British Behaviour Abroad

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office release incident figures

A report from the Foreign Office has revealed for the first time that over 3,000 British citizens got into trouble in South Asia last year. Many are British Asians visiting friends and family so the Foreign Office is releasing these figures today to warn British Asian nationals of the dangers of being unprepared for your travels – however familiar the destination.

According to the most accurate figures available, the period April 05–March 06 saw 52 Britons hospitalised in India; 12 arrested in Bangladesh; 10 die in Pakistan and 345 lose their passports in these three countries. Considering how familiar the majority of visitors are with the destination, these findings are quite surprising.

FCO research has suggested that whilst British Asians take precautions when they are travelling to holiday destinations such as Europe and the USA, it is often not the case when it comes to visiting friends and family in their country of origin. Many travel without insurance, without having vaccinations or even ensuring they have the correct re-entry documents.

It is essential that those travelling to such destinations make the necessary preparations before departure. Simple precautions like getting comprehensive travel insurance, getting appropriate jabs and taking copies of important documents. Just a little preparation can make sure your holiday is one to remember for the right reasons. textiles.

Additional Information

Nearly 700,000 British citizens visit India, Pakistan or Bangladesh each year. More information is available at www.fco.gov.uk/travel or by calling 0845 8502829.

Background and Regional Information

British Incidents in Asia based upon National Consular Return data
- 01 April 2005 – 31 March 2006 -

¹Estimated visitor figures supplied by country
²Most accurate figures available, based on Compass NG (lost/stolen passports) data March 05-April 06
³Total no. serious assistance cases - excludes 'Advice and Self Help' cases (i.e. 'General advice sought')

As part of the Know Before You Go Campaign, the Foreign Office is today issuing the following advice to British citizens visiting friends and family in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh:

1. Always take out travel insurance

• Medical expenses can be extortionate - it can cost up to £45,000 to get transported by air ambulance back to the UK from the Indian subcontinent
• It is unlikely you will have free access to good quality medical treatment, and costs can be extremely high if you become ill or injured
• If you have dual nationality, seek advice from your insurer on whether this affects your cover

2. Ensure all documentation is correct

• Make sure the name on your passport is the same one you give when booking flights and arranging other travel documentation
• If you have dual nationality, make sure you have a Certificate of Entitlement (to the Right of Abode) in the passport of your other nationality for you and your family
• Make a photocopy of the relevant pages in your passports (back page of your British passport containing your photograph and details and the Certificate of Entitlement in your other passport) and keep them separately to your passports

3. Know your nationality status

• If you are a dual national in the country of your other nationality, Her Majesty's Government can provide you with consular assistance only in exceptional circumstances
• If you or your father were born in Pakistan or Bangladesh, you may be considered a national of that country by the authorities, even if you don’t hold a passport of that country. This, again, may limit the assistance that the British government can offer you – so the onus is on you to be prepared for your trip.

4. Go to your GP to check whether you or your family need vaccinations

• Even if you have lived in a country in the past, you may no longer be immune to diseases local to that region
• Ensure all required vaccinations are up-to-date
• Check the Department of Health website at www.dh.gov.uk for advice on current inoculations required for the country you are planning to visit

5. Know the personal import laws

• It is illegal to bring meat products & pickles, milk, dairy or other animal products (e.g. fish, eggs, honey), chestnuts, potatoes or potato seeds into the UK from any country outside the EU
• Check www.defra.gov.uk for more information

6. Update yourself on the area you’re travelling to

• The laws, customs, political situation or safe and unsafe areas of a region can change very quickly. Check the Foreign Office website on www.fco.gov.uk/travel and click on ‘Travel Advice By Country’
• Register via the website for your free email alerts service where you will be sent all the relevant travel advice changes to your favourite destinations. 

Examples of what the Foreign Office can and cannot do for you when you are in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh
We can:

• Issue a replacement passport if yours is lost or stolen
• Provide help if you have been the victim of crime or are in hospital
• Provide details of local lawyers, interpreters, doctors and funeral directors
• Offer support in cases of child abduction, death of relatives, missing people kidnapping and forced marriages
• Make special arrangements in cases of terrorism, civil disturbance or natural disaster

We cannot:

• Help you enter a country, for example if you do not have a visa or your passport is not valid
• Give you legal advice, investigate crimes or carry out searches for missing people
• Get you better treatment in hospital than is given to local people
• Pay any bills or give you money
• Make travel arrangements for you or business arrangements on your behalf
• Get involved in land disputes
• Intervene in dowry disputes involving Indian/British marriages