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:
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.
Sorouh for Sustainable Development Foundation (SSDF) is looking to hire two (2) Refugee Advisors for the Refugee Peer-to-Peer Advisory Network Programme. This programme is about building a regional and global network for refugees to share information on how to develop skills and find work.
What’s the job about? In Iraq, the main goal of this job is to help run the Peer-to-Peer Advisory project. This means creating training, developing learning materials, providing advice one-on-one or in groups, leading counseling sessions, and supporting other activities that help refugees.
Where is the job based? The job is based in KRI (Kurdistan Region of Iraq). You will also work with refugees in different communities, such as the Tertiary Refugee Students network, DAFI Student Clubs, or other student groups.
How to apply? The deadline to apply is March 4, 2025. Apply now by visiting this link: Apply for the position.
Feel free to share this with other refugees or anyone who might be interested!
As you are aware, government officials will be conducting a countrywide census, aiming to gather accurate data on everyone in Iraq. Refugees and asylum seekers are included in the census.
Your participation is important.
Here’s what to know:
Curfew Details: A curfew will be in effect from midnight, November 19th until November 21st to facilitate the census. Refugees and asylum seekers are reminded to follow the government’s instructions.
Access to Services: Authorized personnel will continue to assist where needed, so essential services will remain available during the curfew.
Your Cooperation: We kindly urge you to cooperate and support the census team by providing relevant information and documentation when requested.
Following the preparation of area of origin documentation for refugee newborns, families add children’s information to the Syrian family booklet or request their relatives in Syria (or hire agents or lawyers) to prepare the documentation on their behalf. During this process, some children’s information is inaccurately recorded, such as errors in the Dates of Birth (DOB) and, in some cases, errors in the names. As a result, there is an increasing number of cases where the Date of Birth on the passport or family booklet differs from the actual DOB recorded on the birth certificate issued in Iraq and the UNHCR Certificate.
Implications/consequences of Inaccurate Information
Enrollment of the child in the correct Level of education: While access to education is not directly impacted, incorrect Date of Birth can affect children’s enrolment in the correct grade level in school. This often results in children being enrolled in lower grades than their actual age would qualify them for.
Discrepancy in Biodata information: The inconsistencies lead to discrepancies in biodata information and conflicting identity documents. Families may only address these inconsistencies during Family Reunification embassy appointments, which can create additional complications.
What to do to avoid the issues
Communicate the exact Date of Birth and name of the child as stated on the birth certificate issued in Iraq to the authority, or relatives (or hire agents) when adding the child to the Family booklet in Syria.
Ensure your Syrian family booklet reflects the exact Date of Birth and name of the child as stated on the birth certificate issued in Iraq.
Where to go if you are impacted and want to resolve their biodata
If your child’s birth certificate document information has inconsistencies with your UNHCR certificate, please immediately request a biodata change through the UNHCR KOBO form. Keep in mind:
Depending on the nature of the inconsistencies, in some cases, you may be referred for additional clearances, including from Asayesh.
The process varies from one governorate to another. For minor inconsistencies, the UNHCR registration team might assist you in correcting the biodata directly without requiring additional clearances.
