Assistance from American Consuls
- Contact the Department of State in an emergency: If you need help, consular personnel are at U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad and in the U.S. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- A complete listing of U.S. Embassies is available online: https://www.usembassy.gov/
- Contact the Office of Overseas Citizen Services at toll free in the U.S. or Canada 1-888-407-4747
- Outside the United States and Canada: +1-202-501-4444
- https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/emergencies.html
- Consular personnel know the local government agencies and resources in the country. They can help you:
- Replace a stolen passport
- Contact family, friends, or employers
- Obtain medical care
- Address emergency needs that arise as a result of a crime
- Obtain general information about the local criminal justice process and information about your case
- Obtain information about local resources to assist victims, including crime victim assistance and victim compensation programs
For information about What the Department of State Can and Can’t Do in a Crisis, see http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/emergencies/crisis-support.html.
In addition, note the following information for assistance in emergencies (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies.html):
- Arrest & Detention
- Death Abroad
- Lost & Stolen Passports
- Medical Emergencies
- Missing Persons & Contacting Loved Ones
- Natural Disasters
- Parental Child Abductions
- The State Department’s Role in a Crisis
- Victims of Crime
- Ways to Locate your Loved One in a Crisis Overseas
- Tropical Storm Season – Know Before You Go
- What Can You Do in a Crisis Abroad?
How to Access Emergency Funds while Abroad
U.S. consuls can assist Americans abroad who are temporarily destitute due to unforeseen circumstances. Americans who find themselves in these circumstances should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (see https://www.usembassy.gov/ for contact information) or the State Department’s Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444 (from overseas). Consular officers can help destitute Americans contact their family, bank, or employer to arrange for transfer of funds.
For information on how a family member can send money overseas, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/while-abroad/sending-money-abroad.html. In some cases, these funds can be wired through the Department of State. For information on how a consular officer can help under these circumstances, see https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/emergency-financial-assistance.html.
Refer to the Crisis Abroad: Be Ready page of the Department of State to be prepared for almost any eventuality: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/emergencies/what-can-you-do-crisis-abroad.html
