Voluntary return and reintegration

Voluntary return of a victim of human trafficking and reintegration

The Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI) offers presumed victims of human trafficking assisted return and reintegration through the International Organization for Migration (IOM)’s return programme for vulnerable migrants.  

VARP is offered to asylum seekers and migrants without a legal right to stay in Norway, including victims of human trafficking. 

In order to initiate the voluntary return, victims must submit their application to UDI. After UDI approves the return, IOM assists the victim with its planning and implementation. IOM prepares a return plan in close dialogue with the victim, adapting it to the victim’s needs. A risk assessment is conducted for every returning victim.

When applying for assisted return for minors, UDI must cooperate with the police and child welfare services to assess whether returning the child to their parents or other caregivers is in the child’s best interests

IOM makes the travel arrangements and helps the victim at the airport during the trip. Assistance provided as part of VARP also includes covering travel expenses and offering possible cash or in-kind reintegration assistance. The amount of financial support granted depends on whether the application is filed before or after the date the person is supposed to leave Norway. Presumed victims of human trafficking, who are considered as vulnerable applicants, will receive an additional 37 000 NOK to support with the reintegration.