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- | Leaving Sweden
- | For those who have sought asylum
- | Returning voluntarily
Returning voluntarily
Returning voluntarily means that you have chosen to return on your own initiative or that you at least accept the decision that you are not permitted to remain in Sweden and are prepared to comply with this and actively participate in making it possible for you to return. Should you choose to return voluntarily, you may, in certain cases, qualify to apply for various types of support and aid in resettlement once you have returned.
Depending on which country you are returning to, you may have the opportunity to
You may withdraw your application for asylum before it has been processed and then return home voluntarily. You may receive help preparing for your return journey if you contact your case officer at the reception unit where you are registered.
If you have received a decision on refusal of entry or deportation which has entered into force in accordance with the law (legally binding decision) you are required to leave Sweden. You are expected to abide by the decision and, preferably, to try to organise your return journey yourself by ensuring that you have valid ID and travel documents. If you need help in preparing for and organising your travel, you may contact your reception unit.
You must decide for yourself whether you wish to leave Sweden with the help of the Migration Board (voluntary return) or if your return journey will require the intervention of the police (compelled return). Only if you elect to return voluntarily will you be entitled to apply for reestablishment support and certain other support initiatives prior to your return journey and when you reach your country of origin.
Once your decision on refusal of entry or deportation has come into force (legally binding decision), you will be called to a meeting with a case officer to discuss your return. During this meeting, you will be given information on the various different alternatives available in your case and you may also ask any questions you have.
If you have been refused entry, the Aliens Act stipulates that you must leave the country within two weeks unless otherwise stated in the decision.
If it is proved that, for example, you have already sought asylum in another country within the European Union or have been granted a visa for a visit by another EU Member State, it is this country which must examine your application for asylum. This has been agreed upon by the Member States of the EU and formalised in the Dublin Regulation. A decision in accordance with the Dublin Regulation means that you will be transferred to another EU Member State which will examine your application for asylum. If you would rather return to your country of origin, it may be OK if it does not mean that your case is delayed.
The main rule is that you should return to the country stated in the decision on refusal of entry or deportation. This is usually the country where you are a citizen.
It is your responsibility to procure travel documents so that you can return within the valid time period.
The Migration Board can help to organise travel documents and may consequently — within the scope permitted by Swedish data protection legislation — release certain information on your personal circumstances to the authorities of the country in question. However, it will never release the information that you have applied for asylum or the reasons you cited when doing so.
It is preferable that you bear the costs of your return journey. If you do not have sufficient funds, the Migration Board will book and pay for the ticket.
- Contact organisations in Sweden which can provide you with information about the situation in your country of origin and support prior to your return
- Apply for a reestablishment grant
- Contact organisations in your country of origin which can offer support when you return.
An asylum application can be withdrawn
You may withdraw your application for asylum before it has been processed and then return home voluntarily. You may receive help preparing for your return journey if you contact your case officer at the reception unit where you are registered.
Returning voluntarily or by compulsion
If you have received a decision on refusal of entry or deportation which has entered into force in accordance with the law (legally binding decision) you are required to leave Sweden. You are expected to abide by the decision and, preferably, to try to organise your return journey yourself by ensuring that you have valid ID and travel documents. If you need help in preparing for and organising your travel, you may contact your reception unit.
You must decide for yourself whether you wish to leave Sweden with the help of the Migration Board (voluntary return) or if your return journey will require the intervention of the police (compelled return). Only if you elect to return voluntarily will you be entitled to apply for reestablishment support and certain other support initiatives prior to your return journey and when you reach your country of origin.
Planning prior to return
Once your decision on refusal of entry or deportation has come into force (legally binding decision), you will be called to a meeting with a case officer to discuss your return. During this meeting, you will be given information on the various different alternatives available in your case and you may also ask any questions you have.
If you are unable to arrange your journey yourself, together we will draw up a plan detailing what you will do and what the Migration Board will do. For example, you may contact your embassy in order to procure a passport while the Migration Board can make the transit arrangements if you have to change planes on your return journey and need help to ensure that you do not get stuck at an airport in another country.
Returning within two or four weeks
If you have been refused entry, the Aliens Act stipulates that you must leave the country within two weeks unless otherwise stated in the decision.
If you are to be deported, you must leave the country within four weeks. If you do not leave the country within this period, the Migration Board may hand your case over to the police.
Returning to a country other than your country of origin
Another country within the European Union
If it is proved that, for example, you have already sought asylum in another country within the European Union or have been granted a visa for a visit by another EU Member State, it is this country which must examine your application for asylum. This has been agreed upon by the Member States of the EU and formalised in the Dublin Regulation. A decision in accordance with the Dublin Regulation means that you will be transferred to another EU Member State which will examine your application for asylum. If you would rather return to your country of origin, it may be OK if it does not mean that your case is delayed.
A country other than that specified in the decision
The main rule is that you should return to the country stated in the decision on refusal of entry or deportation. This is usually the country where you are a citizen.
However, you may also return to a country other than the one specified in the decision if you can show that you will be accepted there. If this is the case, you should have a valid passport and a residence permit for this country. It must not mean that your return is delayed.
You are responsible for your travel documents
It is your responsibility to procure travel documents so that you can return within the valid time period.
The Migration Board can help to organise travel documents and may consequently — within the scope permitted by Swedish data protection legislation — release certain information on your personal circumstances to the authorities of the country in question. However, it will never release the information that you have applied for asylum or the reasons you cited when doing so.
Ticket for travel
It is preferable that you bear the costs of your return journey. If you do not have sufficient funds, the Migration Board will book and pay for the ticket.
Sidan senast uppdaterad: 2009-11-27
Migrationsverket
