The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and UK embassies, high Commissions and consulates can help British nationals abroad in a range of circumstances. This includes, for example, supporting those who have lost their passport, been a victim of crime or who have been hospitalised or arrested.
What can the UK embassy do for you?
Issuing a replacement passport or other travel documents if yours are lost or stolen. Helping you to stay safe in the event of terrorism or a natural disaster. Assistance if you are the victim of a crime. Helping friends or family transfer money to you in an emergency.
Do embassies protect you?
Diplomats who represent their country abroad enjoy diplomatic immunity. This protects them against prosecution in the receiving state for the entire period in which they hold their diplomatic post.
What can Embassies help with?
While the Consular officers provide immediate and personal assistance to American citizens every day around the world — replacing lost passports, assisting injured or ill travelers, and assisting with marriages, births, and adoptions, other sections of the embassy provide more specialized assistance.
Can I get help from British embassy?
Call your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate at any time, selecting the option ‘Consular services for British nationals’. You’ll be put through to our 24/7 Consular Contact Centre, who will signpost you to the appropriate page on GOV.UK so you can book an appointment online.
Who provides security at UK embassies?
The Diplomatic Protection Group
It is the largest armed police unit in the UK. The Diplomatic Protection Group (DPG) was originally formed in November 1974 as a branch of the Metropolitan Police Service devoted to the protection of diplomatic missions in Central London.
Why do people go to the embassy?
Embassy: Embassies are locations in foreign countries where diplomats are based. They help citizens seeking to communicate with their home country and local nationals who wish to travel to the country the embassy represents. Consulate: Consulates are branch offices of an embassy.
What do embassy guards do?
Security Guards are primarily responsible for protecting mission personnel and preventing the compromise of national security information and equipment at designated diplomatic and consular facilities. Staff Noncommissioned Officers (E6 and above) serve as Detachment Commanders at two Detachments for 18 months each.
What crimes are not covered by diplomatic immunity?
Article 31 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations grants diplomats immunity from all civil lawsuits except for those that involve “private immovable property.”
Do embassies have their own police?
The Diplomatic Security Service (DSS or DS) is a security and law enforcement agency that acts as the operational division of the Bureau of Diplomatic Security, which is a branch of the United States Department of State.
What do embassies do for citizens?
The primary purpose of an embassy is to assist American citizens who travel to or live in the host country. U.S. Foreign Service Officers also interview citizens of the host country who wish to travel to the United States for business, education, or tourism purposes.
What are two things the embassy consulate are not permitted to do?
Cash checks. Locate or provide information on U.S. citizens without their permission. Provide information on schools or businesses in the U.S. or Thailand. Renew or replace driver’s licenses.
Can you sleep at an embassy?
Embassies are office buildings, not hotels. An embassy may have a bed or two in a medical unit, if it has a medical unit. It might have a couple of cots or fold-up beds, just in case. There may be a day bed in the motor pool for a duty driver who needs to ready to go at any moment.
Can you just walk into your embassy?
No, you can not. Even as a US citizen you are required to make an appointment to visit the consulate for non-emergency services.
How much does it cost to go to the UK embassy?
Standard Visitor visa – for UK, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey
| Visa types | Visa application fee (INR) |
|---|---|
| Short-term (up to 6 months, single or multiple entry) | 9531 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 2 years) | 35838 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 5 years) | 63860 |
| Longer-term (valid for up to 10 years) | 79778 |
What is the difference between British Embassy and British consulate?
A consulate is where consular services are performed. Embassies will normally have a consular section. While there will only one British embassy in the country you visit, there may be a number of consulates. These would usually be in cities with the most tourists.
Are embassies guarded?
Security presences vary from embassy to embassy. They’re guarded by Marine Security Guard contingents; the size of the force varies by country and is not publicly disclosed.
Where is the biggest embassy in the world?
Baghdad
The Embassy of the United States of America in Baghdad is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America in the Republic of Iraq. Ambassador Alina Romanowski is currently the Chief of Mission. At 104 acres (42 ha), it is the largest embassy in the world; it is nearly as large as Vatican City.
Who protects British diplomats?
It applies to any incident within both London and the UK. All incidents involving members of the diplomatic community must be reported to the Diplomatic Protection Group (CO6).
When should you go to an embassy?
Generally, embassies offer a limited range of services for Americans traveling overseas. They include helping you if you’re arrested or detained, if you’ve lost your passport, if you’ve been a victim of a crime, or if you’re the relative of someone missing abroad.
What happens when an embassy is attacked?
If an embassy is attacked, the host country must defend it, using military or police force as needed. If that doesn’t happen, the country with the embassy would have to consider closing its embassy and in extreme cases, ending diplomatic relations with the host country.