Between January and July 2025, Syrian refugees in Türkiye were able to take short “go-and-see” visits to Syria to assess conditions before deciding on return. Upinion spoke with more than 200 Syrians about their experiences and perspectives.
The findings show that while visits helped refugees make more informed decisions, participation was low due to financial, legal, and safety barriers. Those who did visit often encountered dire living conditions, insecurity, and destroyed infrastructure, leading many to conclude that safe and sustainable return is not yet possible.
This report highlights refugees’ voices on the usefulness of the visits, their future intentions, and their urgent needs in both Syria and Türkiye. It also provides key recommendations for policymakers and donors to ensure that decisions around return remain grounded in refugee perspectives.
Read the full report below.