On this page you will find information about the help available to you if you have had to return to Afghanistan from Pakistan since 1 November 2023.
Whether you can get assistance from UNHCR will depend on your personal circumstances and the type of documents you have. Select your documents below to find out more information.
Do you have a VRF form?
Effective 14 November 2025, UNHCR will provide cash assistance to the following:
Among Proof of Registration (POR) and Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF) holders:
- Single women
- Female-headed households
- Households with a disabled family member
Those who meet the above criteria and completion of registration process will receive a onetime multipurpose return grant proportioned based on family size as follows:
| Categories | Amount (AFN) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Families of 1 person | 4,250 | 63 |
| Families of 2 persons | 5,800 | 86 |
| Families of 3 persons | 7,350 | 109 |
| Families of 4 persons | 8,900 | 132 |
| Families of 5 persons or more | 10,550 | 156 |
THOSE WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A VRF IN PAKISTAN
- Afghans holding a valid PoR who intend to return to Afghanistan can return by approaching UNHCR’s Voluntary Repatriation Centres in Pakistan (VRC Azakhel in Nowshera, KPK, and VRC Baleli in Quetta, Balochistan) to process and obtain a Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF). No prior appointment is required to approach the Voluntary Repatriation Centers.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT ADVICE
- PoR cards, VRFs, slips, or asylum certificates may be confiscated by the authorities in Pakistan. To avoid problems:
- Keep a clear photo of your documents on your phone
- Share copies with close relatives
- Keep a printed copy in a safe place
- Please be informed that if you choose to accept UNHCR’s cash assistance in Afghanistan:
- UNHCR/partner staff at the reception center will verify your documents (VRF, PoR, slip, or asylum-seeker certificate) to ensure authenticity.
- They will record basic information about you and your family and collect biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan). This helps prevent misuse of assistance.
- Biometric registration is mandatory to receive cash assistance. If you do not agree to this process, UNHCR cannot provide cash assistance.
- You do not need to surrender your PoR, slip, or asylum-seeker certificate to receive assistance.
- Persons with heightened protection risks and their family members will be required to present any available documentation to prove their identity as well as professional background. They will also undergo all the required steps of registration (including biometric registration) and protection assessment to determine their eligibility for assistance.
- Your cash assistance will be provided through a HesabPay prepaid card (UNHCR partner). The card works like a debit card and can be used at ATMs, POS terminals, and agent locations across Afghanistan. It will be credited instantly after registration and issued at the reception center. Keep your card and PIN secure, as it may be used for future top-ups if funds are available.
- Those who have returned/were deported from Pakistan and have already received assistance will not be eligible for cash assistance in the reception centers.
- Women and girls have the right to request a separate space or location to receive services to ensure they are safe and protected when receiving assistance.
Do you have a valid POR card?
Effective 14 November 2025, UNHCR will provide cash assistance to the following:
Among Proof of Registration (POR) and Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF) holders:
- Single women
- Female-headed households
- Households with a disabled family member
After presentation of the above documents, UNHCR/UNHCR partners protection teams will conduct an assessment to determine the vulnerability criteria mentioned above. Once you meet the above criteria, you will be referred to registration and assistance desks.
Cash Assistance Table:
Those who meet the above criteria and complete the registration process will receive a one-time multipurpose return grant proportioned based on family size as follows:
| Categories | Amount (AFN) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Families of 1 person | 4,250 | 63 |
| Families of 2 persons | 5,800 | 86 |
| Families of 3 persons | 7,350 | 109 |
| Families of 4 persons | 8,900 | 132 |
| Families of 5 persons or more | 10,550 | 156 |
- Cash assistance will be transferred via HesabPay prepaid card.
- In addition, returnees/deportees will receive basic health care, vaccination, overnight accommodation, protection counseling, mine risk education, child-friendly spaces, and malnutrition screening.
THOSE WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A VRF IN PAKISTAN:
- Afghans holding a valid PoR who intend to return to Afghanistan can return by approaching UNHCR’s Voluntary Repatriation Centres in Pakistan (VRC Azakhel in Nowshera, KPK, and VRC Baleli in Quetta, Balochistan) to process and obtain a Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF). No prior appointment is required to approach the Voluntary Repatriation Centers.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT ADVICE:
- PoR cards, VRFs, slips, or asylum certificates may be confiscated by the authorities in Pakistan. To avoid problems:
- Keep a clear photo of your documents on your phone
- Share copies with close relatives
- Keep a printed copy in a safe place
- Please be informed that if you choose to accept UNHCR’s cash assistance in Afghanistan:
- UNHCR/partner staff at the reception center will verify your documents (VRF, PoR, slip, or asylum-seeker certificate) to ensure authenticity.
- They will record basic information about you and your family and collect biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan). This helps prevent misuse of assistance.
- Biometric registration is mandatory to receive cash assistance. If you do not agree to this process, UNHCR cannot provide cash assistance.
- You do not need to surrender your PoR, slip, or asylum-seeker certificate to receive assistance.
- Persons with heightened protection risks and their family members will be required to present any available documentation to prove their identity as well as professional background. They will also undergo all the required steps of registration (including biometric registration) and protection assessment to determine their eligibility for assistance.
- Your cash assistance will be provided through a HesabPay prepaid card (UNHCR partner). The card works like a debit card and can be used at ATMs, POS terminals, and agent locations across Afghanistan. It will be credited instantly after registration and issued at the reception center. Keep your card and PIN secure, as it may be used for future top-ups if funds are available.
- Those who have returned/were deported from Pakistan and have already received assistance will not be eligible for cash assistance in the reception centers.
- Women and girls have the right to request a separate space or location to receive services to ensure they are safe and protected when receiving assistance.
Do you have a UNHCR asylum certificate or slip?
Among asylum certificate and UNHCR slip holders as well as undocumented Afghans with heightened protection risks in line with UNHCR Guidance Note on the International Protection Needs of People Fleeing Afghanistan.
After presentation of the above documents, UNHCR/UNHCR partners protection teams will conduct an assessment to determine the vulnerability criteria mentioned above. Once you meet the above criteria, you will be referred to registration and assistance desks.
UNHCR RECEPTION CENTERS:
- Those who arrive via Torkham crossing point (located in Nangarhar province) can access assessment and assistance process at Omari Reception Center (Torkham, Nangarhar), Open Sat-Fri, 08:00 AM – 12:00 AM
- Those who arrive via Spin Boldak crossing point (located in Kandahar province) can access assessment and assistance process at Takhtapol Reception Center (Spin Boldak, Kandahar), Open Sat-Fri, 07:00 AM – 10:30 PM
- Those who arrive via Bahramcha crossing point (located in Helmand province) can access assessment and assistance process at Lashkargah Reception Center (Lashkargah, Helmand), Open Sat-Thu, 08:00 AM – 4:30 PM
- Please ensure that you plan your travel to the above Centers in line with the operational hours outlined above. Outside of these hours, reception centers will only offer transit facilities (subject to space availability), and assistance processing will take place on the following day.
ASSISTANCE:
- Those who meet the above criteria and complete the registration process will receive a one-time multipurpose return grant proportioned based on family size as follows:
| Categories | Amount (AFN) | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Families of 1 person | 4,250 | 63 |
| Families of 2 persons | 5,800 | 86 |
| Families of 3 persons | 7,350 | 109 |
| Families of 4 persons | 8,900 | 132 |
| Families of 5 persons or more | 10,550 | 156 |
- Cash assistance will be transferred via HesabPay prepaid card.
- In addition, returnees/deportees will receive basic health care, vaccination, overnight accommodation, protection counseling, mine risk education, child-friendly spaces, and malnutrition screening.
THOSE WHO WISH TO OBTAIN A VRF IN PAKISTAN:
- Afghans holding a valid PoR who intend to return to Afghanistan can return by approaching UNHCR’s Voluntary Repatriation Centres in Pakistan (VRC Azakhel in Nowshera, KPK, and VRC Baleli in Quetta, Balochistan) to process and obtain a Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF). No prior appointment is required to approach the Voluntary Repatriation Centers.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENT ADVICE:
- PoR cards, VRFs, slips, or asylum certificates may be confiscated by the authorities in Pakistan. To avoid problems:
- Keep a clear photo of your documents on your phone
- Share copies with close relatives
- Keep a printed copy in a safe place
- Please be informed that if you choose to accept UNHCR’s cash assistance in Afghanistan:
- UNHCR/partner staff at the reception center will verify your documents (VRF, PoR, slip, or asylum-seeker certificate) to ensure authenticity.
- They will record basic information about you and your family and collect biometric data (fingerprints and iris scan). This helps prevent misuse of assistance.
- Biometric registration is mandatory to receive cash assistance. If you do not agree to this process, UNHCR cannot provide cash assistance.
- You do not need to surrender your PoR, slip, or asylum-seeker certificate to receive assistance.
- Persons with heightened protection risks and their family members will be required to present any available documentation to prove their identity as well as professional background. They will also undergo all the required steps of registration (including biometric registration) and protection assessment to determine their eligibility for assistance.
- Your cash assistance will be provided through a HesabPay prepaid card (UNHCR partner). The card works like a debit card and can be used at ATMs, POS terminals, and agent locations across Afghanistan. It will be credited instantly after registration and issued at the reception center. Keep your card and PIN secure, as it may be used for future top-ups if funds are available.
- Those who have returned/were deported from Pakistan and have already received assistance will not be eligible for cash assistance in the reception centers.
- Women and girls have the right to request a separate space or location to receive services to ensure they are safe and protected when receiving assistance.