Vulnerable Migrants

IOM provides a comprehensive return option to meet the needs of vulnerable migrants, which is organized in a humane, safe and dignified way. The migrant will receive support before, during and after their travels and the financial support received will be tailored to the individual's specific needs.

Migrants who can apply for support are

• Victims of trafficking (both adults and children)
• Unaccompanied migrant children (children who came to Norway before they were 18 without parents or a legal guardian)
• Aged-out minors (those who came to Norway as a child and are now between 18-23 years old)
• Migrants with medical needs (with medical conditions in need of follow-up upon return)
• Other vulnerable migrants (some examples could be for instance victims of violence, exploitation and abuse, victims of domestic violence, victims of forced marriage and elderly migrants without family network in the country of origin, etc.)

What we offer

• Information about voluntary assisted return and conditions in the home country.
• Counselling and assessment of reintegration needs.
• Family tracing for unaccompanied children.
• Risk assessment for victims of trafficking.
• Assistance with travel documents if needed.
• Free travel from Norway to the home country (with escort if needed).
• Reintegration counselling and support from IOM in the home country after return.
• Monitoring during and after the reintegration assistance period. Monitoring is conducted 3 and 12 months after return by the local IOM office in coordination with IOM Norway.

Reintegration support for vulnerable migrants

Vulnerable migrants receive reintegration support to the value of NOK 42,000. This is administered by IOM in the home country. The financial assistance covers basic needs upon return and aims to assist long-term economic self-sufficiency.

The reintegration support is normally divided into the components below. However, due to the different needs of vulnerable migrants, there is some flexibility with how the support is spent. Some migrants decide to spend more money on medical needs, others use more of the support for education.

1. Subsistence Allowance (cash or in-kind)
   The cash support is given as a one-time cash grant or in smaller instalments over a period of time. Unaccompanied children will not receive cash. This will be provided either to their legal guardian or as in-kind support. The subsistence allowance can be used on items such as food, clothing, and replacement of lost identity documents or other immediate needs.

   The remaining funds are given as in-kind support. This support is administered by IOM in the home country who will pay for goods or services rendered directly to service providers upon provision of valid documentation. These funds are available for 1 year after return and can be spent on the following:
    

2. Accommodation
   The accommodation support can cover payment of rent, purchase of material for renovation of housing, necessary furniture, utility bills or other accommodation needs.
    
3. Medical support
   This support includes the purchase of medicines, specialized medical treatments, psychological counselling, dental treatment or physiotherapy.
    
4. Education/vocational training/business start-up/investment support​
   • Educational grant: Covers school and course fees, purchase of material and books for educational purposes.
   • Vocational training grant: Enrolment fees and necessary material.
   • Start-up of business activity: Renting shop or business premises, business registration fee, purchase of equipment/goods. Counselling on business opportunities is also possible.

The advantages of travelling with IOM

• The services provided by IOM are free of charge.
• You will not be in debt to the Norwegian government for your travel.
• Confirmed travel dates make it easier to plan and prepare your return, and to inform friends and relatives in advance.
• You travel as an ordinary passenger.
• Your travel is arranged to the final destination.
• IOM will not inform local authorities about your arrival.
• IOM’s assistance at departure, in transit and upon arrival.