An order published in France’s Journal Officiel on 4 December quietly increases the financial incentives offered to certain irregular migrants who accept voluntary return. The arrêté of 27 November 2025, now in force, triples the maximum lump-sum "allocation forfaitaire" to €2,200 – or €3,500 where a higher rate applies – for adults belonging to the nationalities most represented among migrants who reach the UK after an illegal Channel crossing but are later ordered to leave French territory.
Administered by the Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII), the voluntary-return scheme normally provides staged support covering travel costs, a basic cash allowance and, in some cases, reintegration assistance. By boosting the cash component for this specific cohort, the interior ministry hopes to make the offer more attractive than continued irregular transit attempts and thereby ease pressure on northern-France border regions.
![France raises voluntary-return cash for Channel-crossing migrants in targeted policy tweak]()
The higher ceiling also applies to foreigners readmitted to France under the bilateral accord on preventing "perilous crossings" ratified in August 2025. Employers should note that assignees whose status lapses and who opt for voluntary departure may now receive greater financial help, potentially smoothing repatriation logistics.
From a policy perspective, the measure reflects France’s twin strategy of tighter enforcement – more border patrols, accelerated removal orders – and expanded voluntary-return carrots, positioning OFII programmes as the humane exit ramp in an increasingly restrictive landscape. Mobility advisers with at-risk transferees should update briefing materials to reflect the new amounts.
Administered by the Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration (OFII), the voluntary-return scheme normally provides staged support covering travel costs, a basic cash allowance and, in some cases, reintegration assistance. By boosting the cash component for this specific cohort, the interior ministry hopes to make the offer more attractive than continued irregular transit attempts and thereby ease pressure on northern-France border regions.
The higher ceiling also applies to foreigners readmitted to France under the bilateral accord on preventing "perilous crossings" ratified in August 2025. Employers should note that assignees whose status lapses and who opt for voluntary departure may now receive greater financial help, potentially smoothing repatriation logistics.
From a policy perspective, the measure reflects France’s twin strategy of tighter enforcement – more border patrols, accelerated removal orders – and expanded voluntary-return carrots, positioning OFII programmes as the humane exit ramp in an increasingly restrictive landscape. Mobility advisers with at-risk transferees should update briefing materials to reflect the new amounts.
