Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Page 1 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) About this guidance About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return Page 2 of 31 This is the guidance for assisted voluntary returns (AVR). In this section Changes to this guidance It tells you: what an assisted voluntary return (AVR) is information about the three different AVR programmes the procedure when an AVR application is accepted, rejected, withdrawn or cancelled. Changes to this guidance – This page tells you what has changed since the previous version of this guidance. Contacts – This page tells you who to contact for help if your senior caseworker or line manager can’t answer your question. Information owners – This page tells you about this version of the guidance and who owns it. Safeguard and promote child welfare – This page explains your duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and tells you where to find more information. Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Contact Information owner Related links Links to staff intranet removed Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Changes to this guidance This page lists changes to the ‘Assisted voluntary returns (AVR)’ guidance, with the most About this guidance recent at the top. What is assisted voluntary return? Date of the change Details of the change Voluntary assisted return and reintegration 2 April 2014 Change request: programme Assisted voluntary return Throughout guidance: for irregular migrants o applicants in immigration removal Assisted voluntary return centres not eligible for assisted for families and children voluntary return VARRP eligibility: AVR process o sub-heading ‘Eligible groups’, first AVR rejection, paragraph, fifth bullet point deleted withdrawal or o sub-heading ‘Eligible groups’, second cancellation paragraph, first bullet point new Background: benefits of o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, first assisted voluntary return paragraph, fifth bullet point split to create new sixth bullet point o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, fourth bullet point changed o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, sixth bullet point deleted VARRP assistance: o second paragraph, third bullet point changed AVRIM eligibility: o sub-heading ‘Eligible groups’, first paragraph, sixth bullet point deleted o sub-heading ‘Eligible groups’, second paragraph, first bullet point new Page 3 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Related links VARRP eligibility VARRP assistance AVRIM eligibility AVRIM assistance AVRFC eligibility AVRFC assistance AVR process Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return See also Contact Information owner Links to staff intranet removed Page 4 of 31 o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, first paragraph, fifth bullet point split to create new sixth bullet point o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, fourth paragraph changed o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, sixth paragraph deleted AVRIM assistance: o second paragraph, third paragraph changed AVRFC eligibility: o sub-heading ‘Eligible groups’, first paragraph, eighth bullet point deleted o sub-heading ‘Eligible groups’, second paragraph, first bullet point new o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, fourth bullet point split to create new fifth bullet point o sub-heading ‘Ineligible groups’, fourth paragraph changed AVRFC assistance: o second paragraph, third bullet point changed AVR process: o sub-heading ‘The application process’, sixth paragraph changed o sub-heading ‘Departure’, first paragraph changed Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return: o fourth paragraph, first bullet point changed, fifth bullet point changed Minor housekeeping changes. Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 11 November 2013 Six month review by the modernised guidance team: Minor housekeeping changes. For previous changes to this guidance you will find all earlier versions in the archive. See related link: Assisted voluntary returns archive. Page 5 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) What is assisted voluntary return? About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page explains what assisted voluntary return (AVR) is, and lists the AVR programmes that are available. AVR refers to a range of programmes available to people who are in the asylum system or who are irregular migrants, and who wish to return home permanently. This can be to their (non-European Economic Area) country of origin or to a third country where they are permanently admissible (country of return). AVRs differ from voluntary departures. They are dealt with by Choices, a charity completely independent to the Home Office, who help the applicant through each stage of the process. For more information, see related link. The Home Office deals with voluntary departures which are entirely separate from AVRs. There are three general AVR programmes (for more details, see links on left): Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme (VARRP) Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants (AVRIM) Assisted voluntary return for families and children (AVRFC). In all cases, the AVR team decides who is eligible for the AVR programmes. Page 6 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 External links Choices Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This section tells you about the voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme (VARRP). In this section VARRP eligibility VARRP is the assisted voluntary return (AVR) programme for people in the asylum system and those with related temporary status in the UK. VARRP assistance It is possible to apply for VARRP at any stage of the asylum process. You must continue to consider any asylum claim while an AVR application is ongoing. If someone wants to return home on an AVR they must not withdraw their asylum claim as this will make them ineligible for the programmes. All AVR returnees sign a declaration of voluntary return on application. They sign a disclaimer withdrawing any outstanding claims, for instance asylum claims, on departure from the UK. For information about VARRP eligibility, and the range of assistance available for VARRP applicants, see related links: VARRP eligibility VARRP assistance. Page 7 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) VARRP eligibility About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return Page 8 of 31 This page tells you who is eligible for the voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme (VARRP). Eligible groups The programme is open to anyone (including dependants) of a person who: has an asylum application pending has been refused asylum and is appealing against that decision has been refused asylum and has exhausted the appeals process has not withdrawn their asylum application, or has been refused asylum, but granted discretionary leave to remain in the UK outside the Immigration Rules. Except where: An application for VARRP is made by a detainee from within an immigration removal centre. It is believed an application for asylum was made for the sole intent of returning under VARRP. It is believed the application for VARPP is an abuse of the programme. Anyone included on the application form is involved in ongoing matters related to the criminal justice system. A deportation order is made against anyone on the application form. Return arrangements for anyone included on the application form are already in place. This may be reconsidered with the caseworker if there is a valid reason to overturn. For example, if it is in the best interest for the Home Office business. Anyone included on the application form has received custodial sentences in the UK, totalling 12 months or more, before Choices receives the application. The application includes a dependant not involved in the asylum application. Anyone included on the application form is part of a returning family group eligible for Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 In this section VARRP assistance the assisted voluntary return for families and children (AVRFC) scheme. The applicant is an unaccompanied child. Ineligible groups The programme is not open to those who: are British citizens, or nationals of Switzerland or the European Economic Area (EEA) states have been granted humanitarian protection, indefinite leave to remain and/or refugee status have never sought asylum in the UK have permission to enter or remain in the UK for non-asylum or non-humanitarian reasons, for example as a student, spouse or visitor are immigration detainees have removal directions set at any time during their current case are convicted offenders subject to deportation orders have been convicted of a serious immigration offence, for example, facilitation and/or people trafficking, or have indicated their only reason for leaving is to change their immigration status to reenter the UK. In each individual case, applications are received and screened by Choices. The final decision about suitability of applications for the programme rests with the assisted voluntary returns (AVR) team. Also, the majority of individuals who have already participated in an AVR programme are excluded from taking part a second time if they return to the UK. However, an application from a previous participant will be carefully considered, taking all relevant factors into consideration. Relevant factors may include a significant change in the country situation, a new basis of asylum claim, and previous participation in AVR as a dependant. Only two AVR applications are normally considered for each applicant. No application will be considered from a detained applicant. Anyone who cancels or withdraws their application or does not leave within three months of approval on two occasions will no longer be eligible Page 9 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 for the programmes. A third application will be considered on production of evidence to support exceptional reasons why departure through AVR has not taken place. This applies to applications made for any AVR programme. In each case the decision about consideration of a third AVR application rests with the AVR team. The eligibility criteria may be altered on a case-by-case basis to meet the business needs of the Home Office, but this requires assistant director (grade 7) authority. Page 10 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) VARRP assistance About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page tells you the assistance available for those who return under the voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme (VARRP). Choices will: help the applicant get travel documentation, if needed arrange and pay for flights arrange transport to the UK departure airport, if needed give assistance at the departure airport, and arrange onward transport, if needed, when back in the country of origin or the third country to which a person is permanently admissible (country of return). Those who return under VARRP are eligible for up to £1,500 worth of reintegration assistance for each person, including a £500 relocation grant in cash on departure for immediate resettlement needs. Once home, a range of reintegration assistance options are available, tailored to the returnee’s individual needs. This assistance is to help returnees to make an income and become financially independent. To take up this part of the reintegration assistance, returnees must contact Choices within one month of their return. All reintegration assistance is supplied within the first six months of return. Reintegration assistance can be used for any of the following: Page 11 of 31 business set-up education vocational training job placement housing (temporary accommodation or for repair work) childcare fees, or Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 In this section VARRP eligibility medical and psychosocial support. Page 12 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return Page 13 of 31 This section tells you about the assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants (AVRIM) programme. In this section AVRIM eligibility AVRIM is the assisted voluntary return (AVR) programme for people who are in the UK illegally and wish to return to their home country. AVRIM assistance For information about AVRIM eligibility, and the range of assistance available for AVRIM applicants, see related links: AVRIM eligibility AVRIM assistance. Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) AVRIM eligibility About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return Page 14 of 31 This page tells you who is eligible for the assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants (AVRIM) programme. Eligible groups The programme is open to anyone (including dependants) of a person, who: has been accepted by the Home Office as a victim of trafficking has entered the UK illegally, having been smuggled from abroad has otherwise entered the UK illegally has been granted conditional leave to enter or to remain, but breached one or more conditions of that leave, or has not applied for asylum but has been granted discretionary leave to remain in the UK outside the Immigration Rules. Except where: An application for AVRIM is made by a detainee from within an immigration removal centre. Anyone included on the application form is involved in ongoing matters related to the criminal justice system. It is believed the application for AVRIM is an abuse of the programme. A deportation order has been made against anyone included on the application form. Return arrangements for anyone included on the application form are already in place. This may be reconsidered with the caseworker if there is a valid reason to overturn. For example, if it is in the best interest for the Home Office business. Anyone included on the application form has received custodial sentences in the UK, totalling 12 months or more, before Choices receives the application. Anyone included on the application form is part of a returning family group eligible for the assisted voluntary return for families and children (AVRFC) programme. The applicant is an unaccompanied child. Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 In this section AVRIM assistance Ineligible groups The programme is not open to those who: are British citizens, or nationals of Switzerland or the European Economic Area (EEA) states have been granted humanitarian protection, indefinite leave to remain and/or refugee status have sought asylum in the UK and has not withdrawn the application, or left the UK since that application have permission to enter or remain in the UK for non-asylum or non-humanitarian reasons, for example as a student, spouse or visitor, and has breached any conditions of that leave are immigration detainees have removal directions set at any time during their current case are convicted offenders subject to a deportation order have been convicted of a serious immigration offence, for example, facilitation and/or people trafficking has chosen to withdraw their extant leave to make a return through the programme, or have indicated their only reason for leaving is to change their immigration status to reenter the UK. In each individual case, applications are received and screened by Choices. The final decision on suitability for the programme rests with the assisted voluntary returns (AVR) team. Also, the majority of individuals who have already participated in an AVR programme are excluded from taking part a second time if they return to the UK. Each application from a previous participant is carefully considered, taking all relevant factors into consideration. Relevant factors include a significant change in the country situation, or previous participation in AVR as a dependant. Only two AVR applications are normally considered for each applicant. No application will be considered from a detained applicant. Anyone who cancels or withdraws their application or Page 15 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 does not leave within three months of approval on two occasions will no longer be eligible for the programmes. A third application will be considered on production of evidence to support exceptional reasons why departure through AVR has not taken place. This applies to applications made for any AVR programme. In each case the decision about consideration of a third AVR application rests with the AVR team. The eligibility criteria may be altered on a case-by-case basis to meet the business needs of the Home Office, but this requires assistant director (grade 7) authority. Page 16 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) AVRIM assistance About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page tells you the assistance available to anyone who returns under the assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants (AVRIM) programme. Choices will: help the applicant get travel documentation, if needed arrange and pay for flights arrange transport to the UK departure airport, if needed give assistance at the departure airport, and arrange onward transport, if needed, when back in the country of origin or the third country to which a person is permanently admissible (country of return). AVRIM reintegration assistance Up to £1,000 cash grant is available to particularly vulnerable applicants. For example applicants: who have been subject to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence suffering with a terminal illness, or who have a serious medical condition and have had, for example, a stroke and/or heart attack. All requests require evidence from a medical professional before the application can be considered. The evidence must be sent to the assisted voluntary returns (AVR) team as consideration and final approval rests with them. Page 17 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 In this section AVRIM eligibility Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Assisted voluntary return for families and children About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This section tells you about the assisted voluntary return for families and children (AVRFC) programme. In this section AVRFC eligibility Family groups made up of a maximum of two adult parents or legal guardians and at least one child, under 18, qualify for AVRFC. Unaccompanied children, under 18, also qualify for AVRFC. AVRFC assistance If a family group includes any other adults they may apply for the voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme (VARRP) or assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants (AVRIM) programme. As all AVRFC applications include children, the assisted voluntary return (AVR) team make checks with the applicant’s local social services department and the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). The AVR team deals with applications involving children in line with the statutory duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. For more information on safeguarding children, see related link: Safeguard and promote child welfare. For information about AVRFC eligibility, and the range of assistance available for AVRFC applicants, see related links: AVRFC eligibility AVRFC assistance. Page 18 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Related links Links to staff intranet removed Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) AVRFC eligibility About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page tells you about eligibility for the assisted voluntary return for families and children (AVRFC) programme. In this section AVRFC assistance Eligible groups The programme is open to family groups comprising of a maximum of two adult parents or legal guardians and at least one child (under 18), and from unaccompanied children (under 18) who: Related links Links to staff intranet removed have an asylum application pending have been refused asylum and are appealing against that decision have been refused asylum and have exhausted the appeals process have entered the UK illegally, having been smuggled from abroad have otherwise entered the UK illegally have been granted conditional leave to enter or to remain, but have breached one or more conditions of that leave have been refused asylum, but granted discretionary leave to remain in the UK outside the Immigration Rules, or come under any of the above categories when anyone included on the application form was accepted by the Home Office as a victim of trafficking. Except where: An application for AVRFC is made by a detainee from within an immigration removal centre. Anyone included on the application form is involved in ongoing matters related to the criminal justice system, and/or a deportation order was made against anyone included on the application form. This is unless the parent or legal guardian has been accepted under the facilitated returns scheme (FRS). In these circumstances, decided on a case by case basis, the parent will depart under an FRS package and the child under AVRFC. Page 19 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 It is believed by the assisted voluntary returns (AVR) team that the application for AVRFC is an abuse of the programme. Return arrangements for anyone included on the application form are already in place. This may be reconsidered in conjunction with the caseworker if there is a valid reason to overturn the decision. For example if it is in the best interest for the Home Office business to assist return rather than enforce removal. Anyone included on the application form has received custodial sentences in the UK, totalling 12 months or more, before Choices receives the application. Ineligible groups The programme is not open to those who: are British citizens, or nationals of Switzerland or the European Economic Area (EEA) states have been granted humanitarian protection, indefinite leave to remain and/or refugee status have permission to enter or remain in the UK for non-asylum or non-humanitarian reasons, for example as a student, spouse or visitor and have not breached any conditions of that leave are immigration detainees have removal directions set at any time during their current case are convicted offenders subject to deportation orders have been convicted of a serious immigration offence, for example, facilitation and/or people trafficking have chosen to withdraw their extant leave to make a return through the programme, or have indicated their only reason for leaving is to change their immigration status to reenter the UK. In each individual case, applications are received and screened by Choices. The final decision on suitability of the applicant for AVRFC rests with the AVR team. Also, the majority of individuals who have already participated in an AVR programme are excluded from taking part a second time if they return to the UK. Each application from a Page 20 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 previous participant is carefully considered, taking all relevant factors into consideration. Relevant factors may include a significant change in the country situation, a new basis of asylum claim, and previous participation in AVR as a dependant. Only two AVR applications are normally considered for each applicant. Anyone who cancels or withdraws their application or does not leave within three months of approval on two occasions will no longer be eligible for the programmes. A third application will be considered on production of evidence to support exceptional reasons why departure through AVR has not taken place. This applies to applications made for any AVR programme. In each case the decision about consideration of a third AVR application rests with the AVR team. The eligibility criteria may be altered on a case-by-case basis to meet the business needs of the Home Office, but this requires assistant director (grade 7) authority. Page 21 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) AVRFC assistance About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page tells you the assistance available for anyone who returns under the assisted voluntary return for families and children (AVRFC) programme. In this section AVRFC eligibility Choices will: Related links Links to staff intranet removed help the applicant get travel documentation, if needed arrange and pay for flights arrange transport to the UK departure airport, if needed give assistance at the departure airport, and arrange onward transport, if needed, when back in the country of origin or the third country to which a person is permanently admissible (country of return). Those who return under AVRFC are eligible for up to £2,000 worth of reintegration assistance per person, including a £500 relocation grant in cash on departure for immediate resettlement needs. Once home, a range of reintegration assistance options are available, tailored to the returnee’s individual needs. This assistance is to help returnees make an income and become financially independent. To take up this part of the reintegration assistance, returnees must contact Choices within one month of their return. All reintegration assistance is supplied within the first six months of return. Reintegration assistance can be used for any of the following: Page 22 of 31 business set-up education vocational training job placement housing (temporary accommodation or for repair work) childcare fees, or Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 medical and psychosocial support. Page 23 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) AVR process About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page tells you about the assisted voluntary return (AVR) process. Initial contact Those interested in returning on an AVR programme must contact Choices on their free phone number 0808 800 0007. For more information see related link: Choices. The application process Once the applicant has decided to return, they must fill in the appropriate form and sign a declaration of voluntary return. All applications must be sent to Choices. Choices send completed application forms to the AVR team to check eligibility and they enter applications on CID and complete a variety of checks to confirm applicants are eligible for the programme applied for. All applicants must be checked against the Police National Computer (PNC). Applicants for the assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants (AVRIM) programme must give their fingerprints. You may also ask some applicants for the voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme (VARRP) and assisted voluntary return for families and children (AVRFC) programme to give their fingerprints. As all AVRFC applications include children, you must make checks with the applicant’s local social services department and the Children and Families Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS). This is in line with your duty to carry out any functions for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. For more information see related link: Safeguard and promote child welfare. You must approve or reject the application and inform Choices of the decision. You must update CID at the same time. Successful applicants have up to three months to depart the UK. Page 24 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Related links Links to staff intranet removed External links Choices Impact on enforcement removal actions Home Office staff must stop all enforcement removal actions when an applicant applies for AVR. The date of AVR application is the date on which it was received by Choices and not the AVR team. Consequently, there may be a one to three day delay in the application information being put on CID. When removal directions are set after the application date for AVR, and provided the AVR team can approve the application, Home Office staff must cancel the removal directions to allow the person to leave voluntarily. When live removal directions are set before the application date for AVR, the AVR team will reject the application. There are no circumstances where an AVR application will delay, postpone or interfere with a scheduled enforced removal. If you come across an AVR applicant with a live application during an enforcement operation, you must contact the AVR team in office hours. The presumption must be that the Home Office will allow the applicant to make an AVR, but if there is information that may change an applicant’s eligibility you must immediately tell the AVR team through the AVR duty inbox (see related link). The AVR team will decide if AVR can continue and note CID. Home Office staff must always release any documentation requested by the AVR team, for example, passports or identity cards, to positively identify the applicant and facilitate return. If an individual applies for AVR and has previously started a judicial review, their return should not be deferred. Documentation Choices start to provide the support needed by applicants for their return when the Home Office approves an AVR application. They help returnees get travel documentation, liaising with embassies, high commissions and the Home Office when necessary. Departure Choices arrange and pay for the international flight. They arrange transport to the departure airport if needed and meet returnees at the airport to help them through the departure Page 25 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 process. All AVR returnees must sign a disclaimer withdrawing any outstanding applications on departure for: asylum-based applications, this is an IS.101PA non-asylum applications, this is an IS.101. Support in the country of return Choices are working to allow the meeting of returnees when they arrive in their country of origin or the third country to which they are permanently admissible (country of return), arranging onward domestic transport if needed. Delivery of reintegration assistance in the country of return will start, if applicable and if requested by the returnee. Case closure Restricted – not for disclosure – start of section The information in this page has been removed as it is restricted for internal Home Office use only. Restricted – not for disclosure – end of section Page 26 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page tells you about the circumstances when an assisted voluntary return (AVR) application is rejected, withdrawn or cancelled. Related links VARRP eligibility The AVR team will reject an AVR application if the applicant is not eligible for the programme. For more information about eligibility for the AVR programmes, see related links: AVRIM eligibility VARRP eligibility AVRIM eligibility AVRFC eligibility. Links to staff intranet removed An applicant can withdraw from an AVR programme at any time before departure. The AVR team inform the immigration compliance and engagement (ICE) team (formerly known as local immigration team (LIT)) who must reconsider enforcement action and the potential for the applicant receiving section 4 support. For more information on section 4 support, see related link. The AVR team will cancel an AVR application if: the applicant fails to travel within three months of approval date for their application, and there is no valid reason for not travelling within this time contact between the applicant and Choices is lost within the three months allowed for departure, or a change in the applicant’s circumstances makes them ineligible for the AVR programme they applied for. The AVR team and Choices keep each other informed about all rejected, withdrawn and cancelled cases. Page 27 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 AVRFC eligibility Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return Page 28 of 31 This page explains the benefits of assisted voluntary return (AVR) for the applicant. You can use the information on this page to explain the benefits of AVR to potential and current applicants. Restricted – do not disclose – start of section The information in this page has been removed as it is restricted for internal Home Office use only. Restricted – do not disclose – end of section An AVR offers the applicant: Help all the way home. Choices arrange flight tickets and can help get travel documentation. They also arrange transport to the departure airport, and transport from the arrival airport in the country of origin or a third country to which a returnee is permanently admissible (country of return), if needed. A dignified return. Travel is on normal commercial flights as an ordinary passenger, without being escorted by Home Office staff. A more sustainable return. Choices give reintegration assistance in the country of return to those that qualify. This assistance can help the returnee to become financially independent through: o business set-up o education o vocational training, or o job placements. Information and choice. Choices keep applicants fully informed about the process and options available. Control over their return. AVR is entirely voluntary and applicants can have up to three months in which to get their affairs in order before their return. A confidential service. Choices treat all enquiries in the strictest confidence. They will Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 not communicate details of an applicant’s immigration status or asylum claim in the UK to the government in the country of return. Page 29 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Contact About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page explains who to contact for more help with a specific assisted voluntary return (AVR) case. If you have read this guidance and still need more help with an AVR case, you must first ask your senior caseworker or line manager. Restricted – do not disclose – start of section The information in this page has been removed as it is restricted for internal Home Office use only. Restricted – do not disclose – end of section While an AVR application is ongoing, applicants must contact Choices on 0808 800 0007 if they wish to talk about their case. However, caseworkers must not contact Choices directly about individual cases. Changes to this guidance can only be made by the modernised guidance team (MGT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact the AVR team, who will ask the MGT to update the guidance, if appropriate. The MGT will accept direct feedback on broken links, missing information or the format, style and navigability of this guidance. You can send these using the link: Email: Modernised guidance team. Page 30 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Related links Changes to this guidance Information owner Links to staff intranet removed Assisted voluntary returns (AVR) Information owner About this guidance What is assisted voluntary return? Voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme Assisted voluntary return for irregular migrants Assisted voluntary return for families and children AVR process AVR rejection, withdrawal or cancellation Background: benefits of assisted voluntary return This page tells you about this version of the ‘Assisted voluntary returns (AVR)’ guidance, and who owns it. Version Valid from date Policy owner Cleared by director Director’s role Clearance date This version approved for publication by Approver’s role Approval date 10.0 2 April 2014 Assisted voluntary return (AVR) team Hugh Ind Director, compliance and returns 31 March 2014 Naomi Hatton Director, operational policy and rules 1 April 2014 Changes to this guidance can only be made by the modernised guidance team (MGT). If you think the policy content needs amending you must contact the AVR team, see related link, who will ask the MGT to update the guidance, if appropriate. The MGT will accept direct feedback on broken links, missing information or the format, style and navigability of this guidance. You can send these using the link: Email: Modernised guidance team. Page 31 of 31 Guidance – Assisted voluntary returns – version 10.0 Valid from 2 April 2014 Related links Changes to this guidance Contact Links to staff intranet removed
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