Voluntary Return to Syria

How can UNHCR support refugees at the Jaber Border?

Should you need any assistance at the border, please call the UNHCR helpline (064008000). UNHCR can support by guiding you through the exit formalities or liaising with relevant authorities to address any issues that may arise.

It is the responsibility of individual refugees to ensure they have the required documentation and clear all relevant legal issues in Jordan (including warrants and generalizations – تعميم) prior to their departure.

Will I lose my refugee status and access to assistance in Jordan if I choose to permanently return to Syria?

Yes. If you voluntarily decide to return to Syria with the intention of settling there permanently, your refugee status in Jordan will end, and all assistance and services you were receiving through UNHCR and its partners in Jordan will stop.

This will only happen after UNHCR verifies that you have permanently left Jordan and are no longer residing in the country.

What will happen to my resettlement case if I return to Syria?

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 countries suspending the adjudication of Syrian asylum claims, but UNHCR does not have information yet if this will extend to resettlement cases.

UNHCR continues to advocate with States that the situation in Syria remains unclear and that individuals continue to be in need of international protection and resettlement.

What kind of support can I expect once I cross the border into Syria?

UNHCR Syria, through its partner the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) and together with the Syrian Ministry of Health (MoH) have resumed operations at the Border Health and Protection Support Post (BHPSP) in Nasib. The BHPSP is located in the arrivals area after immigration at the Nasib border and is available to provide advice and information to returnees. In addition, the BHPSP can provide limited medical assistance (basic medicines, blood pressure checks, and onward referral), as well as drinking water, restrooms, and access to internet/phone lines. The BHPSP is not a distribution site for material assistance.

What kind of support can I expect once I arrive to Syria?

It is important to understand that the support available inside Syria remains very limited and varies based on location inside Syria. Available assistance programs and eligibility requirements will be regularly updated on the Syria is Home website (www.syriaishome.org).

UNHCR is working to scale-up community-based interventions inside Syria to support returnees and local communities, focusing on strengthening the resilience and enhancing access to vital services. To find more information and contact details of UNHCR’s community centers in Syria, please visit: https://www.unhcr.org/sy/cc

Types of assistance provided by UNHCR and our partners may include:

• Legal support (for civil documentation)
• Some medical assistive devices may be provided based on need and availability.
• Gender-based violence (GBV) and child protection case management
• Awareness raising on protection from sexual exploitation and abuse
• Mental health and psycho-social support
• Limited multi-purpose cash assistance (based on assessed needs)
• Livelihood support
• Shelter support
• Inclusive care for the elderly and persons with disabilities
• Orientation/Referral towards other services providers, support 220 etc.

Does UNHCR Syria offer any cash assistance to returnees to support with re-integration?

Upon arrival in Syria, returnees previously registered with UNHCR in Jordan and who were receiving or eligible for monthly cash assistance in Jordan, may be eligible for a one-time cash grant of $400 USD per family (regardless of family size.) This reintegration cash grant is intended to support you to re-establish yourself in your home country.

Please note that not all returnees are eligible for this grant, and refugees should not base their return decision on the expectation of receiving the reintegration grant. UNHCR Syria will only contact returnees who may be found eligible. More information can be found at the Syria is Home website.

How will I know if I am eligible for the reintegration grant in Syria?

If found eligible, you will be contacted by UNHCR in Syria via WhatsApp from the number: +41 22355 0561 with details about when and where to collect the assistance.

Please note you cannot apply for this one-time reintegration cash grant in Syria from UNHCR in Jordan, and the assistance is not distributed by UNHCR staff in Jordan, including those at the Jaber Border.

The reintegration grant is payable one time per family. If a member of your family registered on your UNHCR file in Jordan has already returned to Syria and received the reintegration cash grant, you and your remaining family members in Jordan will not be eligible for another reintegration cash grant from UNHCR Syria if you later decide to return to Syria.

Please continue to monitor the Syria is Home website for updates on the program.

How will UNHCR Syria know if I am eligible for the reintegration grant after my return?

If you or your family member is a Syrian refugee who has already voluntarily returned to Syria and your individual file has been inactivated by UNHCR in Jordan, your personal data will be processed by UNHCR in Syria for the purposes of identifying beneficiaries for basic needs assistance.

Your personal data may also be shared with UNHCR’s trusted partners in Syria, including WFP and UNICEF, for the same reason. The data may include the following:

1. Basic biodata: e.g., full name, mother’s name, gender, date of birth, country, and area of origin, area of return, birthplace, ethnicity, education and occupation, date, and mode of your return to Syria, your marital status, your family composition.
2. Necessary information about any specific needs (e.g., health conditions) that you or your family members may have to allow for more targeted assistance and support,
3. Major life events in the country of origin and/or the country of asylum
4. Photo, fingerprints and iris scan for identification and assistance distribution
5. Contact information such as address in Syria and phone number to be able to contact you over WhatsApp.

What documents do I need to return to Syria? 

Syrians are allowed to return to Syria using any one or more of the following documents:

• Valid or expired Syrian passport
• Laissez-passer issued by the Syrian Embassy
• Ministry of Interior (MOI) Service Card issued by the Government of Jordan

Babies under one year of age that do not have any of the above documents can return to Syria with their birth certificates issued in Jordan and certified by the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).

Note: UNHCR strongly encourages refugees to obtain birth certificates for all their children born in Jordan and certificates for other vital events (such as marriages, deaths, custody) prior to their return, even if they are in a possession of a Syrian laissez-passers, Syrian passport, MOI Service Card or UNHCR Asylum Seeker Certificate. Once you arrive to Syria, the procedure to obtain such certificates may become complicated due to different reasons, such as some civil registries not being operational. If you are not able to obtain birth certificates for your children born in Jordan or certificates of other vital events, please inform UNHCR by calling the IVR helpline protection option (06-400 8000) or ARDD (0777387221) to look at other alternatives.

Refugees should follow the instructions at the Embassy accordingly and can seek further advice. The Syrian Embassy is located at Pr. Hashim St 79, Abdoun, Amman and can be reached at (06) 592 0648.

UNHCR will continue clarifying the information on border formalities with the concerned authorities, especially the documentation requirements, and updating communities and partners.

How can I obtain/renew a Syrian passport?

The Syrian embassy currently issues new passports and renews expired passports. All these procedures are now done electronically. You need to visit the website (www.ecsc-expat.sy), create an account on the mentioned platform, then select the “My Information” window from the homepage and fill in the required personal data. After that, choose ‘specify the transaction (book an appointment at the embassy)’, then select the appropriate mission, then choose the type of transaction and the date.

How can I ratify documents issued from Jordan?

In addition to identity documents such as a national ID or passport, it is very important that you also take with you official records of any civil events that took place during your time in Jordan, such as births, marriages, divorces, or deaths.

If these events occurred in Jordan, you should try to obtain the relevant certificates (e.g. birth, marriage, divorce, or death certificates) officially registered with the Jordanian authorities and stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Having these documents can help you with registration and accessing services once you return to Syria.

To ratify documents issued from Jordan, follow these steps:

1. Obtain Complete Stamps: Ensure that the documents have all the necessary stamps from the issuing authority (such as the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, professional associations, hospitals, courts, etc.).
2. Visit Authentication Offices: Go to the authentication offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates to get the required authentications for the stamps mentioned in the first step.
3. Ratification at the Syrian Embassy: Finally, ratify the documents at the Syrian Embassy.

For up to date information on healthcare in Syria, please visit Syria is Home or the Government of Syria Ministry of Health Websites.

Can I return to Syria if me or someone in my family has a serious medical condition?

When planning to return to Syria, it is crucial to ensure that you and your family members are in stable health condition. Travel should be scheduled accordingly, taking into consideration the following suggestions:

• Acute or Temporary Conditions: If you or a family member has an acute or temporary condition, such as trauma or a respiratory infection, we recommend you prepare with necessary medications or assistive devices- it is always best to consult your physician and seek his/her advice about travel.
• Chronic Medical Conditions: For chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension, we recommend you carry a sufficient stock of medications to last at least 2-3 months. Make sure to request a summary of your medical report and the prescribed medication you take from your health care provide in Jordan before you travel. You will need to show these documents to a health care provider in Syria to continue the right treatment there.
• Pregnancy: If pregnant and close to your delivery date (28-40 weeks), consider rescheduling travel until after childbirth; in all cases its always best to consult your physician and seek his/her advice about travel. If you or your family member is pregnant and early in the pregnancy (<28 weeks), you should plan to bring adequate antenatal medications or supplements. It is recommended to reschedule travel for high-risk pregnancies involving complications like vaginal bleeding, severe anemia, or uncontrolled diabetes/hypertension.
• Children Under 5 Years Old: If traveling with children under 5 years old, we recommend you complete any missed routine vaccinations before departure.
• Special Medical Needs: For individuals with mental illness, disabilities, cancer, or other serious conditions, consult a healthcare provider for travel arrangements.
• Disabilities: Ensure appropriate assistive devices and/or escorts are available during travel and transit.

Prior to departure, take steps to obtain and carry your family’s medical information to facilitate ongoing healthcare needs. Specifically:

• Gather all medical records for each family member, including medical reports, investigation results, hospitalization records, and vaccination cards.
• Collect vaccination cards for school-aged children.
• For pregnant women, bring antenatal care cards and any other medical records.
• For chronically ill patients, obtain updated medical reports and treatment regimens, including a detailed diagnosis and medication list.

For up to date information on education in Syria, please visit Syria is Home, UNHCR Syria’s HelpSite, or the Government of Syria Ministry of Education Websites.

I am a Syrian university student in Jordan, will I be able to continue my university studies in Jordan?

Syrian university students enrolled in Jordan will be able to continue their education if they stay in Jordan through the existing enrollment procedures. For those students on scholarship at Jordanian universities, UNHCR has not been informed of any changes to scholarship programs and changes are not anticipated at the current time.

Is it necessary to ratify and validate education documents issued from Jordan to enroll in formal education in Syria?

The ratification and validation of education documentation issued by Jordanian authorities is required to ensure that the qualification students received are officially recognized by the country.

In Jordan, the first step is to obtain the student’s certificate of completion and transcript of the last grade level or education level they completed in Jordan. Second, you will need to ratify that certificate, based on the education level, from the following authorities in this order:

For more information, please visit the Ministry of Education website , Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, and Syrian Embassy website.

Can my family and I choose to return to Syria at different times, or can some family members stay in Jordan?

UNHCR strongly encourages families to return together, as this can support protection and reintegration. However, return is a voluntary decision made by each adult individual. UNHCR recognizes that some families may decide to return at different times based on their circumstances. In such cases, adult family members who remain in Jordan will keep their registration status with UNHCR and, if eligible, continue receiving assistance.

UNHCR will not facilitate returns that would leave children or vulnerable adults behind without appropriate care and support.

If I want to return to Syria with children, whether they are my children or my relative’s children, what documents do I require?

If you are planning on traveling with a child who is not your biological child or if you are traveling with your biological child but without the second parent, you must ensure that you have proper custody documents in place to facilitate your return. If you approach the Jaber border without the necessary documents, your departure can be cancelled.

You can obtain a document of ‘no objection’ for the children to travel with just one of the parents or with the accompanying relative. This can be obtained from the police station or Sharia court nearest to you. In addition, you should carry with you all the relevant documents for the child (including family book, birth certificates, passport/laissez-passer.)

For legal aid and advice, please contact the hotline of the Arab Renaissance for Democracy and Development (ARDD) at 0777387221 (available 24/7) or UNHCR’s Helpline (064008000)

I have relatives who are missing or were detained in Syria. Who can help me to find them?

If you are looking for a missing relative, please contact your closest Red Cross/Red Crescent office from the country you are currently living in. However, finding information about your relative can take some time.

In Jordan, please call the ICRC at 0659 019 99 or the Jordan Red Crescent at 0647 731 41. Please note that ICRC and Red Crescent services are free of charge.

I have a work permit in Jordan, what are the procedures for me If I decide to leave Jordan? 

If you have a work permit and intend to leave Jordan, there are few important points to note:

• For Cash for Work (CFW) Work permits there is no need to cancel your work permit. Please approach the SSC to close your file and withdraw your contributions through the online procedure.
• For a Flexible Work Permit: If valid, you must cancel the work permit (cancelation for the purposes of withdrawing SSC contributions) at the General Federation of Jordanian Trade Unions (GFJTU) Offices and stamped from MOL/directorate. If expired by more than 90 days, it must be reissued and cancelled and then approach the SSC to close your file and apply to withdraw your contributions through the online procedure.
• For a Work Permit tied to a specific employer: You must cancel the work permit before departure at the Ministry of Labor/Directorate together with a representative for your employer and obtain written clearance from your employer before leaving the country. Once complete, you can approach the SSC to close your file and withdraw your contributions through the online procedure.

How do I withdraw my Social Security subscription if I’m returning to Syria?

If you’ve decided to return to Syria and wish to withdraw your Social Security subscription, you must cancel your work permit as part of the process as noted in question V.6. To proceed, visit the Social Security Corporation’s E-Services page.

If you haven’t paid your Social Security subscriptions, you may not be able to withdraw your subscription when you return to Syria. It’s important to ensure that all payments are up to date before leaving. There will be no fees required by the Ministry of Labor (MOL) when you return.

To withdraw your contributions, you can apply online – if you have contributed for less than 10 years, you will receive 10% of the total contributions, and 12% for those who contributed for 11-18 years.

Currently, refugees with a flexible work permit who have a clear record (after paying all previous contributions) can withdraw their social security contributions.

How do I report complaints / feedback on the returns process?

You can report a complaint or provide feedback by calling the UNHCR helpline at 06-400-8000.