The Irish Voluntary Returns Programme—run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on behalf of the State—has updated its guidance for people who applied for international protection after 28 September 2025. Under the new rules, published on 9 February 2026, recent applicants may still access reintegration assistance of €1,200 for individuals or €2,000 for families if they choose to return home, but they no longer qualify for the higher payments introduced in 2024 for earlier cohorts. (gov.ie)
Returnees now receive part of the grant on a prepaid debit card at Dublin Airport and the balance as “in-kind” support—typically business start-up kits or vocational-training fees—distributed through IOM field offices. The Department of Justice says the change aligns Ireland with EU best practice by “front-loading” practical support rather than cash and discouraging secondary movements within the Schengen area.
Alongside IOM assistance, VisaHQ can play a complementary role: through its Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) the company helps employers, returnees, and their families secure any exit visas, transit permits, or new entry clearances required during a voluntary-return journey, offering real-time tracking and expert document reviews to keep timelines on schedule.
![Voluntary Return scheme updated for post-September 2025 asylum applicants]()
For global-mobility managers, the update provides an additional compliance lever when employees’ family members have outstanding asylum claims. Where companies fund repatriation of unsuccessful applicants, they can now coordinate with IOM to bundle corporate relocation services—such as shipping allowances or temporary housing—with the in-kind component, reducing duplicate costs.
Legal advisers note that voluntary-return eligibility remains separate from deportation orders: applicants must withdraw their protection claim before IOM will process assistance. HR teams guiding staff through status changes should therefore schedule immigration consultations early to avoid last-minute travel disruptions.
The returns office in Saggart, Dublin, has launched a dedicated helpline (+353 87 719 3579) and is running outreach webinars for employers and NGOs later this month.
Returnees now receive part of the grant on a prepaid debit card at Dublin Airport and the balance as “in-kind” support—typically business start-up kits or vocational-training fees—distributed through IOM field offices. The Department of Justice says the change aligns Ireland with EU best practice by “front-loading” practical support rather than cash and discouraging secondary movements within the Schengen area.
Alongside IOM assistance, VisaHQ can play a complementary role: through its Ireland portal (https://www.visahq.com/ireland/) the company helps employers, returnees, and their families secure any exit visas, transit permits, or new entry clearances required during a voluntary-return journey, offering real-time tracking and expert document reviews to keep timelines on schedule.
For global-mobility managers, the update provides an additional compliance lever when employees’ family members have outstanding asylum claims. Where companies fund repatriation of unsuccessful applicants, they can now coordinate with IOM to bundle corporate relocation services—such as shipping allowances or temporary housing—with the in-kind component, reducing duplicate costs.
Legal advisers note that voluntary-return eligibility remains separate from deportation orders: applicants must withdraw their protection claim before IOM will process assistance. HR teams guiding staff through status changes should therefore schedule immigration consultations early to avoid last-minute travel disruptions.
The returns office in Saggart, Dublin, has launched a dedicated helpline (+353 87 719 3579) and is running outreach webinars for employers and NGOs later this month.
