1. CONTACT US
The decision to return to the country of origin can be difficult to make. If you think this would be the best way forward, IOM staff and partners are available to explain how the program works, what type of support you can receive and answer to all your questions so that you are able to make an informed decision. Counseling is given individually and confidentially. You can contact the IOM office in Lisbon via our phone, email, Facebook or WhatsApp.
2. DECISION MAKING
Once we have explained you all the procedures regarding the program’s assistance, you will have as much time as you need to think about the next step. It is important to know that you can change your mind at any stage of the process, even after you have registered.
3. REGISTRATION TO THE AVRR VII PROGRAM
It is possible to schedule your appointment to register for the program at the IOM office in Lisbon. If you do not live in Lisbon, you can contact one of the AVRR partner organizations closest to your place of residence (Please, see list of AVRR VII partner organizations where you will be able to register for the program). Our support network count with a diverse group of partners throughout the Portuguese territory, including the Autonomous Regions (Madeira and Azores), who are available to provide all necessary information and register you for the program.
4. PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT
Once you registered in the program, you may apply for psychosocial support before returning to your country of origin. You may receive a referral to a partner organization specialized in psychosocial support in Portugal.
5. DEPARTURE ASSISTANCE
Once your request for the program has been approved, we will contact you to in order to confirm whether you are ready to travel, if so, we will book your flights. On the departure day, we will be at the Lisbon airport with your airline tickets and we will accompany you in all boarding procedures, from the check in to the boarding gate.
The program will provide:
6. REINTEGRATION SUPPORT IN THE COUNTRY OF ORIGIN
Prior to your departure, our team will be able to help you obtain necessary information for your reintegration in the country of origin. In some cases, depending on your needs, there is also the possibility of financial support in your country of origin, such as support for starting a small business or a vocational training course.
The request for reintegration support must be made prior to the travel. Each request will be assessed individually and, if approved, the decision will be communicated to you prior to your return. The financial support varies according to the needs of each person and may reach a maximum value of 2000€. Each case of reintegration support will be monitored individually, from the preparation of an Individual Reintegration Plan to the follow-up in the country of origin.
Migrants who do not have socioeconomic conditions to stay in Portugal
Asylum seekers whose application has been rejected or withdrawn
Stranded migrants
Migrants in vulnerable situations (such as unaccompanied minors, people with health problems, victims of human trafficking or other forms of violence, elderly, etc.)
You must be in Portugal for more than 3 months;
Not you nor a close relative can be a national of any European Union Member-State;
You can only benefit from the program once, therefore, if you have already travelled with the program’s assistance, you will not be eligible.
Other documents might also be relevant, such as consular registration, tax identification number (NIF, in Portugal), social security number (NISS, in Portugal), reporting attesting a vulnerable situation and travel permits – in case of minors travelling alone or only with one parent.
In specific situations, further documents may be requested (medical certificate, court documents and/or documents issued by the Portuguese Immigration and Borders Service – SEF).
If you do not have any piece of ID, please contact IOM.
ARE YOU RETURNING TO BRAZIL AND, SPECIFICALLY TO SÃO PAULO, GOIÁS OR MINAS GERAIS?
If you return to one of the Brazilian states mentioned above, you may receive more detailed information about the types of support available locally. Depending on your needs, you may also be given a referral to a local organization. The project “Joint Complementary Mechanism for Sustainable Reintegration in Brazil” (SURE) aims to contribute to a more informed and sustainable reintegration in Brazil. This project will reinforce and complement the support provided by IOM's existing Voluntary Return and Reintegration Support programs implemented in Portugal, Belgium and Ireland. By strengthening the link between pre-departure counseling and post-arrival support, the project proposes the creation of a coordination and referral mechanism that will foster a more sustainable reintegration of migrants in Brazil. Based on the needs of migrants identified during pre-departure counseling in host countries, it will be possible to refer them to local actors in Brazil who have relevant initiatives or programs. The project focuses on the three main return states of Brazilian citizens in recent years: Goiás, Minas Gerais and São Paulo. IOM Portugal is responsible for project implementation and management.