Returning to Syria

⚠️Important Note:

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

Step 1: Request an Appointment with UNHCR

  • Fill UNHCR voluntary return appointment through Help Website. Return Appointment Request Form
  • 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