International organisation for Migration - IOM

🛡️ SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE SEEKING PROTECTION

If you have applied for international protection and are staying at a Registration and Reception Centre (RRC) run by the State Agency for Refugees (SAR), IOM’s Protection Team can support you with:

• Individual and group social, psychological and administrative counselling
• Legal counselling and assistance in following up on your application for international protection by liaising with SAR, your legal representative and other relevant parties
• Access to the Bulgarian healthcare system, including assistance with purchasing medication, covering the cost of medical examinations and procedures, and accompanying you to medical and dental facilities
• Information sessions to help you adapt to your new environment
• Interpretation and cultural mediation
• Clothing, footwear and hygiene supplies if you are in a vulnerable situation
• Individual medical assistance if you are in a vulnerable situation
• Assistance with communicating with institutions such as SAR, social and healthcare services, schools and employers

🤝 INTEGRATION SUPPORT — MIGRANT INFORMATION CENTRES

IOM operates Migrant Information Centres in Sofia, Varna, Burgas, Plovdiv and Harmanli. The centres provide integration support to third-country nationals. You can receive:

• An assessment of your most urgent needs
• Individual counselling and information sessions on topics that are important to you
• Translation and legalisation of official documents
• Assistance with accessing healthcare, including purchasing medication and covering the cost of medical examinations
• Financial assistance for urgent needs and food vouchers for vulnerable individuals and families
• Accommodation support if you are in a vulnerable situation and are leaving a reception centre
• Bulgarian language courses at levels A1, A2 and B1
• Employment counselling and support in accessing the labour market

📚 BULGARIAN LANGUAGE COURSES

IOM offers free Bulgarian language courses to help you communicate in everyday situations, continue your education and find employment. You can enrol in:

• Beginner courses at levels A1 and A2
• An intermediate course at level B1
• Specialised courses focusing on professional terminology to help you use your qualifications and find employment in Bulgaria

✈️ ASSISTED VOLUNTARY RETURN AND REINTEGRATION

Through the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Programme (AVRR), IOM can help you return to your country of origin.

The programme will only assist with your return if it is considered safe. Please contact IOM to discuss your individual circumstances.

You may apply for assisted voluntary return and reintegration if:

• You are staying in Bulgaria without the required legal documentation
• Your legal stay in Bulgaria has expired
• You no longer wish to remain in Bulgaria, even if you are a refugee or have been granted international protection
• Your application for international protection is pending or has been rejected
• You have voluntarily withdrawn your application for international protection

The Assisted Voluntary Return Programme provides:

• Individual counselling about the programme
• Assistance with obtaining travel documents
• Accommodation before departure, if necessary
• Plane tickets and financial support for the journey
• Transport to Sofia Airport and assistance with the airport authorities
• Medical assistance and a pre-departure medical examination for vulnerable people, if necessary
• Assistance during the journey and upon arrival in your country of origin
• Reintegration support after your return, with additional assistance available to vulnerable people and families

You will receive specialised assistance if you are a victim of trafficking, an unaccompanied minor or a single parent, or if you require medical support.

Contact the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration Team:

📞 +359 (2) 93 94 774
📧 [email protected]

🛑 SUPPORT FOR VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Human trafficking occurs when someone uses force, threats, deception or similar means to exploit another person through forced labour, sexual exploitation, begging or criminal activities.

Women, children and men of any age can become victims of human trafficking.

You may be in a situation of human trafficking if:

• You are forced to work or do something against your will
• You are abused or beaten, or you or your loved ones are threatened
• You are told that you owe money for your journey, documents or accommodation and must work to repay it
• You are not free to leave the place where you work or live
• You are accompanied whenever you go out, and your contact with family members and other people is restricted
• Someone controls your communication with the outside world
• Your identity documents have been taken by someone who is not a public authority representative
• You are kept in isolation or under surveillance

If you recognise any of these situations, contact us or visit an IOM office for confidential counselling and assistance.

IOM can support you with:

• An assessment of your needs and the risks you face
• Legal counselling
• Psychological support
• Medical assistance
• Social support
• Employment counselling, training and access to education
• Safe transport to your final destination
• Counselling and assistance with voluntary return and reintegration in your country of origin
• Follow-up and monitoring after support has been provided
• Referrals to other services

Contact the Counter-Trafficking Team:

📞 +359 (2) 93 94 774
📞 +359 884 602 987
📧 [email protected]

🕊️ SERVICES FOR PEOPLE FLEEING THE WAR IN UKRAINE

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, IOM provides the following services:

• Support in accessing healthcare, including covering the cost of healthcare services and medication and accompanying you to medical appointments
• Emergency accommodation for up to five days
• One-off financial assistance based on vulnerability criteria
• Social counselling and assistance with accessing social services
• Support in accessing education, including kindergartens and schools
• Information sessions and individual and group counselling
• Employment support, including help with finding a job and entering the Bulgarian labour market
• Bulgarian language courses