Andrei came to Ireland in 2010 and stayed for two months, looking for work as an irregular migrant. He left his wife and child in Moldova, hoping to find better economic opportunity. He realized almost immediately that he would be unable to find a job without a work permit, and found himself struggling to maintain housing. Andrei decided he could not survive in Ireland, and wanted to return to his family. Unfortunately, he could not afford the travel back to Moldova, as he had invested so much in his move to Ireland.

A friend who knew of Andrei’s situation recommended that he contact IOM to ask about his options for return. Andrei was assisted with buying a plane ticket and in organizing his legal documents to exit the country.

After Andrei returned, he struggled in Moldova because of political and security issues. He and his family survived with financial assistance from Andrei’s relatives at first. Andrei then submitted his business plan to begin a freelance building business. He received building tools and was able to begin providing construction services right away. After six months, Andrei reported that it would be possible to support his family with the income. There is a lot of competition for building services, however, and he needs more funds to buy equipment that will allow him to expand his services.

Veni lived in Ireland for one year as an irregular migrant, returning to Mauritius in 2011. He initially moved to Ireland in the hopes of finding a good job. However, without documentation, he quickly found himself with no means of financial support. He decided to return to Mauritius but he could not afford the plane ticket. His family was also unable to help him.

A friend told Veni about IOM, and he made an appointment to ask for assistance. He was informed that he could receive support for the cost of travel to Mauritius, and that he could also apply for a reintegration grant to study or begin a small business.

Pavana and her husband and children moved to Ireland in search of better jobs and a better life. They lived as irregular migrants for three years before they became unable to support themselves. Pavana heard that IOM could assist through their assisted voluntary return and reintegration program. She made an appointment to see if her family was eligible. They received support and returned to Mauritius in 2011.

After returning, Pavana and her family had a difficult time financially. They received support from relatives until Pavana’s husband found work as a driver. Pavana applied for the reintegration grant from her local IOM office, and began a car washing business out of her garage. The business is not yet earning enough to support the family but the extra funds help.

Navin left Mauritius for Ireland in 2006 because he could not find work. He took part-time or temporary construction jobs in Dublin for five years, but he did not have a visa. Navin did not feel settled in Ireland and missed his family. He decided to return to Mauritius in 2011.

A friend told Navid that IOM could assist his return. Navin visited the Dublin office to apply for the VARRP, and learned that he could also receive a grant to start a business. Navin had skills as a welder and so he planned to purchase tools once he was in Mauritius.

When Jean lost his job in Mauritius in 2008, he decided to move to Ireland. With so little industry in his hometown, he wanted to improve his English and hopefully find a job where he could become a skilled worker.

In Ireland, Jean enrolled in an English language course. He liked the people he met, and found a few jobs that allowed him to practice speaking English. When the course ended, however, his visa expired. Jean could not afford to enrol in another program, nor could he find an employer to sponsor him for a work permit.

Jean decided to return to Mauritius and looked online for resources that could help him. He found IOM’s voluntary return program and applied immediately. “I had already made the decision. I had planned my return beforehand, but I needed the support of IOM to do so.”

After he returned, Jean found it difficult to adapt to life in Mauritius. He applied for the reintegration grant so that he could take an IT course. The grant also paid for him to take his IELTS exam.

Celine and her husband came to Ireland in 2008, hoping that they would find good jobs and a future for their children. By 2011, however, Celine had no work and her husband could not support them with his part-time income. Worried about their children’s security, they looked for a way to return to Mauritius. They heard from friends about IOM’s programme, so they decided to apply for AVR assistance.

After IOM determined that they were eligible for the programme, Celine and her family immediately began preparing to move. “IOM explained our options, and the administrative process for return went quickly.”

After returning, Celine’s family had difficulty finding housing and adapting to life in Mauritius. They found emotional support through their church, where their children met new friends and Celine began volunteering.

Their family was able to apply for the reintegration grant. Because Celine’s husband was trained in metalworking, they decided to use the fund for welding tools that could help him find permanent work again.

Aurélie lived in Ireland with her two children for several years, until 2009. She had been denied a work visa but supported the family by working odd jobs in Dublin. Aurélie worried because their lives were financially unstable, and she did not want her children to continue to be irregular migrants in Ireland. She knew it would be best for the family to return to Mauritius but did not know how she could afford the travel expenses.

A good friend told Aurélie that IOM could help her to organise her travel documents and purchase plane tickets. When she met with IOM in Dublin, she also learned that she could apply for reintegration assistance to pay for training in a new profession. Aurélie decided to pursue a course that would teach her secretarial skills, hoping that she would be able to find a permanent job in a hotel or office.