The Immigration Office may decide to hold an individual in a detention centre to implement their removal from the territory. If an individual is intercepted, the police will arrange for their transfer to a detention centre designated by the Immigration Office.
Family units are an alternative to detention for families with minor children.
Foreign nationals detained in prison in Belgium and without residence rights can be returned directly from prison or transferred to a detention centre.
When a foreign national in is returned from a detention centre, family unit or prison, this is always referred to as a forced departure, even if the individual wishes to return to their country.
When a foreign national in irregular stay is transferred to a detention centre, they receive information about detention and the various stages of the forced return process.
Every detention centre has information brochures translated into various languages, which are given to the residents. The return coaches assist the residents at the centre and provide psychological support to help them accept their return.
In prison, foreign nationals are informed by the return coaches.
The return can be arranged via:
- car if it is a neighbouring country
- train
- a scheduled flight with or without an escort from the IO and/or federal police
- a special flight
All persons subject to removal must be in possession of a valid travel document.
Advantages of an immediate departure:
- Fewer reimbursements for those who wish to return to Belgium or fewer costs for the guarantor or employer. Read more on this subject in the section on Reimbursement of removal costs
- Possibility to choose a preferred destination
- Shorter stay in the detention centre
- Return without police escort
Disadvantages of a repatriation with a police escort:
- A longer stay in the detention centre
- Impossible to choose the preferred destination: the individuals are repatriated to the capital of the relevant country
- Higher costs to be reimbursed if they wish to return to Belgium. Read more on this subject in the section on Reimbursement of removal costs.