UNHCR Self-Organized Voluntary Return Program

The Self-Organized Voluntary Return Program is a UNHCR initiative to support Syrians known to UNHCR in Lebanon that freely and voluntarily decide to return to Syria on a permanent basis. Through this program each of your returning family member receives a one-time return cash grant of 100 USD to organize the logistics of your return through official crossing points. In addition, UNHCR provides guidance on exit procedures, essential documents to bring to Syria and recommendations on how to prepare for return to Syria.

To register your interest in the Self-Organized Voluntary Return Program:

• Call UNHCR at 04726111 (Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM), press 5 after selecting language.

Note:

• If you need support, reach out to a trusted Outreach Volunteer for help.
• Make sure you are reachable by phone after registering your intention in return with UNHCR.

All Syrians known to UNHCR in Lebanon can participate in the program provided their decision to return is well informed, voluntary and made in safety and dignity.

The decision to return should be discussed with all family members, including children. To support family unity and successful reintegration in Syria, we strongly encourage you to return with your whole family and avoid leaving children or vulnerable adults behind. However, if you are unable to return with your entire family due to personal circumstances, you can always reach out to UNHCR or mention it during your call with us so we can work together to find the best solution.

It is recommended that you and your family are in good health before traveling. If you have specific needs, here are some things to consider:

• Chronic conditions: Bring enough medication to last at least 2-3 months for conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Pregnancy: If you are near your due date (28-40 weeks), it is recommended that you delay your travel until after childbirth. If you travel while during the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, bring your antenatal care report and a supply of your supplements (folic acid, etc).
• Children under five years of age: Ensure that your child’s vaccinations are up to date before traveling. You can approach the nearest Primary Health Care Centre or UNHCR Reception Centre to check if your children are missing any Children up to 18 years of age can receive vaccinations free of charge at either location. Make sure to bring and have their vaccination booklets updated.

Before you leave, collect medical records for all family members, including:

• Medical reports, test results, medication prescriptions and hospital records
• Vaccination cards for children
• Antenatal care records for pregnant women

After you have contacted UNHCR to register your interest in a return program, UNHCR will call you back to counsel you on the return process including the steps you need to take in preparation. During this call, please disclose any medical conditions in your family. The person with the medical condition will be referred to a partner and assisted if found eligible.

After you have contacted UNHCR to register your interest, UNHCR will call you back to:

• Ask questions about your return plan, including what made you decide to return.
• Provide updated information on conditions in your intended area of return in Syria.
• Verify your family composition and assess your specific needs. Depending on your circumstances, UNHCR may refer you to partners to follow up on any specific needs in the family.
• Check if you have the required documents to receive the return cash grant.
• Check your documents and advise what civil documentation you will need for reintegration in Syria. Depending on your circumstances and with your consent, UNHCR may refer you to partners to provide you with legal assistance for obtaining civil documents in Lebanon or guidance on how to obtain academic documents in Lebanon.
• Advise on safe routes for return, exit procedures, and the impact of return on your UNHCR file and data sharing with the General Security Office (GSO).

If during this call, you confirm your interest in self-organized voluntary return to Syria, you will receive an SMS inviting you for an in-person interview at a designated UNHCR Return Center. Information on the time, date and location of the interview will be specified in the SMS.

During your interview, UNHCR will confirm that all adult family members are fully informed and freely and voluntarily choosing to return to Syria. UNHCR will ask for consent to share basic personal data for return services, and provide a Voluntary Repatriation Form, required for exiting Lebanon and redeeming a one-off return cash grant of 100$ per returning individual.

In-person interviews with UNHCR will take place at Return Centers across Lebanon, including the UNHCR Reception Centers in Beirut, Tripoli and Zahle. Additional Centers, including designated Community Development Centers (CDC) will also be announced shortly.

All adults, and dependent children, who plan to return to Syria must attend an in-person voluntary return interview with UNHCR. Although children should also be present, the interview will only be conducted with adults. The interview helps to ensure that the decision to return is informed, voluntary, and free of pressure or coercion.

Please bring the following documents to your interview:

• All available IDs (valid and expired) for each family member. This includes passports, national IDs, personal certificates, and/ or UNHCR certificates.
• Your Red Card and PIN, if you have one.
• Documentation relevant for your reintegration in Syria such as military booklets (if applicable), education documents, medical records, and legal documents regarding access to land or property in Syria. While these documents are not required to participate in any of the return programs, UNHCR highly recommends that you bring them. UNHCR can help you obtain missing documentation before your return.

Note: Civil documents, including birth, marriage, death certificates, are required in Syria to access services such as education, healthcare, legal aid, and housing. This is especially important for your children who may have been born, and lived, in Lebanon for many years. Obtaining these civil documents in Lebanon will support their integration in Syria.

You are strongly encouraged to obtain all documentation relevant for reintegration in Syria before your departure, with support of partners if necessary. However, if you choose to return to Syria sooner, please inform UNHCR as soon as possible by calling 04726111 or writing via the Online Contact Form at help.unhcr.org/lebanon/contact-us. In this case, UNHCR will invite you to an in-person interview via SMS.

The Voluntary Repatriation Form is an official document issued by UNHCR after the in-person interview. It contains key biodata and photographs of all family members planning return. Through receipt of the VRF, adults:

• Confirm that they have made a free and informed decision to return to Syria, and
• Consent to the sharing of personal data with GSO and UNHCR Syria for the purpose of facilitating safe return.

UNHCR is currently negotiating with authorities in Syria for the VRF to serve as a temporary identity or travel document to be recognized by Syrian authorities once stamped. You must carry the Voluntary Repatriation Form when crossing the border.

Participants of the program will receive a one-time, unconditional return cash grant of 100 USD per returning family member.

This support is meant to help you meet your immediate return-related needs — for example, transportation, accommodation or basic expenses. You are free to use it as you see fit.

The grant will be loaded to your Red Card (if you have one) or provided as cash over the counter at an OMT. The redemption modality will be determined during your interview with UNHCR.

You will be notified via SMS when you can redeem your return cash grant.

After redeeming the return cash grant, it is expected by GSO that you depart to Syria within two weeks. While we understand that individual situations may vary, we encourage you to return to Syria as soon as possible after receiving the grant.

Your UNHCR file in Lebanon will be closed once you redeem the return cash grant.

At the designated official crossing points, GSO will stamp your Voluntary Return Form upon exit and confirm to UNHCR that you have left Lebanon.

UNHCR Lebanon will also inform UNHCR Syria of your departure from Lebanon to facilitate your access to services inside Syria.

Yes, you can change your mind at any point before you withdraw the return cash grant and physically leave Lebanon. However, once you redeem the return cash grant or depart to Syria, UNHCR Lebanon will close your file and inform GSO of your departure, which means you will no longer be eligible for assistance in Lebanon.

To ensure a smooth and safe return, you must exit Lebanon through an official border crossing point. UNHCR will share your departure details with GSO who will ensure that you can benefit from the waiver on overstay fees and stamp your Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF). While you must organize your own transportation to Syria, departing through an official border crossing point ensures that your exit is officially processed and that you can fully benefit from the program.

UNHCR strongly advises against using unofficial crossing points as they expose individuals to significant risks including explosive objects, exploitation and abuse. In addition, return through unofficial crossing points will not be recognized by authorities and may result in denial of access to services inside Syria.

UNHCR has worked closely with the Government of Lebanon to ensure that administrative and financial barriers are waived for you to safely return through official crossing points. Participation in the self-organized voluntary return program includes signing a declaration of understanding stating that you will exit Lebanon through official crossing points only.

Please note: UNHCR is currently in discussion with the General Security Office (GSO) to formalize and confirm the procedures related to overstay fee waivers. We will provide updates as soon as more information becomes available.

You may be eligible for a waiver on overstay fees through participation in the self-organized voluntary return program. After your in-person interview with UNHCR, GSO will be informed of your departure to ensure that the necessary procedures are followed, and that the waiver is applied.

When you decide to return to Syria, it is important to understand how this may affect your legal status in Lebanon. Please note that procedures and regulations may change over time, and UNHCR will provide you with the most up-to-date information available during your counselling.

Your legal status will depend on the type of residency you held in Lebanon at the time of your departure:

• If you have a valid residency based on a sponsor, work permit, student visa, or courtesy residency: Your residency usually remains valid after you leave Lebanon, and you may be able to return within the time period allowed by your residency permit.
• If you have a valid residency based on a UNHCR certificate or any temporary residency: Your residency will be cancelled once you leave Lebanon and your UNHCR case will be closed. You may also be subject to a re-entry ban. If you wish to return to Lebanon in the future, you will need to meet the regular entry requirements and apply under one of the permitted entry categories.
• If you do not have valid residency: You will likely receive a re-entry ban.

Please note: UNHCR shares basic case information (not your full file) with the Lebanese General Security Office (GSO) for information and assistance purposes only. Once you return to Syria, you are no longer considered a refugee by UNHCR and will be regarded as a returnee.

We strongly encourage you to ask questions during your counselling call with UNHCR. You can also contact UNHCR at 04726111 for further clarification on how return may affect your legal status and residency in Lebanon.

Once you arrive in Syria, you will have access to a range of support services provided by UNHCR and its partners through Community Centers and other facilities. These services will be offered based on need and availability and tailored to assist individuals according to their specific circumstances. While conditions vary across different areas, support is available to help you reintegrate.

Key services and assistance include:

• Legal assistance: UNHCR and its partners offer free legal services to help individuals navigate challenges related to asylum, documentation, and other legal matters.
• Healthcare: Where available, access to healthcare services addresses basic medical needs, particularly for vulnerable groups.
• Education and child protection: Services for children, including access to education and child protection are available based on local resources.
• Shelter and non-food items: Shelter support and essential non-food items is prioritized based on urgency and specific needs.
• Psychosocial support: Specialized programs, including mental health and psychosocial support, is available to help individuals cope with trauma and other challenges.
• Family tracing: If you have been separated from your family, UNHCR, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and local partners, provides family tracing services to help reunite families. These services are free and are aimed at reconnecting individuals with lost or missing family members.
• There are 91 Community Centers and 27 Satellite Centers across Syria, where you can find services closest to your location.

For more information on services in Syria visit UNHCR’s Syria is Home website.

If you have a resettlement case and voluntarily decide to return to Syria on a permanent basis, the resettlement country will be informed about your return to Syria and your resettlement file will be closed. It is resettlement countries who decide

UNHCR is aware that some countries have suspended the processing of Syrian asylum claims but does not yet know if this suspension will extend to resettlement cases.

UNHCR continues to advocate with States that the situation in Syria remains uncertain and that individuals continue to need international protection and resettlement.