Voluntary Repatriation

The situation inside Syria is rapidly changing and developing. At the present time, there are gaps in the information relating to return procedures and UNHCR is not able to advise refugees with current information on the situation in the areas of intended return, including the availability of protection and humanitarian assistance. UNHCR will continue to monitor and provide updates to refugees as the situation evolves. Please contact UNHCR Egypt via:

• UNHCR Infoline: Sundays to Wednesdays from 8:15 am to 3:30 pm
  and Thursdays from 8:15 am to 2:00 pm on 0227390400
• UNHCR Reception: Zamalek office, 5 Michel Lotf Allah, Zamalek, Cairo
  from Sunday to Thursday 08:00 am – 02:00 pm

If you wish to obtain an appointment for UNHCR case closure, please contact UNHCR Egypt via:

• UNHCR Infoline: Sundays to Wednesdays from 8:15 am to 3:30 pm and Thursdays from 8:15 am to 2:00 pm on 0227390400
• UNHCR Registration: Zamalek office, 5 Michel Lotf Allah, Zamalek, Cairo from Sunday to Thursday between 08:00 am – 02:00 pm

Given the evolving situation in Syria, UNHCR advises refugees to take a careful and cautious approach when deciding on any return or visit to Syria at the current time. Refugees should closely monitor developments and seek updated information from trusted sources or call UNHCR’s hotline if they have questions or concerns.

All refugees have the fundamental right to return to their country of origin freely and voluntarily, at a time of their choosing.

In view of the many challenges facing Syria’s population, including a large-scale humanitarian crisis, UNHCR is not currently promoting large-scale voluntary repatriation to Syria.

UNHCR continues to call on States not to forcibly return Syrian nationals and former habitual residents of Syria, including Palestinians previously residing in Syria, to any part of Syria.

UNHCR respects the individual decisions made by refugees who wish to return home and provides counselling to refugees who are in the decision-making process to ensure decisions are made in an informed and voluntary manner. In light of the fluid and unpredictable situation, there remain many open questions as to the availability of protection and humanitarian assistance available in Syria.

UNHCR continues to advocate that refugees should only consider return to Syria when they choose and are ready to do so. UNHCR continues to emphasize the importance of refugee views and perspectives related to returns in discussions with all partners.

UNHCR will continue to work with the Government of Egypt for the protection of refugees in Egypt.

No, it has not. As the situation inside Syria is quickly changing and developing, UNHCR continues to advocate with the Government of Egypt that any returns should be voluntary, dignified, and safe. UNHCR will maintain advocacy with the Government of Egypt and international community to respect the right to asylum and the principle of non-refoulement.

Should you be faced with arrest or other pressure to return, contact UNHCR Infoline or approach UNHCR reception or send an email to [email protected] or [email protected]

All refugees have the fundamental right to return to their country of origin at a time of their choosing, and all returns must be voluntary, dignified and safe.

UNHCR stands ready to support refugee returnees as conditions allow. For up-to-date information, please contact UNHCR Egypt via:

• UNHCR Infoline: Sundays to Wednesdays from 8:15 am to 3:30 pm and Thursdays from 8:15 am to 2:00 pm on 0227390400
• UNHCR Reception: Zamalek office, 5 Michel Lotf Allah, Zamalek, Cairo from Sunday to Thursday between 08:00 am – 02:00 pm

At the moment, UNHCR is not arranging transportation. UNHCR is also not providing repatriation grants prior to return.

Refugees willing to return to Syria from Egypt, can do so via Cairo International Airport.

If you are considering returning to Syria:

• Prepare your family: discuss your plans together. Share and write down important contacts.
• Pack essentials: keep important documents with you (ID cards, passports, civil and education documents). Take medicine, water, food, warm clothe and any special items.
• Explain to your children what is happening. Make sure they know their name, your name and your phone number.
• Make sure that you get all your children`s education related certificates authenticated and stamped prior to leaving Egypt. This would allow you to re-enroll them in schools at the right grade for their age in Syria and make the process much easier.

When in Syria:

• Be alert to explosives objects: If you see a suspicious object 1. STOP, 2. Do not approach, 3. do not touch, 4. In Syria, you can call 108.
• Avoid misinformation: Please contact UNHCR.
• Find UNHCR services and community centres in Syria: unhcr.org/sy/cc Please note that due to the changing situation on the ground, whilst the majority of centres are reopening – some community centres might have suspended services while others provide a limited number of services only. The situation is constantly changing but the webpage is being regularly updated.

Information on Inside Syria

UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria and is committed to stay and deliver. The volatile security situation in the past week has forced suspension of some of UNHCR’s services, but in areas where security is stabilizing, UNHCR is resuming activities to reach those most in need.

UNHCR Syria does not currently provide targeted monetary assistance for returnees. UNHCR Syria, alongside partners, provides humanitarian assistance to Syrians inside Syria on a needs basis.

If you wish to leave Egypt and travel to Syria, you need to:

• Approach UNHCR registration centre in Zamalek to submit a file closure request. You will be granted a file closure appointment on a later date.
• After attending the file closure interview, your file will be closed by UNHCR, and the closure details will be shared with Government of Egypt. You will also sign a closure document; a copy will be provided to you and another copy will be kept with UNHCR.
• After five working days, you will approach the UNHCR registration centre in Zamalek, Cairo and will be provided by an exit reference number issued by the Government of Egypt, that will be added to the closure document allowing you to leave the country.
• Upon receiving the relevant reference number from UNHCR Egypt, you will approach the Emigration, Passports and Nationality Administration (Communications department) in “Abasseya district ” after two weeks to apply for the exit permit. You will fill the needed forms and do the necessary steps including paying the exit fees for each individual on your case returning with you.
• You will be asked to come after around 15 days to get your exit visa.

Refugees holding expired UNHCR Cards can still proceed with case closure with UNHCR Egypt.

UNHCR is not currently providing material or financial assistance to refugees returning to Syria.

UNHCR is available to provide return counselling to refugees to ensure refugees can understand the returns procedures and raise any concerns. You can contact UNHCR Egypt via:

• UNHCR Infoline: Sundays to Wednesdays from 8:15 am to 3:30 pm and Thursdays from 8:15 am to 2:00 pm on 0227390400
• UNHCR Reception: Zamalek office, 5 Michel Lotf Allah, Zamalek, Cairo from Sunday to Thursday between 08:00 am – 02:00 pm

Prior to the current situation, refugees were required to have formal travel documents (a passport or a laissez-passer issued by the Syrian Embassy.) With the transition of leadership in Syria, UNHCR currently does not have information on the current entry requirements of the transitional authorities.

UNHCR and partners are monitoring the situation inside Syria closely. At the current time, we cannot provide confirmed or accurate information about the current security situation inside Syria.

UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria and is committed to stay and deliver. The volatile security situation in the past week has forced suspension of some of UNHCR’s services, but in areas where the security is stabilizing, UNHCR is resuming activities to reach those in most need.

Find UNHCR services and community centres in Syria: unhcr.org/sy/cc

Please note that due to the changing situation on the ground, whilst the majority of centres are reopening – some community centres might have suspended services while others provide a limited number of services only. The situation is constantly changing but the webpage is being regularly updated.

UNHCR Syria does not currently provide targeted monetary assistance for returnees. UNHCR Syria does not provide blanket shelter support to individuals returning to Syria. UNHCR Syria, alongside partners, does provide humanitarian assistance to Syrians inside Syria on a need basis.

The situation is continuously changing; the conditions today may not be the same tomorrow. UNHCR cannot comment now with reliability on the conditions of the roads in Syria. Prior to any travel, it is important for you to stay abreast of the updates coming out of Syria.

If you make the decision to return voluntarily to Syria with the intention of re-establishing yourself permanently in Syria, assistance that you may have been receiving in the country of asylum will be discontinued and your file with UNHCR Egypt will be closed.

UNHCR and other service or assistance providers are not currently reviewing or changing the assistance provided to refugees and asylum-seekers based on the current situation in Syria. For the immediate future, it is expected that assistance and services will remain the same. If there will be any changes to assistance provided, this information will be shared with the community prior to implementing the changes.

If you make the decision to return voluntarily to Syria – with the intention of re-establishing yourself permanently in Syria – the resettlement country will be updated of your return to Syria and your resettlement file will be closed.

The ultimate decision on your resettlement case rests with the resettlement country. UNHCR is aware of some States suspending the adjudication of Syrian asylum claims, but we do not have information yet if this will extend to resettlement cases. UNHCR will continue to advocate with States that the situation in Syria remains unclear and that individuals may continue to be in need of international protection and resettlement.

The ICRC in Syria has been working on the clarification of the fate of separate families and is following closely the evolving situation.

• Former detainees that need support to find their families and be reunited with them should contact ICRC on the following number: +963 953 555 431
• Families who are looking for their loved ones or former detainees, should contact ICRC on the following number: +963 936 033 628.

In neighboring countries, if you have family or friend missing in Syria, you can contact ICRC locally:

• Türkiye: Turkish Red Crescent at 168 or 312 584 18 68
• Lebanon: ICRC at 727 727
• Jordan: ICRC at 659 019 99 or the Jordan Red Crescent at 647 731 41
• Iraq: ICRC at 800 222 22
• Egypt: Egyptian Red Crescent at 011 445 560 02
• For other countries: https://familylinks.icrc.org/directory

UNHCR urges all States to grant civilians fleeing Syria non-discriminatory access to their territories. The principle of non-refoulement must be upheld at all times.

For many different countries – neighboring to Syria or further abroad – may have some travel or border restrictions for Syrians, it is imperative that individuals seek updated information about the country they are intended to travel to and the border they want to cross prior to attempting to travel.