About this project
In 2019, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has introduced the Virtual Counselling project. Funded by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF), this project allows migrants living in Germany to contact IOM staff through different online communication tools like Whatsapp, Skype, Viber, and Facebook.
Virtual Counselling is offered in the migrant´s native language in 23 countries of origin and the anonymous, individual, and unbiased sessions can take place during specified counselling hours or upon appointment.
Migrants interested in returning to their countries of origin can directly contact our IOM staff in Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, The Gambia, Iraq, Kosovo, Montenegro, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Russian Federation, Serbia, Republic of Türkiye, Republic of Moldova, Azerbaijan, Ukraine as well as Vietnam to receive comprehensive information about return assistance programmes provided by the German government and country-specific reintegration opportunities.
IOM staff inform callers about the situation in the countries of origin and available reintegration options in each country. This can include, for example, financial assistance for a business start-up, support for housing or medical needs, psychosocial counselling, or job counselling. Additionally, they learn about local i agencies that provide reintegration support.
Also, the Assisted Return and Reintegration (AVRR) counselling include information about the Reintegration and Emigration Programme for Asylum Seekers in Germany/Government Assisted Repatriation Programme (REAG/GARP), StarthilfePlus and other return programmes funded by the German Government.
Virtual Counselling can also be used by counselling centres during a regular face-to-face counselling session in order to overcome language barriers or to build trust in return and reintegration programmes.
“One of the migrants who was counselled through VC and was consequently referred to a counselling center in Germany has returned to Pakistan and has visited the IOM Pakistan office last week. I gave the migrant the address of two counselling centers near them. They were the second person who called so I remembered them quite well. I am happy for their family because their son kept thanking me that their parent only made up their mind to return after speaking to me.” – VC Counsellor from IOM Pakistan.
For more details on the project and country specific information please visit our Virtual Counselling page on Returning from Germany website.
