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International Organization for Migration - Activities - Assisted Voluntary Return  - Pilot Assisted Voluntary Return Project

Pilot Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Project

The general approach of EU and IOM is that voluntary form of return is a much preferred option for a migrant in an irregular situation. To complement the on-going work on creating efficient mechanisms of readmission in Russia, in August 2008, IOM launched a pilot Assisted Voluntary Return (AVR) Project which aims to assist irregular stranded and destitute migrants currently in the Russian Federation who choose to voluntarily return home and whose countries of origin or permanent residence are not the CIS or OECD or EU Member States.

The beneficiaries are selected on the basis of their particular vulnerability. The general criteria of candidate selection is that the applicant is in irregular situation, stranded and destitute and is willing to return home voluntarily however has no means and/or permission to leave the Russian Federation. IOM’s assistance includes counseling and provision of information on the availability of voluntary return assistance; support in obtaining necessary travel documentation through relevant consular authorities and the Federal Migration Service of the Russian Federation; return transportation arrangements; and departure assistance.

By March 2009, IOM was able to assist a total of 25 persons who were found eligible to benefit from the AVR Programme. The pilot AVR project targets to assist up to 100 persons with returning to their homes by the end of the Programme and will also be extended to a number of vulnerable irregular migrants of Russian origin currently staying in EU countries and having no means to return back to Russia.