What the consul can and cannot do for you
In 2006, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) launched a new consular guide, the Support for British Nationals Abroad. This explains in full for the first time what we can and can’t do to help British people in trouble abroad.
In the event of difficulties, the Consular Section can help you deal with:
ARREST: we can contact you within 24 hours and visit you within 48 hours, depending on where you are arrested. We can provide you with a list of reputable local lawyers. We can also give advice on local procedures, liaise with local authorities to provide e.g. a doctor if necessary and we will, if requested to do so, notify your next of kin either here or in the UK. But we cannot get you released from detention. We visit long term prisoners periodically.
SERIOUS ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT: If friends/relatives are not available to help, we can contact the hospital to check on your progress and whenever possible, visit you within 24 hours after notification of hospitalisation (if the hospital is in Metro Manila). Through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London, we can contact your next of kin if requested to do so.
DEATH: We can contact next of kin via FCO in London. We can give advice about arrangements for burial, cremation or repatriation of the remains to the UK.
MONEY: We can advice you on procedures for transferring money from UK (or elsewhere), normally via Western Union. We can contact friends/family if other channels are unavailable and arrange for transfer of funds via the FCO in an emergency.
Related Documents
Contacting Consular Staff in Manila
The Consular Section is located at 120 Upper McKinley Road, McKinley Hill, Taguig City 1634. The phone number is 00632.858.2200 and fax number is 00632.858.2342. With exception of public holidays (2009 list/2010 list), the public opening hours are:
Monday-Friday: 07:45am-12:00nn - for Consular assistance, submission of British Passport applications, Certificates of No Impediment (CNI), Birth Registrations and Notarial Services.
Monday-Thursday: 02:30pm-03:30pm - for collection of British passports, CNIs and Birth Registrations only.
Apart from Consular emergencies, telephone enquiries are only received from 08:00am-4:00pm, Mondays-Thursdays and from 08:00am-1:00pm on Fridays. You may also send email enquiries at DLManila-Consprotect@fco.gov.uk.
Out of hours contact: For genuine Consular emergencies involving British Nationals, please contact 00632.858.2200 for assistance.
Consular Visitors: Visitors are able to carry in handbags/small bags/briefcases with them. Larger bags and suitcases have to be left at the gatehouse. All mobile phones should be checked in at the gatehouse.
