Return Aid for Mongolians Suspended in Netherlands

Netherlands Temporarily Limits Return Aid for Mongolians Amid Concerns of Abuse

The Hague – The Dutch government is temporarily restricting reintegration assistance for Mongolians voluntarily returning to their home country, following a surge in applications that has raised suspicions of improper use of the program. The move, announced Wednesday by David van Weel (asylum, VVD) in a letter to the Lower House, aims to curb potential abuse while ensuring other forms of return assistance remain available.

Foreign nationals can currently receive support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Return and Departure (DT&V) Department, including assistance with travel documents, financed flight tickets, and 200 euros in cash upon departure. Those intending to settle long-term in the Netherlands are also eligible for up to 2,600 euros – with at least 2,000 euros designated for material reintegration support – to aid their resettlement.However, recent data indicates a disproportionate number of Mongolians are accessing the system shortly after arriving in the Netherlands, prompting the temporary restriction.

Between January and June of this year, over 300 Mongolian nationals departed the Netherlands with return aid, despite only 41 asylum applications being registered up to May 2025, according to figures from the immigration and naturalization service. The IOM suspects many are exploiting the system for financial gain.As a result,reintegration funding will be suspended for Mongolian applicants for the next six months.

“Other forms of return aid remain available to them, so that any practical barriers do not get in the way of the return,” Minister van Weel stated in his letter. the decision comes as the government continues to investigate potential issues with return assistance programs, including a recent review of the Return Foundation for asylum seekers.