Finland Offers Up to $5,500 Aid to Asylum Seekers for Voluntary Return

Finland's Interior Ministry announced a plan on Thursday to provide asylum seekers with assistance of up to 5,000 euros ($5,500) for their voluntary return to their home countries.

This support will be available within 30 days after they receive an initial negative asylum decision or withdraw their asylum application.

"Under the new decree, the assistance for voluntary return will be EUR 5,000 if the asylum seeker applies for the assistance within 30 days of the notification of the first negative asylum decision or the withdrawal of the application," the ministry said, adding that the decree will go into effect on January 1, 2024.

If asylum seekers apply for assistance after 30 days, the aid will be reduced to 2,000 euros, the ministry explained.

Additionally, 3,000 euros in assistance may be provided to " victims of human trafficking who are not resident in Finland and to people who have been issued with a temporary residence permit because they are prevented from leaving the country."

"The new decree will implement the Government Programme objective of staggering the assistance for voluntary return to encourage people to leave the country as quickly as possible and refrain from requesting a review of their asylum decision. The decree will also harmonize the level of assistance with Finland's reference countries," the ministry said.

The previous decree categorized countries into four groups to determine the amount of payments to asylum seekers for voluntary return. The new decree eliminates these groups, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their country of origin, receives the same level of assistance.

However, it's important to note that the assistance for voluntary return will not apply to those relocating to another EU or Schengen country or a nation whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Finland, according to the ministry.