Instructions to Iraqi asylum seekers on voluntary return
If you want to return to Iraq, you have three different alternatives:
- You can arrange your return journey yourself.
- The police can help you return to BAGHDAD.
- You can return to any town or city in Iraq after being granted assistance for voluntary return.
More detailed instructions are given below.
1. You can arrange the return journey yourself
You can arrange your return journey yourself if you have enough money to buy the travel tickets. This is the quickest way to return to your home country. Your reception centre cannot give you any money or assist you with buying the tickets or with obtaining a passport.
If you have a valid passport:
1. Cancel your asylum application:
- You can cancel your application before you leave the country at a police station or at the Helsinki Office of the Finnish Immigration Service.
- You can cancel your application also at the border control at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Make sure to allow enough time for the border control!
2. Buy a travel ticket. Please note that you cannot fly via the Schengen area. Instead, you must fly outside of the Schengen area directly from Helsinki.
3. Tell the reception centre where you live that you are leaving.
If an authority has your passport:
1. Cancel your asylum application at a police station. Ask the police for instructions on how to get your passport back.
2. Buy a travel ticket.
3. Tell the reception centre where you live that you are leaving.
If you do not have a passport:
1. Get a temporary travel document for your home journey. In order to get the document, you must visit the Embassy of Iraq in person. Contact the Embassy of Iraq in Finland, which is located in Kulosaari in Helsinki:
Lars Sonckin tie 2
00570 HELSINKI
+358 9 681 8870
info@iraqiembassy.fi
Please note that your reception centre cannot arrange your journey to Helsinki or your accommodation in Helsinki. Instead, you must take care of these arrangements by yourself in advance. You must contact the embassy before you travel to Helsinki.
2. Cancel your asylum application:
- You can cancel your application before you leave at a police station. If some of your documents are in the possession of the police, ask for instructions on how to get them back at the police station.
- You can cancel your application also at the border control at the Helsinki-Vantaa airport. Make sure to allow enough time for the border control!
3. Buy a travel ticket. Please note that you cannot fly via the Schengen area. Instead, you must fly outside of the Schengen area directly from Helsinki.
4. Tell the reception centre where you live that you are leaving.
2. The police can help you if you cannot afford to buy travel tickets and you want to return quickly to BAGHDAD
If you want to return quickly to Baghdad, the police can help you with arranging your return journey. If you are returning with the help of the police, you will not be granted cash assistance or other assistance. The return journey extends only to the Baghdad airport. You must arrange the rest of your journey yourself. The return journeys arranged by the police are intended for adults and families only.
1. Cancel your asylum application at a police station. If you have a passport or other documents, bring them with you to the police station. Tell the police that you want to return to Iraq with their help. Read also theinstructions given by the police
2. The police will inform your reception centre of when you need to arrive at the transit department in Vantaa. Until then, you should stay and wait in your reception centre. The reception centre will give you a travel ticket to Vantaa and tell you how to get there. PLEASE NOTE! You cannot travel to Vantaa before your reception centre gives you permission to do so.
3. The police will arrange your flight to Baghdad. The transit department in Vantaa will tell you the departure time of your flight and how to get to the airport.
3. You are returning ELSEWHERE THAN TO BAGHDAD or need special assistance in order to return home
If you are returning elsewhere than to Baghdad and you need help with the travel arrangements, or you need special assistance during the journey or after returning home, you can apply for assisted voluntary return at your reception centre. Unaccompanied minor asylum seekers can also be granted assistance for voluntary return in order to return home.
1. Apply for assisted voluntary return at your reception centre. Ask the personnel at the reception centre for more information. Instructions can also be found at www.migri.fi/return.
2. Cancel your asylum application in person at a police station or at the Helsinki Office of the Finnish Immigration Service. You cannot get assistance if your asylum application is still pending.
3. If you are granted assistance for voluntary return, you can get assistance with your travel arrangements and with obtaining a passport and receive travel tickets to your home country. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) takes care of the arrangements.
4. In addition to the travel tickets, you can also receive assistance for reintegration in your home country.
Ask for more information at your reception centre or at a police station.
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