The decision to return to Syria is a deeply personal one, and it should always be fully informed, voluntary and take place in conditions of safety and dignity.
While the recent developments in Syria present an opportunity for Syria to move forward and for Syrian refugees and internally displaced people to think about returning home, it is too early for UNHCR to advise about the situation in areas of intended returns, as it is expected to continue to change.
UNHCR and partners are monitoring the situation inside Syria closely. At the current time, we cannot provide confirmed or accurate information about the current security situation inside Syria.
It is not up to UNHCR or anyone else to make the decision to return on behalf of refugees. Refugees are best placed to make that decision based on their individual circumstances, family situation, and conditions in their home country. UNHCR continues to call on host countries to permit short-term visits by Syrian refugees to their place of origin without impact to their legal status, and to refrain from forcible returns to Syria
UNHCR believes it is important for refugees to be able to assess conditions firsthand in their area of intended return, such as through short ‘go-and-see’ visits.
Important notes:
- UNHCR is not currently facilitating any visits to Syria. However, UNHCR believes it is important for refugees to be able to assess conditions in their area of intended return, such as through short ‘go-and-see’ UNHCR will continue to advocate for this possibility with concerned States.
- UNHCR cannot guarantee the practices at border crossing points
- UNHCR cannot guarantee that anyone departing their country of asylum to conduct a short visit to Syria can re-enter again.
What is the situation inside Syria?
UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria and is committed to staying and delivering. The volatile security situation in the past weeks has forced suspension of some of UNHCR’s services, but in areas where security has stabilized, UNHCR has resumed activities to reach those most in need. For further information about the situation in Syria and services available please visit: https://syriaishome.org/en/
Is financial or travel support available for refugees returning to Syria?
Financial or travel support for refugees returning to Syria is currently not available.
Can my protection status in Romania be terminated due to the changes in the situation in Syria?
The General Inspectorate for Immigration may carry out a new assessment of your case to determine whether the need for international protection still persists. This assessment considers your personal circumstances, includes detailed information about the conditions in your country of origin, and may involve an additional interview.
Will the current situation in Syria impact my family reunification application/right to seek family reunification in Romania)?
As long as your individual protection status is maintained, your right to seek family reunification remains valid.
However, if your protection status is reviewed and subsequently revoked based on a reassessment by the General Inspectorate for Immigration, this will also affect your right to apply for family reunification. It is also likely to affect the situation of family members who were granted protection on the basis of your initial status. In such cases, their status may also be subject to review.
What assistance can I get from UNHCR if my refugee status is revoked?
If your status as a refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection is revoked, UNHCR may assist you by providing legal counselling or referring you to legal partners who can help you understand your rights and available options, including the presentation of an appeal against the decision. While UNHCR does not have the authority to reverse decisions made by the General Inspectorate for Immigration, it can help ensure that your case is assessed in line with international standards and any asylum-seeker has the right to seek UNHCR’s assistance. You are encouraged to seek legal advice as early as possible if you are notified of a potential revocation.
Can Syrian nationals still apply for international protection in Romania?
Yes, Syrian nationals can still apply for international protection in Romania. However, please note that while applications are being received, decisions on these applications are currently suspended by the General Inspectorate for Immigration. During this time, you may still receive information, legal counselling, and support to help you understand the process and your rights while your application is pending. We encourage you to visit the webpage of the Romanian General Inspectorate for Immigration (GII) for the most up to date information: https://igi.mai.gov.ro/en/.
Can I return to Syria overland via Türkiye?
Voluntary return procedures between Türkiye and Syria are only available to Syrians who hold temporary protection status in Türkiye.
If you are a Syrian national and a recipient of temporary protection in Türkiye, you can undertake voluntary return procedure at border crossing points. However, UNHCR cannot guarantee practices at each border point. For more information on traveling to Syria from Türkiye please visit: https://help.unhcr.org/turkiye/volrep/movement-procedures/
Syrians from third countries (including dual nationals and holders of refugee status in a third country) cannot undergo voluntary return procedures at border points between Türkiye and Syria. Persons falling under these categories can travel to Syria via commercial air travel (traveling on flights transiting though Turkey is permitted).
What travel documents do I need should I decide to return to Syria?
Syrians returning to the country need to present valid identification documents, such as a Syrian national passport or identity card, for entry into Syria.
For those without passports or identify cards but with recorded events in the Syrian civil registries (such as birth, marriage, death, etc.), immigration officials at the borders have indicated that entry will still be permitted following a verification of identity. However, there are no official details available on the verification process itself.
Syrian diplomatic missions abroad are also authorized to issue temporary travel documents for Syrian nationals without identity documents seeking to return to Syria.
If you wish to return to Syria but lack certain documents or have further questions related to documentation, you should contact your local UNHCR office to seek further assistance and guidance.
To contact UNHCR Romania, you can call UNHCR hotline at 0723653651 or send an email to [email protected].
Will be Syrian ID documents and passport issued by the former government be valid on my return to Syria?
Yes. There have not been any changes to the officially issued passports or identity cards.
I wish to return to Syria but lack important documents, what should I do?
Syrian diplomatic missions abroad are authorized to issue temporary travel documents for Syrian nationals without identity documents seeking to return to Syria. You can contact the Embassy of the Syrian Arab Republic in Bucharest at 021 319 2467.
You can also contact your local UNHCR office contact in case you have any further questions related to documentation. To contact UNHCR Romania, you can call UNHCR hotline at 0723653651 or send an email to [email protected]
For more information please visit: https://syriaishome.org/en/faq/.
What other civil documents do I need should return to Syria?
UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria. 100 UNHCR supported community centers are operating across the country. These centers offer a range of services, including but not limited to mental health and psychosocial support, medical support, child friendly spaces, education assistance and more.
The centers also provide legal counselling and guidance on obtaining civil documentation, such as birth certificates, marriage registrations, and ID cards.
For more information on support services available inside Syria please visit https://syriaishome.org/en/faq/ and UNHCR Syria HELP Page.
Is UNHCR providing support and services inside Syria?
UNHCR remains on the ground in Syria. 100 UNHCR supported community centers are operating across the country. These centers offer a range of services, including but not limited to mental health and psychosocial support, medical support, child friendly spaces, education assistance and more.
The centers also provide legal counselling and guidance on obtaining civil documentation, such as birth certificates, marriage registrations, and ID cards.
For more information on support services available inside Syria please visit https://syriaishome.org/en/faq/ and UNHCR Syria HELP Page.
Can I enroll my children in public school in Syria?
Yes. You can enroll your children in public schools in Syria at any time during the school year. You may be asked to provide your children’s educational transcripts from Romania for their academic equivalency assessment. Please make sure to take these with you.
If these documents are unavailable, students in grades 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 tertiary and vocational education documents can be obtained from the school you have attended in Romania.
In order to be able to use them in Syria, they must undergo an official certification procedure. The certification procedure, carried out by the Ministry of Education, involves verifying and confirming the authenticity and legal validity of the diploma or certificate, as well as the content and signatures on the document.
Information about the certification procedure for education documents for each level, is available on the website of the National Center for the Recognition and Equivalence of Diplomas which can be accessed through this link.
After certification by the Ministry of Education, the documents must then be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) for legalization, which ensures their acceptance for use in countries that are not parties to the Hague Apostille Convention such as Syria.
Additionally, an authorized translation of the documents may be required, and the translation may also need to be notarized, depending on the rules in Syria. It is advisable to check the specific procedures and document requirements with the Embassy or Consulate of Syria.
Informal education and training certificates may also be useful when returning to Syria. While it may not be possible to have these documents officially certified in Romania, 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 school enrollment, contact a community center in Syria: unhcr.org/sy/cc
I have family members or friends missing in Syria, can I get help to find them or help for them?
If you lost contact with a family member due to conflict, migration , or disaster, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC),provides family tracing services to help families reconnect with missing loved ones.
Family tracing is not a guarantee that a lost family member will be found, and tracing can sometimes take months or years.
However, ICRC will collect information that may help clarify the fate and whereabouts of missing family. When tracing is successful, ICRC will inform families of the whereabouts of their loved ones and, when possible, help to reunite those families.
To start the process of family tracing, you can contact the following helplines:
- Former detainees who need support to communicate with and be reunited with their families can call: 0953555431.
- Families searching for their loved ones, including former detainees can call: 0936033628.
Families can also contact ICRC offices in Damascus and Rural Damascus, Aleppo or Homs directly with the usual Protection of Family Links phone number:
- Damascus: Mob: 093 600 112 / Tel: 011 338 060 00
- Aleppo: Mob: 093 003 8337 / Tel: 02 122 147 00
- Homs: Mob: 093 603 3624 / Tel: 03 122 333 22
The helplines are working from Sunday to Thursday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on official holidays.