If your asylum application has been rejected, or if you decide not to continue your asylum procedure because the situation in your country has changed and you want to go back, the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program may be able to help you.
You can use this article to learn more on:
- How it works
- How to apply
- Who is eligible
How it works
If your asylum application has been rejected, or if you decide not to continue the procedure because the situation in your country has changed and you want to go back, you can apply to the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) program.
The AVRR program will support you with counseling services to create a reintegration plan, travel documents and tickets to go back to your country. They will also help you to reintegrate in your country of origin by proving a first economic assistance and support to find a job or a place to stay once you arrive in your country.
You must choose to enter the AVRR program — nobody can force you to take part.
How to apply
To apply you should get in touch with the organization who runs the program in Italy.
From January 2, 2024, the RI.VOL.ARE IN RE.TE project of IOM - the UN organization for Migration of Rome is active with the aim to guarantee and promote access to Assisted Voluntary Repatriation and Reintegration - AVRR - of third-country nationals present in Italy, regular and irregular, who decide to return home voluntarily.
The project provides you for free:
- A pre-departure counseling
- Assistance with the issuance of the travel document
- Full coverage of travel costs
- Economic contribution for you and each member of your family included in your AVRR application to facilitate relocation and integration in your country of origin.
The project, active from January 2, 2024 will run for 3 years and will be managed by IOM Rome.
For more information or to apply to this program, you can contact toll-free 800 004 006 or call the IOM Rome Office at 06 44 16 09 335/238 or send an e-mail to ritorno@iom.int.
You can also send us a private message if you want to have more information about your rights within this program.
Who is eligible
Categories of people admitted to the program may vary slightly from year to year and from organization to organization. The following list provides an overview of the categories of people generally admitted to the program:
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People who have not yet received a decision on their asylum claim
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People who have been granted protection in Italy
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People who have never applied for asylum in Italy
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People whose asylum claim has been denied and who received a time limit to depart Italy voluntarily
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People who no longer meet the requirements for a permit of stay
If you have received an expulsion order as a consequence of a crime, extradition or an arrest warrant, you are not eligible for AVRR.
Learn more on expulsion orders:
If you ask for it, you may receive an expulsion notice that gives you a period of time to leave voluntarily. In this situation, you may be eligible for the AVRR program, if you choose to depart Italy before the voluntary return period expires.
If you decide to participate in the AVRR program, you will have to withdraw your asylum application, if you have one pending.
Unaccompanied children
Children are allowed to apply for Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration, but only under certain conditions. Italian authorities have to perform a thorough family investigation in a child's country of origin and ensure the return is voluntary and in the child's best interests.