Czechia will start paying migrants for voluntary return to their homeland
The main goal of the program is to motivate asylum seekers whom the Czech Republic for various reasons does not want to accept to return home. Today's reality is that after being denied asylum, foreigners receive a so-called departure order, but instead of leaving the Czech Republic, they prefer to stay illegally.
Under the project, citizens of third countries (non-EU) who promise to leave the Czech Republic and not return not only to the republic but also to the European Union can receive up to 4,000 euros (about 100,000 crowns). The money will be paid for specific purposes – purchasing tickets, renting housing in a new place, education, medical care, starting a business, etc. Migrants will also receive full informational support, help with drawing up a departure plan, and settling all formalities with Czech authorities.
In the first year of the project, 60 million crowns will be spent. Three-quarters of this amount will be allocated by the European Union, the rest will be paid by the Czech Ministry of the Interior. In the coming months, the ministry will select an intermediary, a non-profit organization, which will handle the reception and processing of client applications. In the spring, an appropriate information campaign will also be conducted.
"The project is intended for all categories of foreigners: those who are already illegally on our territory and those who are awaiting a decision on asylum," said ministry representative Hana Malá.
Even holders of temporary and permanent residence permits will be able to participate in the program, but they will only receive informational support – they will not be eligible for the financial part. Citizens of countries with which the European Union has visa-free agreements (for example, all citizens of Ukraine) are also deprived of this right.