With well over 5 million Brits living abroad, the jobs of British consuls in foreign countries have become quite demanding. If picking up sticks and moving to Belize, Italy, Bulgaria or some other exotic destination is to your liking, it pays to know what these officials can and cannot do for you.
In this article we’ll explore some expatriate essentials when living abroad – and in particular the British Consul and the role of the British Embassy. Understanding what they can or cannot do for you can very much ease your transition into expatriate living and help guide you on when to call on their advice.
Expatriate Essentials - What the British Embassy Can Help With
Consuls can do a great deal to help out British citizens when they are living in or visiting foreign countries. They cannot do everything, however. Some of the circumstances where they can step in and provide assistance include: -
Assistance with lost money or tickets. Consuls cannot replace what you have lost, but they can help you contact relatives or friends back home for help.
Help with money transfers. Consuls are there to assist with advice on how to properly and safely transfer funds.
Referrals. Consuls are capable of referring British citizens to local Social Services that can help in emergencies. They can also assist citizens in finding local lawyers who can assist in a variety of legal matters.
Prison visits. Consuls will often visit British Nationals if they are arrested in a foreign country. They cannot do anything more than arrange for messages to be sent to friends and relatives. Sometimes they can make representations on your behalf to local authorities, but they are unable to get more involved than that.
Help with marriages. Consuls are there to walk British citizens through the process of getting married in foreign countries.
Living Abroad - What a British Consul Cannot Do for You
Consuls can do a whole lot to help British citizens acclimate to their new country and stay in touch with home, but they are limited in their function. Some of the things they are not able to do include: -
Get involved in court proceedings. They cannot intervene on your behalf in legal matters. They also cannot get you out of jail or obtain better help or care for you. If you are arrested in a foreign country, you will not receive treatment that is any better than locals would obtain. Consuls can help ensure that it is no worse however.
Pay for your expenses. They cannot pay for hotels, medical or legal bills or tickets.
Help you get a job or a place to live. They are unable to secure accommodations, work permits or employment for British citizens.
The British Embassy is an important resource for many people living aboard. Understanding what consuls can and cannot do to help you can make it easier to ascertain when to call on the embassy for help and when to look elsewhere. When in doubt, contact the embassy for assistance.
