Voluntary return and reintegration

The Finnish Immigration Service is responsible for the voluntary return programme (AVRR) in Finland. The programme is based on national legislation and regulated by the Ministry of Interior. The assisted voluntary return in Finland is designed for:

1. Asylum seekers who have either got a negative decision on their application or who have withdrawn their application,
2. Persons who have received temporary protection in Finland
3. Victims of human trafficking, who are clients of the National Assistance System for Victims of Human Trafficking and have not yet received a residence permit and home municipality

Assisted voluntary return can be organized for victims of human trafficking regardless of their nationality and country of return.  

Assistance for voluntary return includes:

1. Compensation of travel costs,
2. Help with return arrangements
3. Assistance to support the reintegration into the country of return. 

The return process

The National Assistance System or a reception centre, where the returnee is accommodated, fills in the AVRR application forms together with the victim wishing to return and processes the application. The process includes checking with the police whether the person can return to the destination country voluntarily. 

The reception centre and the National Assistance System are also obliged to fill a risk assessment form when the returnee is a victim of human trafficking. Especially the risk for revictimization is assessed in the form.

If the police have not started any procedures for expulsion or deportation and there are no other factors preventing voluntary return, the decision will be given to the returnee and sent to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to start the return arrangements. If the risk assessment form is not filled, IOM will not proceed with the return. 

IOM organizes the travel to the destination in the country of return and helps to organize the necessary documents for the returnee. With victims of trafficking extra consideration is taken with the travel arrangements. This can include, for instance:

• Contacting the local service provider or other actors in the country of return to ensure safe return and reintegration (by IOM or the Finnish Immigration Service)
• Careful evaluation of special needs of the returning victim 
• An escort will for the travel

Extra consideration is taken if the returnee is a child. When a child returns with parents, it is important to include the children in the return process. Children need to have enough knowledge of the return and have their wishes heard about the use of the reintegration grant so that the grant will benefit the children too. 

It is extremely rare that an unaccompanied child returns from Finland. However, additional precaution is taken in such cases. There are specific procedures for unaccompanied minors that include, for instance:

• The child’s parents or guardian need to be tracked before return
• Ensuring that it is safe for the child to return, and the parents or guardian will receive the child. 
• Confirming that the parents are not involved in the trafficking of the child. 

Reintegration

In the Finnish voluntary return programme, victims of trafficking are eligible for a reintegration grant. The grant, 3 000 euros, is based on the Decree on Assistance for Voluntary Return (2024). Victims of human trafficking may also be eligible for an additional assistance of 1 000 euros if they, for example:

• Have an illness or disability
• Are elderly 
• Need assistance because of a family situation or security reasons. 

Voluntary return assistance will not be paid in cash but in kind. The assistance will be used to purchase a range of services or supplies to help the returnee, for example for starting his/her own business, for education or training, for housing costs or for healthcare costs.

In some countries it is possible to get special services for victims of trafficking which will be covered by the reintegration grant. These include counselling, special health services or safe accommodation.

The reintegration plan is made based on the returnee’s needs. During the application process, the returnee discusses the plans for the reintegration support with the reception centre or the National Assistance System staff member. An initial plan is usually drafted before return. The final plan will be made in the country of return with a service provider.