The UK consulate in Romania refuses to process emergency travel documents. What are my options?
Today, I attended my national British consulate office in Bucharest, Romania. I am here for 5 weeks on vacation. About 10 days ago, I had my passport and all of my money stolen from me. After visiting there last week, I returned as advised to with every inkling of paper work required, and the police report. I am due to return home in 2 weeks.
The consulate talked over me at the same time as I was talking to them. They continued to ask multiple questions, but upon an attempt to answer them if I got that far, they continued to talk over my replies. Subsequently, and I can not really figure what I did wrong, the consulate said to me that "they have the right to refuse" to serve me, and that "if I continued in the" way I had done there today, they could impose this. The difficulty was caused over no less than money. Of course, and they would know about such matters. I did not have enough to pay them as I'd been robbed. I left the consulate to go to the ATM and had to return with the same amount of money available. I have not yet been able to collect emergency travel documents.
My question is about a consular office refusing to serve at all. If they had stuck to that and they're the only one in Romania, which is in the EU. My home country is United Kingdom. I have previously visited USA for up to 90 days 3 times close to each other in the last few years. If I was in a country like USA or non-EU and the Consulate offices refuse to serve me in this situation, in the whole of their country, what should I do? Remain illegally, or tell police that I could soon be illegally there, or do what? One cannot stay in a non-EU country without the correct passport, paperwork or access to getting emergency documents. Would I be completely stuck, or have to travel to another country? Can they refuse to serve me at all, and ongoingly, as how could they? I would be abroad endlessly then forever and stuck?
Best Answer
I am not a British citizen and therefore have no experience with British consulates specifically but I do know a bit about bureaucracy and living abroad so I might be able to offer some advice. Generally speaking, you are indeed dependent on your consulate, there is no way around that.
In fact, if you would stay illegally for a long time and the authorities of the country you are in would want to remove you (that's not happening in this case, I am just mentioning this to illustrate how the system works), they would contact the British consulate to confirm your citizenship and obtain a laissez-passer.
So the consulate apparently pushed you out and you understandably feel angry about that but there is no point belabouring this further, asking whether they have the “right” to do that or what else you could do if they don't help you.
From what you wrote, I gather that you have not been issued a formal refusal or negative decision you would have to appeal or anything like that. The next step is therefore simply trying again. Maybe you will talk to someone else but even if you don't, make sure you keep calm, no matter what, even if you feel the consulate is less helpful than it should. Be polite, don't be argumentative, listen to what they tell you and look for solutions. EDIT: To repeat the same thing more bluntly and as some others commented, you need to suck it up and stop with all the talk along the lines of “it's their problem”, “the government should do this” or “they shouldn't have done that”.
Regarding money, consulates generally cannot waive fees or provide you with funds but they should be able to help you get some from the UK. One solution when everything else fails (e.g. you have no bank cards anymore, nobody can pay for you) is to get a relative (or perhaps your bank's or credit card's assistance service) to send you money via Western Union. They strongly warn against that of course but it's possible to allow the recipient to get the money without ID, with a password. And it's expensive too. But it works.
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How long does it take to get an emergency travel document UK?
Your emergency travel document will normally be ready 2 working days after you apply. It may take longer because of coronavirus (COVID-19). It can also take longer, for example if you have: applied for a child under 16.Is an emergency travel document the same as a passport?
Emergency Passport Service While Abroad Take a copy of the police report to the embassy or consulate. The cost of a limited-validity emergency passport is the same as a full-validity passport.Can you travel to other countries with an emergency passport?
You can use an emergency travel document to travel to your destination through a maximum of 5 countries. You can also normally use it to return to the country you're applying from if you live there. Your travel plans (countries and dates) will be printed on your emergency travel document.How do I get an emergency passport UK?
How can I get a passport urgently?Applying for a UK Emergency Travel Document (ETD)
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