What is Voluntary, Safe, Dignified and Orderly Return?
Voluntary return is the return of a foreigner under international protection and temporary protection to the country of which he/she is a citizen, where he/she has previously resided, where he/she was under protection or where he/she was legally present in any way, either voluntarily or within the scope of organized programs in cases where the need for protection no longer exists. In order for the return in question to be voluntary, the person must have made the decision with his/her own free will.
Basic Principles of Voluntary Returns
Returns are carried out in line with the principles of voluntary, safe, dignified and orderly return in accordance with international law.
In our country, no foreigner under temporary protection or international protection is forcibly returned to his/her country of origin; he/she is not subjected to any pressure to return to his/her country of origin.
In addition, it is important that returnees have a standard of living befitting human dignity.
In order to ensure the continuity and sustainability of returns, reintegration of returnees is emphasized in a sensitive manner.
Voluntary, Safe, Dignified and Orderly Return Transactions
1. Making an Appointment for Application
Syrians who want to make a voluntary return, can make an appointment for the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management in the province where they reside via randevu.goc.gov.tr.
The date and time of the appointment is notified via SMS.
When making an appointment, it is necessary to specify which border gate to be exited through on the system.
2. Going to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management
Voluntary return transactions must be carried out in the province where the foreigner is registered.
Those who apply to the provincial directorate of migration management in the province where they reside on the appointment day and time for voluntary return will primarily have their fingerprints taken and necessary inquiries conducted. Afterwards, "Voluntary Return Form" and "Road Permit Document" for a period of 15 days for their travel to the province where the border gate to be exited through is located, are issued by the Provincial Directorate.
3. Border Gate Transactions
Fingerprint verifications are carried out.
Those who have missing documents in the document checks will have their documents completed, if possible.
Those who will return voluntarily are required to go to the border gate to be exited through within the period of the Road Permit Document issued to them.
Those who are in need of accommodation during their transactions at the border gates are accommodated in temporary accommodation centres for the duration of their transactions.
4. Exit Transactions
Those whose transactions are completed by the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management at the border gate are allowed to exit the border gate after customs transactions.
"Temporary Protection Identity Documents" of those who return voluntarily are received.
Voluntary Return Appointment Transactions
The "Voluntary Return Form" is issued by the governorship of the province of residence for foreigners under temporary protection who request voluntary return. The voluntary return transactions of Syrians under temporary protection in Türkiye are carried out under the supervision of international organizations and non-governmental organizations. For the voluntary return of Syrian foreigners, the "Voluntary Return Form" issued for the foreigner shall be signed by the officials of the Presidency of Migration Management, as well as the representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), or by the Red Crescent official if the UNHCR representative cannot be found. In the absence of UNHCR and Red Crescent officials, it is signed by a representative of a non-governmental organization deemed appropriate by the governorship or by an official of the human rights and equality board of the governorship.
"Road Permit Document" is issued for a duration of 15 days to foreigners whose voluntary return transactions are completed, so that they can travel to the border province from which they will exit our country following the completion of their transactions.
Voluntary return transactions are currently carried out at the İstanbul and Ankara air border gates and the Hatay (Cilvegözü-Yayladağı-Zeytindalı), Kilis (Öncüpınar-Çobanbey), Şanlıurfa (Akçakale-Ceylanpınar) and Gaziantep (Karkamış) land border gates.
After the necessary investigations are carried out on foreigners whose necessary documents are issued by the provinces of residence and directed to border gates, these foreigners are ensured to leave our country and their "Temporary Protection Identity Documents" are received and destroyed. For foreigners who exit from our country within the scope of voluntary return, the relevant restriction code is entered at the land border gate from which they exit and their temporary protection is terminated due to "Voluntary Return".
The following steps are followed in Permitted Exit-Entry Transactions for Voluntary Return:
1. Making an appointment for “Permitted Exit-Entry” via the Göç Randevu System (randevu.goc.gov.tr).
2. Going to the Provincial Directorate of Migration Management on the date and time specified in the appointment information to be sent as a text message (SMS) and having the necessary controls carried out. (Fingerprint verification, UYAP record enquiry etc.) If there is no obstacle for exiting the country, an interview regarding the Permitted Exit-Entry request is held. Issuance of a Road Permit Document for a period of 15 days in order for the person to travel to the province where the border gate that the person wants to exit through is located.
3. Fingerprint verification of the foreigner at the border gate and providing final checks on whether there is an obstacle to exit.
4. Ensuring the permitted exit of Syrians, for whom a “Travel Document for Foreigners” is issued, after customs procedures.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING VOLUNTARY RETURNS
1. What is Voluntary Return?
Voluntary return is the return of a foreigner under international protection or temporary protection voluntarily to his or her own country, based on his or her own free will. This return must be made in a safe and dignified manner. It is not possible to talk about voluntary return without all of these elements of the return in question together.
In this context, Türkiye adopts the principle of “safe, voluntary, dignified and orderly return" for the return of foreigners to their countries.
2. Why Voluntary Return?
Voluntary return can be preferred for many different reasons and motivations. The first and most important of these reasons is the elimination of the conditions that caused the mass influx. In addition, it is a process that migrants may prefer for personal, social, cultural and economic reasons such as homesickness, the development of economic opportunities in their own country, social and cultural reasons, and integration difficulties in the country where they are located.
3. How to do Voluntary Return?
Voluntary return transactions are carried out by the Presidency of Migration Management. Foreigners who want to return to their country voluntarily can apply to the Provincial Directorates of Migration Management in their provinces of residence and initiate voluntary return transactions. Applicants are provided with the necessary information about the procedures at the Provincial Directorates of Migration Management.
4. Which Border Gates are Used for Voluntary Return?
Voluntary return transactions are currently carried out at the İstanbul and Ankara air border gates and the Hatay (Cilvegözü-Yayladağı-Zeytindalı), Kilis (Öncüpınar-Çobanbey), Şanlıurfa (Akçakale-Ceylanpınar) and Gaziantep (Karkamış) land border gates.
10.744 people were rescued in 460 calls through YIMER 157.
