Consular assistance is help and advice provided by the diplomatic agents of a country to citizens of that country who are living or traveling overseas.
Such assistance may take the form of:
- provision of replacement travel documents
- advice and support in the case of an accident, serious illness or death
- advice and support to victims of serious crime overseas, and arranging for next-of-kin to be informed
- visitation contact with incarcerated nationals
- liaison with local police officials in the case of nationals abducted or missing overseas
- loans to distressed travellers
- help during crises, such as civil unrest and natural disasters
- facilitating the overseas payment of social welfare benefits
- registering citizen births abroad
- providing a list of local doctors and lawyers
- supervising their flag vessels in foreign harbours
Such assistance commonly does not extend to:
- storing luggage or valuables
- intervening in commercial disputes on behalf of their nationals
- providing travel agency, banking, or postal services
- money changing
- translation and interpreting services
- legal advice or advocacy
- negotiation of special treatment, bail, or early release from prison
- criminal investigation
- employment services
Read more about Consular Assistance: Vienna Convention On Consular Relations
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