If you are a Nigerian national considering returning to Nigeria from Germany, you may have questions about voluntary return, deportation, reintegration support, residence status, return assistance or finding work in Nigeria.
This FAQ page answers common questions about returning to Nigeria and explains how ARRIVES can support Nigerians in Germany who are exploring their return options.
Whether you:
ARRIVES can help you to understand your options and plan a safe, dignified, and informed return to Nigeria.
We understand that planning to return can be incredibly stressful. Some people face uncertainty about their legal status in Germany, while others worry about how they may be viewed by family and their community back home. ARRIVES understands these concerns and provides confidential, non-judgemental support and counselling so you can make the best plan for your situation.
If you can’t find the answer to your question below, contact us confidentially here. You can choose to remain anonymous. Our teams in Germany and Nigeria are available to discuss the support available through ARRIVES before, during, and after your return.
ARRIVES supports Nigerian nationals in Germany who are thinking about returning to Nigeria.
This includes:
Some people contact us after deciding to return, while others are still exploring their options. Whatever your situation, you are welcome to speak to us.
Yes. We can support families returning to Nigeria together, including partners and children. Families returning with children may receive additional support depending on their situation and needs.
Yes. You can speak to ARRIVES regardless of your current situation in Germany.
Your conversation with us is private. We do not share what you tell us with immigration authorities, the police, or any other enforcement body.
ARRIVES focuses on supporting voluntary return. We do not provide legal advice on asylum or residence matters.
If you are seeking legal support, we can refer you to refugee support organisations in Germany, such as Flüchtlingsräte, Pro Asyl, or local refugee support groups.
If your asylum application is refused or you are considering return, we can help you understand what voluntary return would involve.
Yes. ARRIVES is run by independent organisations that keep your details strictly confidential. We are independent from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and Ausländerbehörde and separate from the asylum process.
What you tell us stays private. We only share information if you ask us to, for example to help arrange your return.
Yes. If you have been granted protection in Germany but are still considering returning to Nigeria, we can support you to plan your return and help you when you arrive in Nigeria.
Yes. People contact ARRIVES for many different reasons, including people who have been told to leave Germany.
We can talk through what voluntary return would mean in your situation, what timelines may apply, and what support is available if you decide to return to Nigeria.
For legal advice, we recommend speaking to a lawyer or refugee support organisation, such as Flüchtlingsräte or Pro Asyl. We are happy to work alongside them if needed.
ARRIVES is only able to support Nigerian nationals in Germany.
ARRIVES can only support people who are still in Germany at the time of registration.
If you are already in Nigeria, please contact us and we can connect you with organisations that support returnees locally in Nigeria who may be able to help.
What you choose to share with ARRIVES is confidential. We do not share your personal details or conversations with immigration authorities, the police, or any other enforcement authorities.
Our funders only receive summary information about the programme as a whole, which does not identify individuals. They do not see your personal data or our conversations.
No. ARRIVES is independent from the German authorities that decide on asylum and residence applications.
You can speak to us confidentially at any stage of your asylum process to explore your options. And you are free to stop or pause support at any time.
Our team in Nigeria works with the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), which is the Nigerian government body responsible for return and reintegration support.
We only share your personal information with your clear consent, and only when it is needed to arrange your return or access reintegration support.
We will always explain what is shared and why before anything is passed on, so you can make an informed decision.
No. You do not have to share your story publicly to receive support.
Stories of previous ARRIVES participants on our website and social media are only shared when the individual has chosen to share them and has given their full consent.
Yes. Your first conversation with us can be anonymous. You do not need to share your name, immigration status, or personal details if you prefer not to.
You can decide if and when to share more information later.
No. A first conversation is for information and guidance only. You are not committing to anything by speaking with us.
The decision to return to Nigeria is entirely yours. You can change your mind at any time or take a break from the process.
No. ARRIVES does not force anyone to return to Nigeria.
We provide information and support to people who are considering voluntary return. You can ask to stop support at any time.
No. ARRIVES is not a government programme.
It is run by three independent organisations:
ARRIVES is funded by the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) and the European Union. Their funding is simply used to run the programme. Funders only receive summary information about how the project is working overall. They do not see your personal details, conversations, or individual cases and have no role in decisions about your situation.
Voluntary return is a return process that you choose and plan. You have more time to prepare, make arrangements, and think about what comes next after arrival in Nigeria.
Deportation is when German authorities require you to leave Germany and organise your return. It usually happens on the authorities’ timeline, often with less time to prepare or arrange support for your arrival and reintegration in Nigeria.
We use the term “voluntary return” because it is the common term for a return that is planned and organised with the person returning, rather than enforced by the authorities.
We understand that everyone’s situation is different. Some people choose to return even if they could stay in Germany. Others may have limited choices and are deciding between a planned return, deportation, or staying in Germany without legal status.
We recognise that, for some people, this decision may not feel fully voluntary. Whatever your situation, ARRIVES is here to support you to return to Nigeria in a safe, dignified, and informed way.
A voluntary return does not automatically result in a re-entry ban in the same way that deportation can.
Whether you can return to Germany later depends on your individual situation and the type of visa you apply for in the future.
In some cases, people are able to return later for work, study, family visits, or tourism, but this is not guaranteed.
We always recommend speaking to a lawyer or a refugee support organisation, such as Flüchtlingsräte or Pro Asyl, to understand your specific options.
The timeline depends on your individual situation. For some people, the process takes a few weeks. For others, it can take several months.
It depends on factors such as documents, travel arrangements, funding applications, and your personal decisions along the way. We will discuss realistic timeframes with you during our first conversation.
A valid Nigerian passport is usually required for travel.
If you do not have a valid passport, we can guide you through the process of renewing it or applying for an emergency travel document.
We can also support you with registration for a National Identification Number (NIN) if needed.
In some cases, you may also need additional documents depending on your situation and plans after return. We can discuss this with you individually.
One of our team members will get back to you, usually within one working day. We will then arrange a first conversation by phone, WhatsApp, or in person at one of our offices in Germany.
This first conversation is for you to ask questions and understand your options. You do not need to decide anything at this stage and you can choose to remain anonymous.
If you are dealing with a more complex situation—such as pressure to leave, safety concerns, or health issues—we can also discuss this and look at what support may be available. You then decide what happens next.
Yes. We have offices in Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Munich.
If you live elsewhere in Germany, we can support you by phone or WhatsApp, or arrange another way to talk that works for you.
We can also cover your travel costs for you to attend a meeting at one of our offices, or in some cases arrange for an ARRIVES coach to meet you closer to where you live.
You can speak to our team in English, German, and Pidgin or any Nigerian language you are comfortable with.
Yes. You are welcome to invite someone you trust to take part in our first conversation if this makes you more comfortable.
You can still talk to ARRIVES. We are here to listen to your situation, if you feel comfortable sharing, and provide support.
Our teams are trained to recognise and respond to signs of pressure, coercion, trafficking, gender-based violence, and other safety concerns.
If you need specialist support, we can connect you with services that focus on protection and safeguarding.
In Germany, ARRIVES helps you understand your options and prepare for a possible return to Nigeria if you choose to do so.
We work with you to develop a personalised return plan based on your situation, skills, and goals. This may include:
You decide the pace and direction of the process.
In Nigeria, our team provides a warm welcome at the airport and helps you with your first steps after arrival.
After that, we continue supporting you for up to 12 months with:
No. Support from ARRIVES is completely free at every stage of the process.
We can cover your transport costs to attend in-person meetings with your ARRIVES coach while you are still in Germany.
If you return to Nigeria, we help you access financial assistance for reintegration (exact amounts will depend on your individual situation and eligibility).
ARRIVES does not provide financial support directly. Instead, we help you access existing return and reintegration support programmes, including:
The amount of financial support available depends on your individual situation and eligibility for these programmes.
A member of our team will discuss your situation with you and explain what financial support you may be able to receive.
Yes. We can provide you with psychosocial support in both Germany and Nigeria.
We recognise that returning to Nigeria is a major life change, and we know from experience that it takes more than practical planning to make a return work.
We offer space to talk, emotional support, and help in dealing with stress or uncertainty before and after return.
You will arrive in Nigeria, usually in Lagos or Abuja, as a regular traveller on a scheduled flight. Our team in Nigeria meets you at the airport to provide a warm welcome and help you with your immediate needs.
Where eligible, you may receive cash assistance in the form of a prepaid debit card to help you pay for temporary accommodation, food, onward travel, and other logistical costs.
Yes. We can help you adjust after returning to Nigeria and support you with practical steps such as:
If you choose the business pathway, we will also help you to register your new business through our partners such as the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), which offers a free registration programme.
Yes. We continue to support you for up to 12 months after you return to Nigeria.
During this time, we help you with steps such as finding work, starting a business, reconnecting with family and community, and rebuilding your life.
Our goal is to support you until you feel settled and able to manage independently.
We can discuss your medical needs in our first conversation.
Together, we look at what treatment or medical support may be available in Nigeria and what continuity of care might look like for your situation.
This depends on your condition, the medication required, and the healthcare services available in the area you want to live in after you return.
If things do not go as planned after your return, your ARRIVES coach can support you to review your situation and explore your next options.
This may include adjusting your plan, accessing additional support, or discussing alternative pathways based on your circumstances. You are not alone in this process.
