into account by UKBA and a UKBA case owner may question the applicant about the reasons for the interest in voluntary return.
A person can choose to make their own arrangements to leave the UK independently. But there are also assisted return programmes which offer help to leave the UK and assistance back in the country of return. Each programme has its own rules about who is eligible for help and the type of assistance it provides.
The assisted voluntary return programmes described are not run by the Refugee Council.
Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP)
Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) is a scheme for asylum seekers and some other people in the UK who decide to return permanently to their country of origin. It offers help to leave the UK and assistance back in the country of return.
Help from Children & Families Across Borders (CFAB)
People with Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) who have been in the UK for 3 years or more and who are non-European nationals can apply to CFAB for help to return. CFAB is the UK branch of the International Social Services network and provides advice by telephone, by appointment and by making visits throughout the UK. Contact: Canterbury Court, Unit 1.11, 1 - 3 Brixton Road, London SW9 6DE. Tel: 0207 735 8941
See www.cfab.uk.net for more details
Help from the Red Cross Tracing and Message Service
Some refugees and asylum seekers may have lost contact with family members not in the UK. The International Tracing and Message Service of the British Red Cross can help families separated through conflict, upheaval or natural disaster.
See Red Cross Tracing service for more details.
