Top tips
— Seek to obtain emergency travel documents rather than passports to make the reconnection process quicker and simpler.
— It's common for emergency travel documents to be valid for only for a few weeks, so other travel arrangements need to be co-ordinated with this.
Returning EU nationals are very likely to need assistance in this area. Seek help from UK consulates of EU countries, who are able to supply a range of relevant documents, including passports and travel documents, birth certificates, proof of citizenship. Further details are contained in the Consulate information section.
Consider if a passport application is relevant, or if the client can be provided with an alternative travel document. Emergency travel documents allow a single entry into a country and are therefore sufficient for reconnection. Emergency travel documents are issued by UK consulates and are quicker and simpler to obtain than passports because clients are not required to supply ID.
When obtaining emergency travel documents for clients, be aware of possible conditions placed on their use. For example, it’s common for them to be valid only for a few weeks, so other travel arrangements need to be co-ordinated with this. Also check with the issuing consulate if there is an expectation to repay the cost of the permit, as some countries seek this once the client has returned home.
Be aware that consulates will often require clients to attend appointments in person both to apply for and collect documents. Waiting times for appointments can be up to several weeks. Aside from the Polish consulate in Manchester, clients will be required to present for appointments in at consulates in London. For people living outside the capital this will require arranging travel and possibly also overnight accommodation.
It’s worth contacting individual consulates to discuss if they are willing to be flexible about these arrangements. For example, it has been possible to negotiate agreements to accept postal applications for documents from the Hungarian, Latvian and Slovakian consulates; to obtain the ID reference for an emergency travel document before issue and to use this to book a flight. Both of these cut down on travel time and staff costs.
It’s more likely that consulates will be willing to negotiate arrangements with services with whom they consider they have an existing relationship. For more detail on how to develop relationships and what support may be available from consulates.
