Return due to the current hostilities

If you are considering returning to Syria, contact UNHCR:

• National Call Center: 04726111 (Monday to Friday, 8AM – 5PM)
• UNHCR Online Contact Form: help.unhcr.org/Lebanon/contact-us
• Visit a Community Center (centers in your area may be temporarily closed. Before visiting, call ahead). Find a location/phone number: help.unhcr.org/lebanon/community-development-centers
• Speak to a trusted partner or community volunteers

• Expressing interest in return does not automatically mean UNHCR will facilitate your return.
• UNHCR will arrange a short counselling session or phone interview about options and risks and assess your eligibility for a return cash grant (USD 100 per returning individual)

During the counselling session, UNHCR will:

• Understand your circumstances and update information on your current residence
• Confirm your household and family composition
• Review any identity or civil documents you may have
• Identify any protection concerns you or your family may have and, if needed, refer you to services
• Provide counselling on risks and limitations of return under the current circumstances
• Explain available support, including the USD100 return cash grant
• Collect consent to share personal information with authorities for return via official crossing point
• Collect consent to share personal information with UNHCR in Syria for support inside Syria, as eligible
• Share information about services and assistance in Syria
• Under the current circumstances, Repatriation Forms will not be issued.

Syrians known to UNHCR who return during the current situation may receive support for return-related needs:

• Information and counselling about return
• Referral to protection service, if feasible
• A one-time return cash grant of 100 USD for each returning family member to help cover immediate return-related expenses, such as transportation and basic needs
• Information about services and assistance available in Syria

• Syrians known to UNHCR and affected by the conflict who decide to return to Syria may receive a one-time return cash grant of 100 USD for each returning family member.
• The grant is intended to help cover immediate expenses related to return (transport or basic needs).

To receive the grant, refugees must:

• Be known to UNHCR and active
• Contact UNHCR and complete the return interview with UNHCR staff;
• Does not have critical issues which may raise protection risks and harm during the return journey;
• Have necessary documents to redeem the return cash grant;
• Have necessary documents to safely exit Lebanon and return to Syria;
• Agree to return to Syria through official border crossing point.

The return cash grant will primarily be provided via cash over the counter at any OMT branch. To redeem:

• Receive two separate SMS: Notice SMS from UNHCR and SMS from BLOM/OMT containing Payment ID and authentication code.
• Approach any OMT bank branch and provide one of the following identification documents: Valid Syrian passport, national Syrian ID card, Laissez-Passer issued by the Syrian embassy in Beirut, or a valid UNHCR registration certificate.

If you do not have the necessary documents to collect your return cash grant:

• You are highly encouraged to contact the Syrian Embassy in Lebanon to obtain a Laissez-Passer (free, delivered in 24 hours, valid for 1 month)
• Contact UNHCR for further counselling and support

UNHCR will explain the process for redeeming the grant. You will need to redeem and leave within 7 days.

For more information on how to redeem your return grant via OMT.

🚩 UNHCR strongly advises against using unofficial crossing points as they expose you to significant risks including explosive objects, exploitation, and abuse.

🚩 If you do not have any documentation demonstrating your Syrian citizenship or ties to Syria, you are highly encouraged to contact the Syrian Embassy in Lebanon to obtain a Laissez-Passer (free, delivered in 24 hours, valid for 1 month)

🚩 Current open official crossing points: Masnaa, Qaa, Arida (pedestrian only). UNHCR cannot guarantee practices at official border crossing points.

At official border points, you must provide one of the following accepted documents for entry into Syria:

• Passport (valid or expired) for all family members; photos or copies also accepted
• National ID card; photos or copies also accepted
• Military ID (for males aged 18+)
• Individual civil extract (with or without a photo)
• Torn or damaged passport, provided essential biodata is legible
• Family booklet (accepted as an identification document for children, only if one parent is present)
• Valid Laissez-Passer issued by the Syrian Embassy in Beirut, if no of the above is available
• For children born in Lebanon, a birth notification or birth certificate (even if only issued by the Mukhtar); and if accompanied by only the mother, she should carry a copy of the father’s ID card, as Syrian authorities may assess the father’s nationality to approve entry to Syria.

Important:

• Lebanese and Syrian authorities are exercising flexibility on documentation required to cross the border. It is recommended to carry your documents at all times.
• GSO has waived overstay or exit fees when departing via official border crossing point until 30 June. The waiverapplies to all Syrians and Palestine Refugees from Syria, whether known to UNHCR or not, including if you originally entered Lebanon irregularly or exceeded your authorized length of stay.
• If you return via a UNHCR programme, UNHCR will notify GSO so the waiver can be applied.

• In regular circumstances, UNHCR and IOM arrange transportation for organized return.
• Organized returns scheduled for April are postponed due to the situation in Lebanon.
• Future movements depend on security. UNHCR will update on resumption after April.

• Information sharing: Cases are documented and shared with GSO and UNHCR Syria to facilitate your exit from Lebanon at official border crossing points and reintegration in Syria.
• Closure of case file: Any person returning to Syria with UNHCR support or who otherwise loses contact with UNHCR for a prolonged time will have their UNHCR file in Lebanon closed. Any assistance in Lebanon linked to your UNHCR file will cease. Once closed, you can pursue services and assistance in Syria instead (syriaishome.org). 
• UNHCR remains engaged to provide support and guidance for all returnees, helping ensure safe journeys, access to assistance, and reintegration support in Syria.
• If you cross back into Lebanon after your return to Syria in the current circumstances and seek assistance from UNHCR in Lebanon: You will need to submit a request to reopen your filein Lebanon based on your new situation. You would need to show there has been a significant change in your personal circumstances or conditions in Syria has created a new and heightened protection risk. Your return due to force majeure (or due to the current escalation of hostilities) will also be a considering factor in the assessment. Each request to reopen will be assessed jointly by UNHCR and GSO.
• File reopen requests must be submitted only via the Online Contact Form(help.unhcr.org/Lebanon/ contact-us), choosing “Submit file re-opening claim”.

No. However, you should contact UNHCR in Syria for any other assistance or guidance to services. Find out more at Syriaishome.org.