Ivan lost his residence permit in Slovakia. At the same time, he recieved an entry ban covering the European Union. This is his story.

Ivan’s story started with his arrival to Slovakia where he came for work in order to earn more money than at home, in Ukraine. Thanks to his work experience and language skills, he soon found a job through a work agency.

After a while, Ivan, following recommendation of the agency, changed his employer and place of residence. However, the agency did not inform the authorities of this change. Ivan's residence permit expired and he was expelled from Slovakia with an EU entry ban. Therefore he had to leave Slovakia in a short period of time. His friend told him about the assisted voluntary return and reintegration program, in which IOM assists migrants without a residence permit with returning home from Slovakia. Ivan asked IOM for help.

After his return to Ukraine, Ivan found himself in yet another complicated situation. He did not have own place to live, his mother lived in a small rented apartment and he had no other relatives in the country. Therefore, he asked IOM for help with accommodation. It was not easy to find a suitable apartment, as the demand for apartments in his city was high, but after initial difficulties, Ivan succeeded. IOM covered rent for the first seven months after his return home, which gave him enough time to look for a job that would provide him with his own income.

Ivan also decided to invest in his qualification and with additional IOM support he completed a driving course. After that, he found a job as a forklift operator and became able to pay rent and living expenses from his salary. Ivan continues to improve his qualification as he wants to move to a higher work position and get a higher income. If the situation does not worsen because of the pandemic, in the future he could earn same money as he did in Slovakia.

Ivan from Ukraine: “IOM´s help fulfilled my needs - when I returned, what I needed the most was accommodation and a job. I am now employed and I live in a rented apartment. "
Photo © International Organization for Migration (IOM).

(The names of the persons have been published with their consent. / The names of the persons have been modified to protect them.)

Find more information on IOM assistance to migrants with their return home from Slovakia and their other stories: www.avr.iom.sk/en.

Voluntary Return and Reintegration in Country of Origin (Individual Project). This project is co-funded by the European Union from the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). Home Affairs Funds.