Why go back? Assisted return from Norway

Abstract

This report discusses factors that influence voluntary assisted return of third-country nationals from Norway. It is based on statistical information and interviews with civil servants/NGO-representatives and employees at reception centers for asylum seekers. The report shows that practical and financial support provided by the Norwegian government can be highly valuable to migrants in an irregular situation that want to return to their home country. However, other factors, such as the conditions in the home country or the adherence to the asylum project may hold others in similar situations from applying for assisted return. While return and reintegration programs may facilitate and increase the quality of assisted returns, this report finds no clear-cut link to the quantity of such returns.