Passenger Transportation Assistance (Buses)
Since 20 January, UNHCR has provided passenger transportation assistance for voluntary return for eligible refugees returning to Syria, including refugees living in urban areas and Garden Camp. In partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM), similar transportation assistance has also been available for refugees residing in Azraq and Za’atari Camps. If you register your interest in return assistance through UNHCR’s helpline, you will be contacted for an interview. During this interview, UNHCR will assess your eligibility and explain the available transportation options, including any relevant next steps
Until 30 September 2026, IOM will continue to provide transportation support for eligible refugees in Azraq and Za’atari Camps. UNHCR will provide information during the interview on whether this assistance is available to you and how to enroll. Refugees residing in Azraq Camp may also contact the IOM helpline (0798144044) for information about transportation support.
From 1 October 2026, UNHCR will provide transportation assistance directly to eligible refugees returning to Syria, regardless of their place of residence.
FAQs on UNHCR Jordan’s Passenger Transportation Assistance for Voluntary Return:
Since 20 January 2025, UNHCR has been supporting refugees who wish to voluntarily return to Syria by providing free bus transportation through JETT. Each family member receives a bus ticket and an allowance of up to 50kg of accompanied luggage.
UNHCR’s passenger transportation assistance for refugees returning to Syria is available to both refugees living in urban areas, as well as those in camps (Azraq, Za’atari, and Garden Camps) Buses currently depart from Amman, Zarqa, Irbid, Mafraq, Azraq, Za’atari and Garden Camps.
The buses will drop passengers at any of the following locations inside Syria:
Dara’a
- 18th March Rest stop close to the Nasib border crossing (إستراحة 18 آذار)
- Al Kherbih Bridge (جسر الخربة)
- Sanameyn Bridge (جسر الصنمين)
Damascus
- Sahnaya Bridge (جسر صحنايا)
- Al Qadam (القدم)
Homs
- Northern Station (مجمع الشمال)
Travel beyond these locations to your final destination inside Syria must be arranged and paid for directly by refugees themselves.
If you are interested in the passenger transportation assistance for voluntary return program you should apply for returns assistance by contacting UNHCR’s Helpline (06-4008000) to express your interest in return. You should call at least one month before your planned departure date.
After expressing your interest, you will be called for an interview with UNHCR. If you are eligible for the passenger transportation assistance for voluntary return program, your interviewer will ask if you are interested in traveling on UNHCR’s buses and explain the next steps.
All Syrian refugees who are actively registered with UNHCR in Jordan and hold valid UNHCR documentation (Asylum Seeker Certificate or Proof of Registration that is not expired) are eligible to participate – provided their decision to return is voluntary and well-informed.
Refugees who have travel bans and/or circulations are not eligible for the transportation assistance for voluntary return as they must clear their situation before leaving Jordan. You can check for a circulation or travel ban by calling 117111 and providing your MOI card number. Please remember to check for circulations on all members of your family (including children) as often debts and circulations at public hospitals may be against a child’s name.
1Express Your Interest
- If you are thinking about returning to Syria and are interested in UNHCR’s transportation assistance for voluntary return to Syria, you must contact UNHCR yourself. UNHCR will not contact refugees first – you must take the first step to show your interest in returning.
You can register your interest by calling the UNHCR Helpline (06-4008000) during working hours (Sunday-Thursday, 8am-4pm).
2Follow the instructions from the helpline
If you are eligible for the assistance for voluntary return programs, please follow the prompts from the helpline:
Answer a few automated questions.
You will hear a message confirming that your interest is recorded.
3Attend Your Interview with UNHCR
- Once you receive a call or SMS with your in person or telephone interview appointment:
- Attend the interview on your scheduled date with all family members who plan to return.Bring the following documents for each family member:
- Valid UNHCR proof of registration document.Syrian national ID, passport (if available).Ministry of Interior (MOI) card.
- Attend the interview on your scheduled date with all family members who plan to return.Bring the following documents for each family member:
- UNHCR will also ask that you provide contact information for a friend or relative who will stay in Jordan that we can follow-up with if you are unreachable or to confirm your return.
- During the interview, UNHCR will:
- Explain the return process.
- Answer your questions.
- Ask a few questions about your plans and reasons for returning.
- UNHCR will ask you to verbally confirm your decision to return to Syria is voluntary. We will also ask for your permission to share some key information with UNHCR and partners inside Syria.
- If you are eligible for passenger transportation assistance, your UNHCR interviewer will ask if you are interested in traveling with UNHCR’s buses.
- If you express interest in the passenger transportation assistance, UNHCR will call you back after you receive your cash assistance to schedule you for an upcoming departure.
- If you are not interested in the passenger transportation assistance and will organize your travel to Syria yourself, you will still receive your cash assistance for voluntary return, but UNHCR will not contact you to schedule you for a bus departure date.
4 Departure Coordination
Once you receive an SMS indicating that your cash assistance is available, you will have 15 days to depart Jordan. (link to Cash assistance FAQs)
A UNHCR staff member will call you after your cash assistance is received to:
- Reconfirm your interest in returning to Syria with UNHCR’s passenger transportation assistance.
- Verify the number of travelers.
- Confirm the date of travel.
- Bus movements will typically be scheduled every Wednesday. Refugees will be given the option of two departure dates over the two weeks from the date of receipt of the cash assistance.
UNHCR will provide information on the departure point, luggage allowance, and gathering times.
5Departure from Jordan
- Please arrive at your departure point at the scheduled time with all traveling relatives and luggage.
- A UNHCR staff member will be present at the departure point to check you in, verify your identity and provide any needed information.
- UNHCR staff will additionally be present at the Jaber Border to support you through the immigration formalities and answer any questions you may have.
If you make the decision to return voluntarily to Syria using UNHCR’s transportation assistance your UNHCR file will be closed once UNHCR receives information from the Government of Jordan that you have exited Jordan.
If you receive assistance for voluntary return, whether through cash assistance or passenger transportation, and later re-enter Jordan, your UNHCR case will not be re-opened, even if you can provide proof of authorized re-entry. By accepting assistance for voluntary return, you confirm to both UNHCR and the Government of Jordan that you intend to return to Syria permanently. As a result, you waive the possibility of re-opening your UNHCR case in Jordan. This condition forms part of the Government of Jordan’s approval of the voluntary return assistance programme.
Please only apply for the program if you are sure of your decision to return to Syria. The assistance is intended to support those who have made a clear, voluntary, and well-informed decision to return and re-establish their lives in Syria; it is not meant to support those who wish to remain in Jordan.
If you change your mind about returning, please call UNHCR’s Helpline at 06-4008000 as soon as possible so we can update your case. This helps us ensure you continue to receive appropriate support and services in Jordan.
If you are still uncertain, we encourage you to take more time and speak with UNHCR for advice and information before applying. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call the Helpline. UNHCR is here to support you in making a safe, voluntary, and informed decision that is best for you and your family. You are never under pressure to return.
| Note: UNHCR services are entirely free of charge. If anyone asks you for money, personal information, or documents in exchange for UNHCR’s services, please report the incident immediately to UNHCR through the official Helpline (06-400-8000) or send an e-mail to [email protected]. |