Practices by Stakeholder 2

Timely issuance of laissez-passer and replacement of identity and travel documents

Citizens abroad may be required to present identity documents in order to move to safety within the host State or to obtain assistance locally. Citizens abroad must have access to valid identity and travel documents in order to cross international borders. States of origin rely on identity and travel documents to determine citizenship and to assist citizens to evacuate, relocate, or return to their homes. Measures States of origin can take include:

• At consular posts, providing citizens with new identity or other documents, such as passports, temporary identity documents or travel documents if they are lost, have been confiscated by employers (particularly the case for domestic workers), or in case they never had them.
• Adopting a ‘no questions’ policy regarding immigration status in the host State; Requesting assistance from international organizations to provide identity documents to citizens;
• Issuing laissez-passer or other documents to enable evacuation and other assistance for family members, if they are not of the same nationality as the citizen applying for assistance to the State of origin.

Deployment of consular assistance teams to borders, airports, seaports, or other transit points

The deployment of specialized personnel to host States or States of transit to facilitate the provision of documentation can speed up the process of assessing citizens’ needs and providing assistance. Measures States of origin can consider include:

• Opening temporary consular posts at borders;
• Deploying consular assistance teams to multiple locations, including at borders, airports, and transit points;
• Deploying teams specifically tasked with assessing and addressing citizens in need of particular protection, such as victims of trafficking, workers deprived of their documents by their employers, and children, including those that are unaccompanied or separated, and providing timely responses;
• Activating consular service agreements, if they exist, to request assistance from other States in assisting citizens;
• Coordinating with international organizations to receive technical assistance and additional personnel.

Negotiations with host States and States of transit regarding waivers and exceptions to exit, stay, and entry requirements

Legal and policy requirements in the host State may present barriers to relocating, evacuating, or transiting to a place of safety, or to otherwise receiving lifesaving assistance. States of origin can identify whether such barriers exist and negotiate (including in partnership with other States of origin) with host States and States of transit for temporary waivers or exceptions to barriers.