IOM AVRIM VOLUNTARY RETURN OF OVERSTAYERS

[yesenia]

Regarding a student who has overstayed and wants to go back and reapply as a spouse visa.

Is it true that IOM can be contacted to help to sort out the passport situation and return back, apparently, they will contact the Home office and receive your files and inform them of your departure, as it also helps with government figures of who have left. Would you recommended and if not why?

Apparently the programme It's called the AVRIM programme that helps irregular migrants (not refugees) who overstayed their visa to get back. The best thing about it is it stops you being detained and being served an IS151 form and you set the date of return with them with no pressure.

If someone were to use the IOM to go home and were then to reapply, Proving that you pay for your own flights etc back to the country of origin, and not taking money off them. Would it look bad on their reapplication as a spouse visa? Or rather it will show the ECO that a a positive move was made to correct what is wrong and do things the right way?.

Please shed some light to the above. Your help and any experiences with regards to the above are gratefully appreciated

[Jeff Albright]

Would you recommended and if not why?

Makes no difference. Whether you are detained or not, served with IS151A or not will not have any influence on your entry clearance application. In any event you will have to explain the circumstances to the ECO when asked to do so. There is a question in VAF "Have you ever been deported/removed or otherwise required to leave the UK". If you were an overstayer, you will have to answer "yes" to this question and explain below. If you explain it clearly, concisely and confidently, you may not even be asked about it again and if all the other documents are in order to meet the requirements of the Rules, this alone will not trigger further enquiries or interview.

[yesenia]

Jeff Albright, I really appreciate these and the previous comments that you made. your are really an expert and your suggestions are very exact and very encouraging. I am sorry I forgot to mention it previously

Kind regards