Return

If migrants are no longer entitled to stay in a European country, they must return to their country of origin. The Netherlands believes that migrants themselves are responsible for their return. Preferably, therefore, migrants leave independently and voluntarily.

Organisations such as the Repatriation and Departure Service (DT&V) of the Ministry of Justice and Security or the International Organization for Migration (IOM) offer migrants support in returning to their country of origin. If necessary, departure is forced, which may include the use of immigrant detention.

The return of migrants without the right to a residence permit is an essential part of European Union (EU) migration policy. The rejection of a residence application is therefore accompanied by a return decision, obliging a migrant to leave the EU. By ensuring the rapid return of migrants without a right of residence, the EU also aims to discourage irregular migrants from undertaking the long and dangerous journey to Europe. Migrants who fail to comply with the duty to leave on their own accord could face an entry ban.