Voluntary Support for Foreigners Facing Obligation to Return?

After a decision obligating the individual to return has been issued, it is expected that the foreigner will fulfill it voluntarily and leave Poland/other states of the Schengen area within the specified period. However, many foreigners come to Poland for work and often do not have enough financial resources to purchase a ticket back to their home country for their livelihood.

In such cases, aliens have the opportunity to utilize one of the programs aimed at assisting foreigners in their voluntary return home.

Assistance provided to beneficiaries under voluntary return and reintegration includes, but is not limited to:

– personalized guidance on voluntary return, including information on legal status in Poland, voluntary return and reintegration programs, and situation in the home country.
– accommodation and meals prior to travel if necessary.
– purchase of tickets to the home country using the most convenient public transportation.
– transportation organization to the railway station or airport if necessary.
– actions taken consider the situation and needs of individuals requiring special treatment.

An alien may apply for assistance in voluntary return to the Commander-in-chief of the Border Guard through:
– The commander of a Border Guard unit or a Border Guard post (link is avaliable at my website in a subpaga “Foreigners” button “Useful links”).
– The Head of the Office for Foreigners if the alien is receiving social assistance and medical care (procedure related to international protection).
– The International Organization for Migration (IOM) by filling out the application form online or in person at the IOM office.

After submitting the application for voluntary return assistance, the Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard will consider it within five days and issue a decision to grant or deny assistance.

For all foreigners voluntarily returning, for whom the  Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard has issued a decision to provide assistance in voluntary return, reintegration assistance may be provided.

Reintegration assistance envisages support in the form of material and financial assistance.

Reintegration assistance is individual support provided to foreigners returning to their country of origin.
The aim of reintegration assistance is to contribute permanently and effectively to the improvement of the foreigner’s situation upon return to their country of origin.
A detailed reintegration plan is tailored to the individual situation and needs of the foreigner.

Both short-term and long-term assistance is provided in the countries of origin of the foreigners through partners in reintegration.

The short-term reintegration package is immediate assistance upon arrival, discussed and agreed upon between the reintegration partner/local reintegration partner and the returnee.

The package amounts to 615 EURO and includes:

• cash assistance (the member state decides what portion of the assistance can be provided in cash and what in kind);
• pickup from the airport;
•  further transportation;
• medical assistance upon arrival;
• family reunification in the case of unaccompanied minors.

The long-term reintegration package (up to 12 months) includes:

• provision of cash/in-kind assistance in the amount of: for the main applicant for voluntary return 2000 EURO, for the main applicant for forced return 1000 EURO, for each additional family member (in case the application concerns a family) 1000 EURO;
• housing costs, such as rent, basic furniture, and renovation costs, etc.;
• medical assistance;
• education/schooling costs;
• vocational training;
• career counseling and assistance in accessing the job market;
• legal advice;
• psychological support;
• assistance in establishing a small business;
• family reunification.

I would like to remind You that if You need legal advice in Polish immigration law, You can count on my knowledge and experience, so far as I am Your lawyer in Poland.