Depending on the context and on the specificities of each case, different types of durable solutions can be sought for migrants assisted under MRRMs, such as Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR),  sustainable local integration in the transit or host country and sustainable settlement elsewhere. Beneficiaries should be involved in the decision to pursue their preferred option and receive all available information on the opportunities and limitations of each one.

AVRR programmes provide administrative, logistical and financial support to migrants unable or unwilling to remain in a country of transit or destination who wish to return to their country of origin. Beneficiaries may include stranded migrants in host or transit countries, irregular migrants, regular migrants, and asylum seekers who decide not to pursue their claims or who are found not to be in need of international protection. AVRR assistance can also be provided to migrants in vulnerable situations, such as victims of trafficking, unaccompanied and separated children, or migrants with health-related needs. In the context of transit migration, AVRR has proven to be an effective tool to assist migrants in distress, or who lack the means to continue their journey, be them in a regular or in an irregular situation. Voluntary return and reintegration must be addressed in a holistic way in order to respond to the needs of both the individuals and the communities. In IOM’s view, it shall adhere to six key principles:

• Voluntariness: beneficiaries shall have access to of timely, unbiased and reliable information to make an informed decision and take ownership of the return process;
• Migrant-centered response: the support to each beneficiary shall be tailored to their needs in an age, gender and diversity sensitive manner. A flexible approach is required to provide individual reintegration and return assistance adapted to the returnee’s needs, problems and preferences, as well as to the different return contexts.
• Safety considerations may lead to the limitation or the suspension of returns to certain location because of security or operational challenges. Ensuring that migrants reach their countries of origin in a safe and dignified manner implies a number of administrative and logistic arrangements, including travel assistance and assistance upon arrival;
• Sustainability of reintegration: at the core of the AVRR approach, reintegration can be considered sustainable only when beneficiaries have reached levels of economic self-sufficiency, social stability and psychological wellbeing. Achieving sustainability therefore requires the adoption of an integrated approach that addresses the needs of individual returnees as well as the communities while responding to the structural factors at play in the country of return.

• Confidentiality: strict safeguards to preserve confidentiality or personal data and privacy of individuals shall be in place (for further guidance on IOM data protection provisions, please consult this entry.

• Dialogue and partnership: sustainable return and reintegration is beyond the scope of one actor’s engagement. Cooperation among a variety of actors is required to build synergies among different interventions in the areas of humanitarian assistance, community stabilization, migration management and development cooperation in order to enhance the range and quality of return assistance, avoid duplications and ensure sustainability of reintegration.
• Evidence-based programming: systematic data collection, feedback mechanisms and monitoring and evaluation shall be in place to assess the impact of AVRR interventions.

Additional guidance on AVRR can be consulted through the IOM Return and Reintegration Platform, which aims at disseminating knowledge and good practices in the field of migrant return and reintegration.

In host countries, integration support programmes could be organized in the framework of MRRM programming for various categories of newcomers, including migrant workers, family migrants and resettled refugees. Such programmes may include concrete training and employment opportunities, language courses, social cohesion activities, and the establishment of partnerships with the private sector. Furthermore, beneficiaries who have the option to remain in their current location may require help to regularise their immigration status and other administrative issues such as identity documents, banking procedures, professional, educational and language certificates, among others. In this case, legal aid and representation to carry out relevant procedures shall be offered.

Sustainable solutions in a third country entail securing permission for temporary or permanent immigration from a State other than the one where the beneficiary is present. Possible options include relocation or resettlement to a third country, international family reunification or family sponsorship, temporary or permanent work permits, student or study visas, temporary or permanent protection visas or residency, and humanitarian or compassionate immigration admissions. Also, in this case, beneficiaries may need support required to submit applications and compile supporting documentation, as well as pre-departure and post-arrival assistance.