UNHCR Self-Organized Voluntary Return Program

The Self-Organized Voluntary Return Programme is a UNHCR initiative to support Syrians known to UNHCR in Lebanon that freely and voluntarily decide to return to Syria on a permanent basis. It will be launched on 1 July 2025 and is currently planned for a three-month period, any potential extension of the programme will be communicated. Through this programme each of your returning family member receives a one-time return cash grant of 100 USD per returning individual to organize the logistics of your return through official crossing points. In addition, UNHCR provides guidance on exit procedures, essential documents to bring to Syria and recommendations on how to prepare for return to Syria.

To register your interest in the Self-Organized Voluntary Return Program:

• Call UNHCR at 04726111 (Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM), press 5 after selecting language.

Note:

• If you need support, reach out to a trusted Outreach Volunteer for help.
• Make sure you are reachable by phone after registering your intention in return with UNHCR.

All Syrians known to UNHCR in Lebanon can participate in the program provided their decision to return is well informed, voluntary and made in safety and dignity.

The decision to return should be discussed with all family members, including children. To support family unity and successful reintegration in Syria, we strongly encourage you to return with your whole family and avoid leaving children or vulnerable adults behind. However, if you are unable to return with your entire family due to personal circumstances, you can always reach out to UNHCR or mention it during your call with us so we can work together to find the best solution.

It is recommended that you and your family are in good health before traveling. If you have specific needs, here are some things to consider:

• Chronic conditions: Bring enough medication to last at least 2-3 months for conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
• Pregnancy: If you are near your due date (28-40 weeks), it is recommended that you delay your travel until after childbirth. If you travel while during the first 28 weeks of your pregnancy, bring your antenatal care report and a supply of your supplements (folic acid, etc.).
• Children under five years of age: Ensure that your child’s vaccinations are up to date before traveling. You can approach the nearest Primary Health Care Centre or UNHCR Reception Centre to check if your children are missing any Children up to 18 years of age can receive vaccinations free of charge at either location. Make sure to bring and have their vaccination booklets updated.

Before you leave, collect medical records for all family members, including:

• Medical reports, test results, medication prescriptions and hospital records
• Vaccination cards for children
• Antenatal care records for pregnant women

After you have contacted UNHCR to register your interest in a return program, UNHCR will call you back to counsel you on the return process including the steps you need to take in preparation. During this call, please disclose any medical conditions in your family. The person with the medical condition will be referred to a partner and assisted if found eligible.

After you have contacted UNHCR to register your interest, UNHCR will call you back to:

• Ask questions about your return plan, including what made you decide to return.
• Provide updated information on conditions in your intended area of return in Syria.
• Verify your family composition and assess your specific needs. Depending on your circumstances, UNHCR may refer you to partners to follow up on any specific needs in the family.
• Check if you have the required documents to receive the return cash grant.

Check your documents and advise what civil documentation you will need for reintegration in Syria. Depending on your circumstances and with your consent, UNHCR may refer you to partner organizations for legal assistance in obtaining civil documents.

For more information, please visit syrianembassy-lb.org or call the embassy at 00961-5-922585 / 00961-5-922586, Monday–Friday, 08:00–15:00.

Address and contact details of Syrian embassy in Lebanon:

Address: Damascus street, Sodeco, Beirut, Lebanon

Phone: +961-1-611110

Fax: +961-1-611111

Working hours: Sunday-Thursday, 8:30 am – 2:00 pm

Email: [email protected]

Telegram Automated Channel: https://t.me/saemBot

• Advise on safe routes for return, exit procedures, and the impact of return on your UNHCR file and data sharing with the General Security Office (GSO).

If during this call, you confirm your interest in self-organised voluntary return to Syria, you will receive an SMS inviting you for an in-person interview at a designated UNHCR Return Center. Information on the time, date and location of the interview will be specified in the SMS.

You can enroll your children in public schools in Syria at any time during the school year. To do so, you will need to provide your children’s educational transcripts from Lebanon for their academic equivalency assessment.

If these documents are unavailable, students in grade 1 to 8 must take a placement test in Syria to determine their academic level. Students without an accredited Grade 9 certificate must take the Grade 9 standard exam administered by the Syrian Ministry of Education.

Formal basic, secondary, and vocational education documents can be obtained from the school you have attended in Lebanon. They should be validated by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Syrian Embassy in Beirut. For university certificates, validation by all three entities is particularly important.

For guidance on how to obtain and certify education diplomas in Lebanon, please visit: Access to Education – UNHCR Lebanon

Informal education and training certificates cannot be validated by Lebanese official entities but could be of value upon your return to Syria. Try to obtain diplomas/certificates from the organizer/facilitator for informal studies and trainings you have attended prior to departure.

As the situation in Syria continues to evolve, stay informed on procedures.

For more information about access to education in Syria and the documents required, visit the Syria Is Home portal: Frequently Asked Questions – Syria is Home or contact a community center in Syria: unhcr.org/sy/cc

During your interview, UNHCR will confirm that all adult family members are fully informed and freely and voluntarily choosing to return to Syria. UNHCR will ask for consent to share basic personal data for return services, and provide a Repatriation Form, required for exiting Lebanon through official crossing points and redeeming a one-off return cash grant of 100$ per returning individual.

In-person interviews with UNHCR will take place at Return Centers across Lebanon, including the UNHCR Reception Centers in Beirut, Tripoli and Zahle. Additional Centers, including designated Community Development Centers (CDC) will also be announced shortly.

All adults and children, who plan to return to Syria must attend an in-person voluntary return interview with UNHCR. Although children should also be present, the interview will only be conducted with adults. The interview helps to ensure that the decision to return is informed, voluntary, and free of pressure or coercion.

Please bring the following documents to your interview:

• All available IDs (valid and expired) for each family member. This includes passports, national IDs, personal certificates, and/ or UNHCR certificates. If you or your children do not have identity documents (such as a passport, ID, or birth certificate), please approach the Syrian embassy in Beirut to apply for a Laissez-Passer (LP) prior your interview. To apply, you will need to provide a photo and any form of identity proof (even if old or photocopied). The Laissez-Passer (LP) allows you to cross into Syria legally and without delay. For more information, please contact the Syrian embassy in Beirut: https://syrianembassy-lb.org/
• Your Red Card, if you have one.
• Civil documents, including birth, marriage, death certificates, are required in Syria to access services such as education, healthcare, legal aid, and housing. This is especially important for your children who may have been born, and lived, in Lebanon for many years. Obtaining these civil documents in Lebanon will support their integration in Syria.
• Documentation relevant for your reintegration in Syria such as military booklets (if applicable), education documents, medical records, and legal documents regarding access to land or property in Syria. While these documents are not required to participate in any of the return programs, UNHCR highly recommends that you bring them. UNHCR can help you obtain missing documentation before your return.
• Travel authorization form: If only one parent is returning with the children, please ensure that the other parent comes with you to the return interview. They will need to sign a form that authorizes the children to travel with you. If the other parent cannot attend the interview with you, please inform UNHCR during the pre-assessment on the phone so that we can help you find a solution.

Please approach the Syrian embassy in Beirut prior to your interview to apply for a Laissez-Passer (LP) which is valid for one month. To apply, you will need to provide a photo and any proof of identity (even if old or photocopied). The Laissez-Passer (LP) allows you to cross into Syria legally and without delay. For more information, please contact the Syrian embassy in Beirut: https://syrianembassy-lb.org

You are strongly encouraged to obtain birth documentation for children born in Lebanon before your return to Syria.

For other civil documentation (marriage, death, divorce), you do not have to delay your return to Syria but note that you may face issues with your reintegration upon your return.

However, if you choose to return to Syria sooner or require more information, please inform UNHCR as soon as possible by calling 04726111 or writing via the Online Contact Form at help.unhcr.org/lebanon/contact-us. In this case, UNHCR will invite you to an in-person interview via SMS.

The Repatriation Form is an official document issued by UNHCR after the in-person interview. It contains key biodata and photographs of all family members planning return. Through receipt of the RF, adults:

• Confirm that they have made a free and informed decision to return to Syria, and
• Consent to the sharing of personal data with GSO and UNHCR Syria for the purpose of facilitating safe return.

The RF is recognized by the General Security Office (GSO) and must be presented at the border when exiting Lebanon. UNHCR is currently negotiating with authorities in Syria for the RF to serve as a temporary identity or travel document to be recognized by Syrian authorities once stamped. You must carry the Repatriation Form when crossing the border through official crossing point.

Participants of the program will receive a one-time, unconditional return cash grant of 100 USD per returning family member.

This support is meant to help you meet your immediate return-related needs — for example, transportation, accommodation or basic expenses. You are free to use it as you see fit.

The grant will be provided through cash over the counter and you can redeem it at any OMT outlet countrywide, locations of OMT can be found here: https://www.omt.com.lb/en/contact/network.

 A second option is for the grant to be loaded on to your Red Card (if you have one), and to be redeemed at finance agents, locations of redemption points are found here: https://redeem.unhcr-lb.org

The redemption modality will be communicated in the SMS received from UNHCR.

You will be notified via SMS when your return cash grant is available, please do not approach before receiving an SMS from UNHCR and an SMS from BLOM/OMT with a transaction code and a one-time password.

The primary applicant of the RF will need to approach OMT with the Repatriation Form (RF) to redeem the return cash grant within a week.

Learn more about how to redeem the return cash grant here. 

After redeeming the return cash grant, it is expected by GSO that you depart to Syria within one week. While we understand that individual situations may vary, we encourage you to finalize your travel arrangements to return to Syria as soon as possible after receiving the grant to avoid delays.

Your UNHCR file in Lebanon will be closed once you redeem the return cash grant.

At the designated official crossing points, GSO will stamp your Repatriation Form upon exit and confirm to UNHCR that you have left Lebanon.

UNHCR Lebanon will also inform UNHCR Syria of your departure from Lebanon to facilitate your access to services inside Syria.

You can change your mind at any point before you are issued a Repatriation Form (RF). Please inform UNHCR if you do not wish to return anymore. Once the RF is issued, the return cash grant will be automatically prepared.  Your case with UNHCR will be closed once you are issued a Repatriation Form.

To ensure a smooth and safe return, you must exit Lebanon through an official border crossing point. UNHCR will share your departure details with GSO who will ensure that you can benefit from the waiver on administrative fees (including exit and overstay fees) and stamp your Repatriation Form (RF). While you must organize your own transportation to Syria, departing through an official border crossing point ensures that your exit is officially processed and that you can fully benefit from the program.

According to current practices, Syrians can cross the border using any of the following documents:

• A passport (even if expired)
• A national Syrian ID
• An individual civil extract (even if old). Please note that a family booklet alone is not sufficient.
• A laissez-passer issued by the Syrian Embassy. According to a statement issued on 8 January 2025, the Syrian Embassy issues a laissez-passer free of charge for any Syrian who proves they lost their passport or national ID. A laissez-passer can also be issued to Syrian children born in Lebanon, whose birth is registered at the Lebanese Personal Status Department and with the Syrian Embassy.

For more information on procedures related to return, you may also contact the Syrian embassy in Beirut.

Contact details:

Syrian Embassy in Lebanon
Address: Damascus Street, Sodeco, Beirut, Lebanon

Phone: +961 1 611 110
Fax: +961 1 611 111
Working Hours: Sunday–Thursday, 8:30 AM–2:00 PM
Email: [email protected]

UNHCR strongly advises against using unofficial crossing points as they expose individuals to significant risks including explosive objects, exploitation and abuse. In addition, return through unofficial crossing points will not be recognized by authorities, or under the UNHCR self-organised voluntary return program. This means you will not be eligible for program benefits and your access to services inside Syria may be impacted if you use unofficial crossing points.

UNHCR has worked closely with the Government of Lebanon to ensure that administrative and financial barriers are waived for you to safely return through official crossing points. Participation in the self-organized voluntary return program includes signing a declaration of understanding stating that you will exit Lebanon through official crossing points only.

No. You do not have to pay overstay or exit fees when departing through an official border crossing point. GSO has waived administrative fees, including overstay and exit fees, for individuals participating in the programmes.

The Government of Lebanon has shared a circular regarding the provision of additional facilitation measures for Syrians and Palestinian refugees from Syria wishing to depart through land border crossing points.

If you entered Lebanon legally or illegally and have exceeded your authorized length of stay, you may depart through land border crossing points without paying any fees or penalties, and without re-entry bans being issued against you. This facilitation is effective from 1 July 2025 to 30 September 2025.

The waiver on administrative fees applies to all Syrians and Palestine Refugees from Syria (PRS) whether known to UNHCR or not. UNHCR will still notify GSO of your return so that the waiver can be applied, and your departure will be properly documented.

Once you return to Syria and your UNHCR case is closed, your legal status in Lebanon may change depending on your previous residency status. Please note that re-entry bans are no longer applied to those returning under this program within a period of 3 months from 1^st July to 30 September 2025.

• If you had valid residency (e.g., sponsor, work permit, student visa, or courtesy residency): Your residency typically remains valid after departure, and you may be able to return to Lebanon within the validity period.
• If your residency was based on a UNHCR certificate or temporary permit: Your residency will be cancelled upon departure, and your UNHCR file will be closed. If you choose to return to Lebanon in the future, you will need to meet the regular entry requirements.
• If you did not have valid residency: Your file will be closed, but you will not be subject to a re-entry ban.

UNHCR shares basic information (not your full file) with GSO for coordination purposes only. You are encouraged to discuss any questions during your counselling session or call UNHCR at 04726111 for clarification.

Once you and your family members have confirmed your interest in returning to Syria through UNHCR’s self-organized voluntary return program, UNHCR will share your personal information with the GSO so they are informed of your participation in the program and, if needed, can issue you a waiver on exit and overstay fees, facilitate and confirm your timely, safe and dignified exit through official crossing points.

UNHCR will share the following personal data with GSO:

• UNHCR Case number
• UNHCR Individual number
• UNHCR Repatriation (RF) number
• First name (Arabic)
• Family name (Arabic)
• Fathers name (Arabic)
• Mothers name
• Date of birth
• Date of RF issuance
• Date of intended or organized return
• Intended official crossing point for return
• Intended area of return in Syria

Once you return to Syria, your file with UNHCR in Lebanon will be closed and you will considered a returnee, instead of a refugee by UNHCR.

We strongly encourage you to ask questions during your counselling call with UNHCR. You can also contact UNHCR at 04726111 for further clarification on how return may affect your legal status and residency in Lebanon.

Once you arrive in Syria, you will have access to a range of support services provided by UNHCR and its partners through Community Centres and other facilities in your area of return. These services will be offered based on need and availability and tailored to assist individuals according to their specific circumstances. While conditions vary across different areas, support is available to help you reintegrate.

Key services and assistance include:

• Legal assistance: UNHCR and its partners offer free legal services to help individuals navigate challenges related to asylum, documentation, and other legal matters.
• Basic assistance: Returning Syrian families may be eligible for a one-time reintegration cash grant of USD 400 per family, provided by UNHCR in Syria. This grant is intended to support your reintegration in Syria.
• Healthcare: Where available, access to healthcare services addresses basic medical needs, particularly for vulnerable groups.
• Education and child protection: Services for children, including access to education and child protection are available based on local resources.
• Shelter and non-food items: Shelter support and essential non-food items is prioritized based on urgency and specific needs.
• Psychosocial support: Specialized programmes, including mental health and psychosocial support, is available to help individuals cope with trauma and other challenges.
• Family tracing: If you have been separated from your family, UNHCR, in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and local partners, provides family tracing services to help reunite families. These services are free and are aimed at reconnecting individuals with lost or missing family members.
• There are 91 Community Centers and 27 Satellite Centers across Syria, where you can find services closest to your location.

For more information on services in Syria visit UNHCR’s Syria is Home website.

If you have a resettlement case and voluntarily decide to return to Syria on a permanent basis, the resettlement country will be informed about your return to Syria and your resettlement file will be closed. It is resettlement countries who decide.

UNHCR is aware that some countries have suspended the processing of Syrian asylum claims but does not yet know if this suspension will extend to resettlement cases.

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

Community-organized return initiatives are outside of UNHCR’s Self-Organized Return Programme. However, if you are planning to return to Syria through a community-organized effort, you are still encouraged to contact UNHCR to receive:

• Individual counselling and support including information on available services and potential cash assistance upon arrival in Syria, if eligible.

For support, call UNHCR at 04726111 (Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, press 5 after selecting language).  A UNHCR staff member will call you back to answer your questions and discuss your needs.