Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assistance is offered to failed asylum seekers in order to help them return to their country of origin.

The Home Office operates two Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) schemes for those without permanent immigration status in the UK and for which failed asylum seekers are eligible. These are:

Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programme (VARRP) for those who have sought asylum and those with discretionary leave in the UK. Returnees receive support in acquiring travel documentation, flight to the country of return and onward domestic transport, airport assistance at departure and arrival airports and up to £1500 worth of reintegration assistance per person.

Assisted Voluntary Return for Families and Children (AVRFC) is for families comprising of a maximum of 2 adult parents or legal guardians and at least 1 child (under 18), and also unaccompanied children (under 18) who have either sought asylum or who are in the UK illegally and wish to return home. Returnees receive support in acquiring travel documentation, flight to the country of return and onward domestic transport, airport assistance at departure and arrival airports and up to £2000 worth of reintegration assistance per person.