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 one of the organizations who runs the program in Italy.
For 2021 they are: CIR, GUS, CIES, CEFA, CO&SO and ARCI Mediterraneo. If you are interested in the AVRR program, please contact one of the following organizations:
- CIR: call 3669044861 or send an email to ritorno@cir-onlus.org
- GUS: call 3711124916 or send an email to info@ritornovolontario.it
- CIES: call 3386553124 or 0677264611/43 or send an email to ermes3@cies.it
- CEFA: call 051520285 or send an email to f.zito@cefaonlus.it
- CO&S: call 3928529927 or 0556584985 or send an email to ritorni.rebuild@gmail.com
- ARCI Mediterraneo: call 3936879782 or 08118708417 or send an email to rva@arcimediterraneo.it
Each organization focus on specific countries of origin. You can learn more on the different projects and who can benefit from it here.
Send us a private message if you want to have more information.
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.