The UNHCR Cash Assistance Programme for the most vulnerable refugees will come to an end on 31 December 2025 due to current funding constraints, and no additional resources are available at this time.
UNHCR continues to actively advocate and fundraise for this programme, with the hope of securing resources to reinstate assistance in the future. Should new funding become available, refugees will be informed immediately through our usual communication channels. Due to funding shortages, UNHCR is unable to continue providing monthly cash assistance beyond December 2025.
All refugees currently supported by the cash programme have already been informed of this change through SMS and phone calls. We understand that this support has been important for your household, and we appreciate your understanding during this transition. If additional funding becomes available in 2026, UNHCR will review the programme and inform refugees immediately through SMS, phone calls, and community channels. Please ensure your contact details are up to date so you can receive future notifications.
You may continue to contact UNHCR through the Helpline at ?0662330304 for information on available services, including protection and legal assistance. While the cash assistance programme is ending, other services and protection support remain available.
We thank you for your cooperation throughout the programme. We understand that this change may be difficult, and UNHCR remains committed to supporting refugees through available services and protection assistance.
? Stay informed. Use official channels. All UNHCR services are free of charge.
Over the past several years, UNHCR has been collecting information from Syrian Refugees in the region on their intention to return and their socio-economic status. This information helps UNHCR understand refugees’ plans for their future and to align our programing with the priorities and intentions of refugees, whether this is in Iraq or Syria.
NAMA, a survey company based in Jordan, will contact some of you from November 3 to December 10, 2025, on behalf of UNHCR. A random selection of individuals will be called on the phone to answer the questions; if you have been randomly selected to participate,
You will receive a phone call from this Jordanian number ? +962 79 280 1111
We appreciate the communities vigilance and further appreciate that you as ask the identity of the caller to verify that they are from NAMA. Remain vigilant to a call from unknown sources.
The information collected during this survey is presented anonymously and the participation is on a voluntary basis. It is not compulsory to respond.
Participation in these intention surveys is not related to humanitarian assistance provided in your country of residence and does not affect refugees’ eligibility to receive assistance and services.
⚠️Please note that all UNHCR services are free of charge.
This information applies only to asylum-seekers and refugees registered with UNHCR residing in Central and Southern Iraq, including Kirkuk and Ninewa Governorates. It does not apply to refugees residing in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Refugees in the Kurdistan region should follow UNHCR’s official channels for updates.
Important Information for Syrians and Palestinian Refugees from Syria holding UNHCR certificate or PC-MOI card in Central and Southern Iraq including Kirkuk and Ninewa
If you are a Syrian refugee—or a Palestinian refugee from Syria—currently living in central or southern Iraq including Kirkuk or Ninewa Governorates and thinking about returning to Syria voluntarily, please read the following steps carefully. This guide is here to help you understand the process, prepare in advance, and return safely and with dignity based on your voluntary and informed decision.
? UNHCR’s Position on Return
UNHCR does not promote return to Syria. UNHCR advocates with Host Government not to forcibly return Syrian refugees due to ongoing risks in many areas.
However, if you decide to return voluntarily, UNHCR will respect your decision and help ensure the process is safe, informed, and dignified. For more information about Syria, please read https://syriaishome.org/en/
✅ Return Support in Baghdad
All key actors—UNHCR staff, PCMoI, and the Directorate of Residency Affairs—work together to facilitate your return process in a smooth and timely manner
? The importance of the process with UNHCR
Refugees who return with UNHCR’s Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF) are considered returnees in Syria. UNHCR informs UNHCR Syria about your return which may lead to possible post-return follow-up and support.
If you do not go through this process, UNHCR Syria will not be informed of your return.
? What to Prepare Before You Start
Make sure the following are in place before requesting an appointment:
Please ensure the following documents and legal matters are addressed before you begin the process:
✅ UNHCR Registration
Make sure you and all your family members are registered with UNHCR Iraq before starting the return process.
Registration is essential to have your return properly recorded.
Example: If your spouse is not registered with UNHCR, they may face high overstay fines and could have difficulty completing the return process with your family.
✅ Travel Documents
You need a valid Syrian passport or travel document issued from the Syrian embassy in Baghdad to return to Syria.
Please prepare your Syrian travel document and any other documents proofing your identity. If you don’t have a passport, you must obtain a travel document from the Syrian Consulate or Syrian Embassy in Baghdad before departing.
✅ Birth Registration for Children Born in Iraq
If your child was born in Iraq and does not have a birth certificate, contact UNHCR’s legal partner, IRC, at ? 80095050 for help.
✅ Legal Matters (e.g. Custody, Divorce)
If you have unresolved legal issues—such as custody of children or a pending divorce—please contact IRC at ? 80095050 before starting the return process.
If only one parent is planning to return with a child, UNHCR may need to review the custody arrangement and obtain written consent from the non-traveling parent.
✅ If You or a Family Member Has a Special Need
If you or someone in your family has specific needs, please flag it to UNHCR staff members during your verification counseling.
✈️ Step-by-Step: How to Return Voluntarily to Syria
UNHCR will set your appointment at UNHCR center in Baghdad( Baghdad, Mansour, Rowad street, behind Jabbar Abu AlSharbat Restaurant) Please wait to be contacted by UNHCR.
The PC-MoI will facilitate your safe passage through checkpoints so you can reach your appointment without problems.
What happens at the appointment? You’ll receive counseling to help ensure your decision is voluntary and informed. You’ll also get information about possible support in Iraq and in Syria and capture any inquiries or concern you have.
Step 2: Attend Your UNHCR Appointment
Bring:
Personal documents (passport, travel document).
UNHCR certificates
All family members who are returning with you
At your appointment:
UNHCR will verify your identity and family composition
You will receive counseling to make sure your decision is voluntary and informed
Your and your family’s information will be collected
If you are eligible for cash assistance, one member of your family will be assigned as the cash collector.
You will be issued a Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF)
You will handover your UNHCR certificate.
? For families with children: UNHCR will ensure that no child is separated from their parents or caregivers. If a child is returning without both parents, and/or staying behind, special assessments will be required to protect the child’s best interest.
Step 3: Go to Baghdad Directorate of Residency Affairs [Baghdad, Karrada, Fateh Square, near The National Theater] and approach PC-MoI counter on the same day you visited UNHCR
Submit your VRF
PCMoI will:
Conduct biometric verification
Issue a Non-Objection Letter in case you are registered in PC-MOI registration database
Deregister you and collect your PCMoI cards
If you are one of the persons who has been granted refugee status, the case will be presented to the chairperson of the Committee through a request submitted to PC-MOI
Step 4: Approach Residency counter at Baghdad Directorate of Residency Affairs
The Residency Directorate will:
Verify your residency status
Apply a reduced overstay fine (maximum 100,000 IQD) if you overstayed and are not registered with PC-MoI.
Issue an Exit Permit valid for 10 days
Retrieve your residency card or documentation
Step 5: Final Validation by UNHCR
UNHCR will review your file and confirm that all steps are complete
Your Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF) will be stamped
You are now cleared to travel
Step 6: Organize Your Travel
You must depart Iraq within 10 days of receiving your Exit Permit
You may travel through:
Al-Qaim border crossing, or
Baghdad International Airport
If you plan to leave through the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI), you must show:
A passport with an entry stamp from KRI, or
A KRI-issued residency card (even if expired)
Step 7: At the Border
The Residency Office will verify your documents
Step 8: UNHCR case closure
UNHCR will close your case file in Iraq
? One-Off Cash Support for Voluntary Return in Pilot exercise in 2025
If you are eligible and decide to return through UNHCR’s voluntary return process, you may receive a one-off cash grant of 130,000 IQD per person to support your return. This assistance is available based on the following criteria:
✅ Eligibility Criteria:
You have been registered with UNHCR Iraq for at least 6 months (excluding newborns), and
You have not previously received this one-off cash assistance for return, and
You have not permanently returned to Syria before the official launch date of the assistance program.
⚠️ Important Note: If you do not meet these criteria (for example, you were registered for less than 6 months, already received the return assistance, or previously returned to Syria and re-registered), you are still eligible to go through the voluntary return procedures. However, you will not be eligible for the cash grant.
There are no additional criteria for this 2025 pilot grant beyond those listed above.
How to receive the Return Cash Assistance:
After submitting your VRF form, you’ll receive an SMS within 3 days with details about your cash assistance.
? Read the SMS carefully. It includes who is the cash collector, the amount, suggested Zain Cash agent location, and the deadline.
? The person named in the SMS must visit the Zain Cash agent before the deadline. Show the SMS and ask the agent to scan your IRIS. Always request to see the IRIS scan result.
?You may cash out at any agent of your choice. The SMS only suggests the nearest agent for your convenience.
? If you face any issues call UNHCR helpline: 0662330304.
? Cash assistance is free. Agents must not charge any fees—UNHCR covers all service costs.
? After You Arrive in Syria
If you returned through UNHCR process and shared your WhatsApp number:
UNHCR Syria or its partners may contact you for a follow-up
? Final Reminders
Your return is voluntary. You can change your mind at any point before departure.
Going through UNHCR’s official process is the only way to receive a Voluntary Repatriation Form (VRF) which is important document upon return.
For legal help (birth certificates, custody issues), call IRC at ? 80095050
Make sure you bring and provide a working WhatsApp number
To help you access the right services, petition your feedback and complaint, and receive timely responses, UNHCR has launched a new unified helpline for both its cash assistance and general protection services. This helpline will:
Give you accurate and up-to-date information on UNHCR and UNHCR partners’ services
Help you link with the available government services
Connect you to the CBI call center if you have problems with your Multipurpose Cash Assistance (MPCA)
Offer general protection support for urgent needs and refer you to available services
Provide information on return procedures for those who wish to return to Syria.
Receive your reports of fraud, corruption, and misconduct.
Call 0662330304 available
?From Sunday to Wednesday ?8:30 AM – 4:00 PM
?On Thursdays ?8:30 AM – 3:30 PM
⚠️All calls are confidential
Emergency Contact
If you have urgent issues such as eviction, arrest, detention, or refoulement, please contact UNHCR’s Legal Partner immediately.
Duhok – Harikar NGO ? 07507336297
Erbril – INTERSOS? 07510313071
Sulaymaniyah – INTERSOS ? 8001022
Center and South Governorates – IRC ? 80095050
Kirkuk – IRC ? 80095050
Mosul – IRC ? 80095050
UNHCR has useful tools to help you find services on your own:
The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) has issued a special instruction giving all Syrians 60 working days (starting June 15, 2025) to fix their residency status in the Kurdistan Region without paying fines.
Why Is This Important?
This is a one-time opportunity to legalize your stay or return home safely without paying fines. Please do not wait. Act now to protect yourself and your family.
The final date of this waiver period is 8 September 2025.
All those who apply before the final date will be processed by the Residency Departments without paying fines.
What Can You Do?
If you would like to regularize your stay in the Kurdistan Region, by acquiring a new residency or extend your expired residency permit, please visit the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah.
For those seeking to return to Syria and want to regularize their overstay fines, please visit the Residency Departmentin Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah.
For more information about the instruction, please follow the links below:
You may also see the news media coverage of the waiver ➡️here
If you need assistance contact UNHCR’s legal partners for free advice and support:
Governorate
Partner Organization
Phone
Duhok
Harikar NGO
0750 853 2209
Erbil
INTERSOS
0751 031 3071
Sulaymaniyah
INTERSOS
8001022
Share this information with your family and friends.
All services provided by UNHCR and Partners are Free of Charge.
Questions and Answers:
Q: Who does this apply to?⬇️
A: All Syrians in the Kurdistan Region without a valid residency permit, or whose permit has expired, and those willing to return to Syria, regardless of their status with residency.
Q: What is the deadline?⬇️
A: You have 60 working days starting June 15, 2025.
Q: What happens if I want to stay?⬇️
A: Go to your local Residency Department and renew or apply for your residency. No fine if done within the 60-day window.
Q: What if I want to go back to Syria?⬇️
A: You can go to the Residency Department in Erbil, Duhok, or Sulaymaniyah and follow the instructions of the authorities. You will not pay fines if you have overstayed your residency or never acquired one prior.
Failure to acquire, renew or extend your residency and traveling outside of KRI can lead to serious risk including arrest, detention or deportation.
This channel will provide trusted and up-to-date information for refugees and asylum-seekers in Iraq. You’ll receive updates from UNHCR on: ?️ UNHCR news and announcements. ? Services and support available ⚖️ Protection and legal guidance.
Your Privacy Matters
This is a one-way channel — your name and phone number are not visible to other followers. UNHCR does not process your personal data through this channel. WhatsApp collects and processes data as part of its platform use, as with any WhatsApp communication.
How to join? ⬇️
Make sure you have WhatsApp installed on your phone.
Over the past several years, UNHCR has been collecting information from Syrian Refugees in the region on their intention to return and their socio-economic status. This information helps UNHCR understand refugees’ plans for their future and to align our programing with the priorities and intentions of refugees, whether this is in Iraq or Syria.
NAMA, a survey company based in Jordan, will contact some of you from May 26 and throughout June 2025 on behalf of UNHCR. A random selection of individuals will be called on the phone to answer the questions; if you have been randomly selected to participate,
You will receive a phone call from this Jordanian number ? +962793031619.
We appreciate the communities vigilance and further appreciate that you as ask the identity of the caller to verify that they are from NAMA. Remain vigilant to a call from unknown sources.
The information collected during this survey is presented anonymously and the participation is on a voluntary basis. It is not compulsory to respond.
Participation in these intention surveys is not related to humanitarian assistance provided in your country of residence and does not affect refugees’ eligibility to receive assistance and services.
⚠️Please note that all UNHCR services are free of charge.
The UNHCR-DAFI programme team is conducting a global survey to better understand your journey, both during and after the DAFI programme, including continuing studies, employment, internships, volunteering, entrepreneurship, leadership, and community engagement. By responding to this survey, you will help us strengthen support for DAFI students and align the programme more closely with real-world challenges, opportunities and needs.
?To participate in the survey, please check your email for a custom link. If you did not receive one and would like to participate, email us at [email protected] to request your link to the survey.
?️ Deadline: 25 April 2025 ⏱️ Takes about 20 minutes ✅ Participation is voluntary
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