Financial Assistance for US Citizens Abroad
DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION IN THIS CIRCULAR IS PROVIDED FOR GENERAL INFORMATION ONLY AND MAY NOT BE TOTALLY APPLICABLE IN A PARTICULAR CASE. QUESTIONS INVOLVING INTERPRETATION OF SPECIFIC U.S. OR FOREIGN LAWS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO APPROPRIATE LEGAL COUNSEL.
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Q. WHAT SERVICES DOES THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE PROVIDE TO ASSIST U.S. CITIZENS ABROAD WHO NEED TEMPORARY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE DESTITUTE?
A. Overseas Citizens Services, Office of American Citizen Services and Crisis Management in the U.S. Department of State, (202) 647-5225 can assist U.S. citizens who are temporarily destitute abroad due to robbery or other unforeseen circumstances. If you find yourself in this situation, there are a number of alternatives available.
- Contacting Home: When U.S. citizens are stranded in another country, they may communicate with the American Citizen Services unit in the Consular Section of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for assistance in contacting their family, friends, or employer in the United States for financial help. See also the U.S. embassy and consulate contacts in our Consular Information Sheets.
- Wiring Money Directly: You or your family, friends or associates may be able to contact Western Union or a similar commercial service which have offices in many foreign countries to wire money directly to the U.S. citizen abroad. It will be necessary for the person receiving the money to present proof of identity such as a passport. See our information about replacement of lost or stolen U.S. passports abroad.
- Your Credit Card Company: Another alternative is to contact your credit card company which may be able to advance you funds temporarily. If your credit card was lost or stolen, report this immediately to your credit card company. They may also be able to verify your credit card directly to your hotel or airline to enable you to checkout of your hotel, obtain replacement airline tickets, or other emergency services. It may be necessary for a person receiving funds and a new credit card to present proof of identity such as a passport. See our information about replacement of lost or stolen U.S. passports abroad. You may also wish to confer with your credit card company before you travel abroad to find out what alternatives are available to you.
- Bank to Bank Transfers: It may also be possible to transfer funds directly from a bank in the United States to a bank in the foreign country where the U.S. citizen can receive the funds. Many foreign banks require that the U.S. citizen establish a foreign bank account to use this service. Bank to bank transfers can take several days to accomplish.
- Send Money Through the U.S. Department of State: Family or friends may send funds to you through the U.S. embassy or consulate using the Department of State Overseas Citizens Services (OCS) Trust process: Learn About Sending Money Overseas to U.S. Citizen in an Emergency. A fee of $20.00 is charged for setting up and maintaining a trust account for one year or less to transfer funds to or for the benefit of an American in need in a foreign country. See the U.S. Department of State Schedule of Fees, 22 CFR 22.1, item No. 66. For additional information, contact the U.S. Department of State, Office of American Citizen Services and Crisis Management at (202) 647-5225.
Q. IF FAMILY OR FRIENDS ARE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, ARE THERE OTHER SERVICES AVAILABLE?
A. U.S. citizens destitute abroad in need of help should contact the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate or the U.S. Department of State, Overseas Citizens Services, Office of American Citizen Services and Crisis Management, (202) 647-5225, for information about other assistance available to eligible persons.
Q. WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR U.S. CITIZENS IN CONNECTION WITH MEDICAL EMERGENCIES ABROAD?
A. See our Medical Information for Americans Abroad. See also our list of Hospitals and Doctors Abroad.
Q. IF YOU HAVE A U.S. CITIZEN RELATIVE OR FRIEND ABROAD IN NEED OF EMERGENCY FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, WHO DO YOU CONTACT AT THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE FOR HELP?
A. Contact the Office of American Citizens Services and Crisis Management at (202) 647-5225 or the Consular Section (American Citizen Services Unit) at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. See also the U.S. embassy and consulate contacts in our Consular Information Sheets. This information is also listed in your U.S. passport.
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