Returning to Syria

If you are thinking of returning to Syria from abroad, here you’ll find reliable information and organizations that may be able to help you and your family re-establish your home.

Is it safe to return to Syria?

Returning home is a personal decision that should be fully informed, voluntary and take place in conditions of safety and dignity. It is a choice only you and your family can make.

  • UNHCR continues to call on countries and local authorities to allow those who fled to access their place of origin/residence, and to refrain from returning anyone against their wishes. 
  • UNHCR stands ready to support as conditions allow. 
  • Every refugee has the right to return home voluntarily, in safety and dignity.  

To help you make informed decisions about returning to Syria, UNHCR created Syria is Home, where you can find information on legal steps, documents, housing, healthcare, and education.

Syria is Home website

Who can help me return to Syria from Latvia?

Latvia does not have support programs for returning to Syria. However, UNHCR in Latvia works with partner organizations which offer consultation services that may be relevant to you if you choose to return to Syria.

NGO Gribu palīdzēt bēgļiem (I Want to Help Refugees)

NGO “Shelter “Safe House””

NGO Latvian Centre for Human Rights

If you are outside of Syria and not in Latvia, please contact our offices in the country you are in:

Select the country you are in to find out how to contact us >

Attention! All UNHCR services are FREE!

What will happen to my legal status in Latvia if I return to Syria?

If you do not plan to return to Latvia, then you may apply for termination of your refugee or alternative status in Latvia. Even though you may reapply after its termination, it is advised to apply for termination only if you are confident about your permanent return to Syria. In Latvia, you can terminate your status in any branch of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, as well as in Unified State and Municipal Customer Service Centres. For more information, please visit the website of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA).

Can I get legal assistance?

If you have a residence permit in Latvia, you may be eligible for free legal aid provided by the State. For more information about the requirements needed to request free legal aid and how to request it, please visit the website of the Latvian authorities. Legal consultations for third-country nationals are also provided by One Stop Agencies under the Society Integration Foundation.

You can also contact our partners, the NGO “Shelter “Safe House”” and the Latvian Centre for Human Rights, who may be able to provide legal counselling in your case.

NGO “Shelter “Safe House””

    • Phone: (+371) 28612120

NGO Latvian Centre for Human Rights

    • Phone: (+371) 67039290

Will the current situation in Syria impact my family reunification process in Latvia?

Currently, a person, who has acquired refugee status, shall be entitled to reunification with their family members residing abroad, meanwhile a person, who has acquired alternative status, shall have such rights only after residing in Latvia for at least two years.  The family members of a refugee shall be entitled to receive a permanent residence permit, while the family members of a person, who has acquired alternative status, shall be entitled to receive a temporary residence permit for the same period as the residence permit that has been issued to the person, who has acquired alternative status. To initiate a family reunification procedure, a refugee or a person, who acquired alternative status, must apply to any territorial unit of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs and draw up a sponsorship application for the receipt of residence permit, meanwhile the relatives living abroad must apply to the diplomatic or consular representative office of the Republic of Latvia and submit the documents for the request of a residence permit. Considering that rules could be frequently changed or amended, please always consult the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) before applying family reunification process.

We also advise you to contact UNHCR’s partner, the Latvian Centre for Human Rights, which may be able to provide legal counselling in your family reunification case.

NGO Latvian Centre for Human Rights

    • Phone: (+371) 67039290

Can UNHCR help me with transport to Syria?

UNHCR does not provide help with transport to Syria. Presently, other UN Agencies and NGOs also do not provide help with transport to Syria.

Is there shelter and temporary housing available to those that choose to return to Syria?

You can check out UNHCR’s Syria is Home page for information about housing and shelter in Syria here: Housing and shelter, land and property.

Can I come back to Latvia if I go visit Syria?

You should have a valid refugee travel document, which is a personal identification document, and it entitles its holder to reside in the territory of Latvia, cross the border of Latvia and return to the territory of Latvia. Before going abroad, holders of the refugee’s travel document must learn about the immigration rules applying to holders of such documents of the visiting country. The refugee’s travel document is issued by the Refugee Affairs Department of the OCMA after granting refugee status to a person. Considering the fluent situation in Syria, please always consult the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (OCMA) before your travel.

Latvia does not have a diplomatic or consular representation in the Syrian Arab Republic. For more information on entry regulations in Syria, please contact the Embassy of Syria in Belarus accredited to Latvia by phone (+375) 173583708, or by email: [email protected]. This is the Embassy’s Facebook account address.