FAQS - Frequently Asked Questions

Migrants, third-country nationals, who want to voluntarily return to their country of origin, but who do not have the means and need support to do so, can benefit from this Programme, regardless of their situation in Portugal.

Yes. The program supports individual applicants as well as their households. The Program also includes support for minors, whether they are accompanied or not.
 

There are four specific situations in which IOM cannot provide support:
1) if you are an European Union (EU)  National, or if you are direct family member of someone who is an  EU National;
2) if you have any legal problems in Portugal that prevent you from returning to your country of origin;
3) in case you have already benefited from this programme before;
4) in the event of making false statements. Failure to comply with these requirements or others related to the programme may be grounds for exclusion from the programme.

IOM may refuse or suspend return assistance if it poses an irreparable risk or serious violation of the human rights of the prospective applicant or; wherenever the country of origin is in a context of widespread risk, in particular if a recommendation against return to a specific country or region has been issued by an United Nations entity.

Enrollment in the Program can be done directly with IOM or with any entity listed on the following page

On the day of the interview, you will be asked for your passport (valid or expired), a document with your parentage and, if applicable, a residence permit. If the applicant does not have any identification document, he/she should contact IOM. Each case is analyzed individually so that, during or after the interview, documents may be requested in order to complete the process.

No, this support is free and has no cost for the beneficiaries.

All beneficiaries of the Programme will have to travel from Humberto Delgado airport in Lisbon.If you are in the regions of Madeira or the Azores, you will travel to Lisbon, where an IOM employee will be waiting for you, and depart from Lisbon to your country of origin.

Yes, the process is voluntary and you can withdraw from the process at any time, however you will have to inform IOM of your intention. However, if you cancel after we book your ticket, you will not be able to be re-opened your process and we will not be able to buy another ticket in the future.

Yes, the process is voluntary and you can withdraw from the process at any time, however you will have to inform IOM of your intention. However, if you cancel after we book your ticket, you will not be able to be re-opened your process and we will not be able to buy another ticket in the future.

Yes. Law no. 23/2007, of 4 July, with subsequent amendments, in conjunction with Regulatory Decree no. 84/2007, of 5 November, with subsequent amendments, in articles 139(3), 33(2) and 33(1), provides for two types of restrictions for the beneficiaries of the Programme:

• Prohibition of entry into Portugal, Member States of the European Union or States Parties or Associated to the Implementing Convention (Schengen), for a period of 3 years.
• If you are in a legal situation in Portugal, you will have to deliver the residence permit at the border post of the Foreigners and Borders Service (SEF) at the airport, giving up the right of residence that it gives you.

IOM does not arrange or takes responsibility for the transportation of animals. Once your flights have been booked, you will be able to find information about pet transport conditions. Transportation costs and travel documentation will be the beneficiaries’ responsibility.

The safety of the return journey is a central element of the Programme. If you have any health situation that may affect your trip, you must inform the Programme team. In order for IOM to be able to organize your trip in the safest way possible, it will be necessary for your doctor to fill out a specific IOM medical form, certifying that you can take a trip by plane and informing you if you have any specific needs during the trip. Transport may not be possible if the IOM's medical department considers that the necessary conditions to promote a safe and dignified journey for the beneficiary in question are not met.

The legislation in force (Law No. 23/2007, of 4 July, with subsequent amendments, in conjunction with Regulatory Decree No. 84/2007, of 5 November, with subsequent amendments, in Articles 139(3), 33(2) and 33(1)) which approves the legal regime for the entry, stay, exit and removal of foreign citizens from national territory) stipulates that if you wish to return to Portugal,  to a Member State of the European Union or State party or associated to the Implementing Convention (Schengen) before the end of the 3-year entry ban, you must submit an application for admission to the diplomatic/consular representation of your area of residence. The diplomatic/consular representation must send the request to the Portuguese State, which will proceed with the determination of the amount to be refunded, and the interested party will be informed, by the same means, of the amount to be refunded and conditions for restitution. The beneficiary must send the Portuguese State a bank document proving the refund of the amount determined for the purpose of lifting the respective entry ban. Deletion shall take place as soon as possible and may not exceed 30 days. The Portuguese State will inform the beneficiary that the entry ban measure has been lifted.

IOM does not participate or intervene in this process directly.

ASSISTED VOLUNTARY RETURN

Voluntary return in Portugal is framed in article 139 - Support for voluntary return, and articles 33(2) and 33(1) of Law no. 23/2007 of 4 July, as amended.

Article 139 - Support for Voluntary Return:

1. The State may support the voluntary return of foreign nationals who meet the conditions required of the countries of origin, within the scope of cooperation programmes established with international organisations, namely the International Organisation for Migration, or non-governmental organisations.
2.  Foreign citizens who benefit from the support granted under the terms of the preceding paragraph, when holding a residence permit, shall surrender it at the border post at the time of boarding.
3. For a period of three years after abandonment, beneficiaries of voluntary return support may only be admitted to national territory and to the territory of the Member States of the European Union or States party to or associated to the Implementing Convention if they repay the amounts received, plus interest at the legal rate.
4. The provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not prejudice the possibility of the exceptional issuance of short-stay visas, for humanitarian reasons, as defined in article 68.
5. Citizens who have benefited from a temporary protection scheme shall not be subject to the requirement provided for in paragraph 3.

RETURN TO PORTUGAL AFTER BENEFIT FROM VOLUNTARY RETURN SUPPORT

Law no. 23/2007, of 4 July, defines that foreign citizens who leave the National Territory, under the ARVoRe Program and who want to re-enter Portugal, during the period of validity of the entry ban (3 years), may request the elimination of the measure, upon reimbursement from the Portuguese State, (under the terms of article no. 139,  of Law No. 23/2007 of 4 July amended by Law 29/2012 of 9 August, which approves the legal regime for the entry, stay, exit and removal of foreigners from national territory and under the terms of Regulatory Decree No. 02/2013, of 18 March, article 80, which establishes the requirements and conditions for the admission to national territory of foreign citizens who,  having left the national territory after benefiting from support for voluntary return, intends to return to Portugal before the end of the Entry Ban period).