Consular Services

The External Affairs Department of the Velocity Interoperability Network provides consular assistance to citizens of the Velocity Interoperability Network who are beyond its boundaries. Assistance is given through the representation covering the area in which the citizen is, and is directed from the Office of Consular Affairs, which opens a case for every matter and keeps the papers together under a single reference.

Consular assistance began on 6 September 2026. Between 10 August and 5 September 2026, 612 cases were handled under the interim arrangements made by member organisations, and those still open at establishment were transferred to the Department; 84 emergency travel documents were issued in the same period.

What the Department provides. Assistance falls into seven kinds.

Citizens detained or held by an external body

The Department seeks confirmation that a citizen is being held, asks that the citizen be allowed to receive a visit from the representation covering the area, and records the conditions in which the citizen is held. It informs next of kin where the citizen consents.

Lost, stolen or damaged identity documents

Where a citizen's identity record is lost or is no longer usable, the representation confirms the citizen's identity against the Network's registers and reports the loss so that the record can be cancelled and replaced on return.

Emergency travel documents

A single-journey document allowing a citizen to return to the Network when the ordinary identity record is unavailable. It is valid for the journey stated on it and is surrendered on arrival.

Illness, injury and death beyond the boundaries

The Department makes contact with those treating a citizen who is seriously ill or injured, informs next of kin, and assists with the formalities where a citizen dies beyond the boundaries of the Network.

Certified copies of records held by the Network

Copies of entries in the Network's registers, certified by the Department for use before an external body. Certification confirms that the copy agrees with the entry; it does not confirm anything beyond it.

Transmission of urgent messages

Where a citizen cannot be reached directly, the Department will pass an urgent message from next of kin through the representation covering the area, and will pass a reply back by the same route.

Assistance during a disruption or emergency

Where an area is affected by a disruption, the representation contacts citizens who have recorded an itinerary, publishes instructions through the Department and, if departure becomes necessary, coordinates it with the body to which it is accredited.

If you need assistance. The steps below apply wherever you are and whatever the matter.

1. 1

   Step 1: Make yourself safe and seek immediate help where it is needed

   Where there is an immediate risk to life or health, seek the help available where you are before contacting the Department. Consular assistance follows; it does not replace immediate treatment or rescue.

2. 2

   Step 2: Write to the Department

   Send the facts to the Department by email, using the address given at the foot of this page: what has happened, where you are, and how you can be reached. Mark the message urgent if it is. Urgent messages are acknowledged within two hours and ordinary enquiries within one working day.

3. 3

   Step 3: Give the details needed to identify you

   State your name as it appears in the Network's registers, your identity record number if you have it, and the date on which you left the Network. If a document has been lost, say when and where it was last held.

4. 4

   Step 4: Wait to be contacted by the representation covering the area

   The Office of Consular Affairs opens a case, gives it a reference and passes it to the representation covering the area in which you are. The representation makes contact and confirms what it can do.

5. 5

   Step 5: Keep the case reference and report any change

   Quote the reference in every later message. Tell the Department at once if you move, if you are released, if your condition changes or if the matter is resolved, so that the case can be closed or amended.

6. 6

   Step 6: Confirm your return

   When you are back within the boundaries of the Network, write to the Department. Any emergency travel document is surrendered, the replacement of a lost identity record is put in hand, and the case is closed.

Standards. The Department publishes the time within which each step is taken. The emergency column applies where there is a risk to life, liberty or health, or where a citizen cannot remain where they are.

Who may ask for assistance. Entitlement follows the person's standing in the Network rather than the reason for the journey.

Common questions. The answers below set out the limits of consular assistance as well as its extent.

Consular enquiries may be sent to contact@foreign.gov.vin. Before travelling, read the current Travel Advice for the area you are going to and record an itinerary with the Department. Further answers are given on the frequently asked questions page.