Return - IOM Publications - International Organization for Migration

Return Migration: Policies and Practices
The monthly amount of reintegration allowance is established by the government, and according
to figures set in 2001, provides the following benefits:
Group 1 – DKK 700 per month (e.g. Viet Nam and Pakistan);
Group 2 – DKK 1,000 per month (e.g. Rwanda and Sri Lanka);
Group 3 – DKK 1,400 per month (e.g. Turkey, Jordan, Macedonia and Morocco);
Group 4 – DKK 1,500 per month (e.g. Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iraq, Yugoslavia, Lebanon,
Afghanistan and Somalia);
Group 5 – DKK 2,700 per month (e.g. Chile and Iran).
Initiatives for Migration and Development
Aliens who return may apply for employment within a development, reintegration or reconstruction
project in their home country, if there are any. Consequently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
has an obligation to inform the Ministry of Interior and the Danish Refugee Council of all new
projects initiated by the Danish authorities in the countries of return.
Exploratory (“Go-and-see”) Visits
The Repatriation Act does not include provisions for exploratory visits to the country of origin,
however an alien planning to return to his/her home country for a limited period of time for such
a visit may, upon submission of an application to the municipality, receive social benefits during
the period spent in the home country. Municipalities must obtain advice from the Danish Refugee
Council before taking a decision on the application.
Right to Return
Refugees who have voluntarily returned to their home country may apply to return to Denmark
within a year. Upon application, the initial one-year period may be extended for another year.
Persons whose residence permits are based on family reunification with a refugee may also
apply to return to Denmark within the first year, provided, that this right is exercised along with
the main applicant.
In cases of re-entry, the municipality may in particular cases require a reimbursement of all
previously provided financial support. This is mainly applicable in cases, where it is considered
that the repatriate did not made a serious attempt of reintegration or gave incorrect information.
Framework Agreements with Countries of Origin or Transit
See section on involuntary returns.
2.3 STATISTICS ON VOLUNTARY RETURN
Between 1984 and 2001, about 3,200 refugees and immigrants chose to return voluntarily to
their countries of origin. The number of returnees significantly increased in 1996, 1997 and
1998, a trend mainly attributed to the high number of returning Bosnian refugees following the
Dayton Peace Accord. The subsequent rise in the number of returnees during 2000 and 2001
could be attributed to the new possibilities for return provided by the Repatriation Act.
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