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.
Individuals and advisers should contact IOM for further details of the assistance that can be offered.
| Please note: The UK assisted voluntary return programmes are run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the UK Border Agency (UKBA). They are not Refugee Council programmes. |
Important information
Zimbabweans 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.
Zimbabweans 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.
Under rules that were introduced in February 2008 under HC 321, the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, 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 will depend 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 agreed not to apply these rules to a person who left 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 were subsequently 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 both HC 321 and HC 607, 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.
