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Emergency repatriation and getting home from a foreign country

Being stranded in a foreign country during a war, civil conflict, natural disaster, airline bankruptcy, pandemic border closure, or personal financial crisis is a severe travel emergency. Knowing how to coordinate with your home embassy, secure emergency funds, and arrange repatriation travel gets you home safely.

Do this now

  1. Register immediately with your home country's overseas citizen registration system (such as STEP for the United States, ROCA for Canada, or Smartraveller for Australia).
  2. Contact your home country's nearest embassy or consulate to report your location and request official emergency repatriation guidance.
  3. Contact your airline, travel insurance provider, or credit card emergency assistance line to rebook commercial flights immediately before routes close.
  4. Keep your physical passport, prescription medications, emergency cash, and charged phone in a wearable travel pouch or go-bag at all times.
  5. If you are entirely without money, ask your embassy for an Emergency Financial Assistance Loan or Repatriation Promissory Note to fund return travel home.

Government repatriation and evacuation flights

During major international crises, foreign ministries organize emergency evacuation operations for their citizens:

  • Official traveler registration: Governments use traveler registration systems to broadcast evacuation flight schedules, departure assembly points, and emergency notices.
  • Embassy charter flights: When commercial airlines stop operating, home governments may charter military or civilian aircraft to repatriate citizens.
  • Repatriation promissory notes: Embassies typically require citizens to sign a formal agreement promising to reimburse the government for the cost of the repatriation ticket after returning home.
  • Priority evacuation rules: Evacuation flights generally prioritize unaccompanied minors, families with young children, pregnant women, and individuals with severe medical needs.

Commercial rerouting and overland border crossings

If local airports or airspace shut down:

  • Alternative transit hubs: Look for commercial flights departing from secondary airports or neighboring countries that remain open.
  • Overland border transit: Coordinate with your embassy before attempting to cross land borders during a crisis. Ensure you possess valid transit visas or entry permits for neighboring nations.
  • Cross-border bus and rail: Check international bus and rail networks, which often continue operating after air traffic halts.

Travel insurance emergency evacuation benefits

Comprehensive travel insurance policies contain specific emergency transportation provisions:

  • Emergency medical repatriation: Pays to transport an ill or injured traveler back to their home country accompanied by medical personnel.
  • Political and security evacuation: Covers evacuation costs if a host country issues a mandatory government evacuation order due to civil unrest or conflict.
  • 24/7 Assistance hotline: Call your insurer's 24-hour emergency assistance hotline before paying out-of-pocket for charter flights to ensure pre-authorization.

Country-specific emergency consular contacts

Rely on official foreign ministry portals for real-time travel alerts:

  • United States: Department of State Overseas Citizens Services (+1 202-501-4444 from abroad).
  • United Kingdom: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) (+44 20 7008 5000).
  • Canada: Global Affairs Canada Emergency Watch and Response Centre (+1 613-996-8885).
  • Australia: Consular Emergency Centre (+61 2 6261 3305).
  • European Union: EU citizens can request emergency consular protection from any EU member state embassy if their home country is unrepresented.