Registering with foreign consulate/embassy ?

ianscott

I've been here since last November, and (like I have done in other countries - Cyprus, Norway, Taiwan) figured I should 'register myself' with the UK embassy/consulate.

Given I'm in Ahmedabad and can't seem to find any local resource (searching Google etc) I was wondering what other people did ? This is probably all the more relevant given the recent blasts here in Gujarat.

Ta.

edwardseco

Never thought of it and know they wouldn't give a hoot or be able to do anything anyway..

machadinha

Tsk, tsk, how helpful is that, Ed. It surely won't hurt, and they might know where to look for missing compatriots if the occasion arises. And Ian says he's felt comfortable doing so before.

Ian, I don't know either, except for scouting the web for British commissions close to you like you say you already did. I'm guessing Mumbai might have one. Maybe ring 'em up?

--> http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/

http://ukinindia.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-india/

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Aishah

It's a good idea to register - your embassy alerts you when necessary etc. by email (at least New Zealand High Commission does and I assume it's the same for yours!) You should be able to do this all online as Mach suggests.

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Nick-H

I've never bothered.

edwardseco

No, just realism. It was told to me by a state dept. official in Delhi (an old teacher of mine). Just imagine the challenges they would face dealing with all the Yanks in India if there was a major dust up. Even on an individual basis we have seen here there ain't much they kin do for you if you get locked up. Oddly, enough I had to avail of such for a connection last year (no, not drugs). To say the least it was perfunctory. Nah, yer on your own kid in the real world..

machadinha

'Tis true, I never bothered as a tourist even though some maintain you should (imagine those embassies being overrun by tourist calls that they've arrived!), and I doubt if I would as an immigrant.

Then again, it's probably just a phone call; as said, it's unlikely to hurt.

Anyway: Ian's question seemed less should he or not, but how to go about it, and that he's done so before. So I'd suggest just contact your embassy, doesn't really matter if it's near or far away, you could probably call your Foreign Ministry at home even at least for further directions. It's probably a mere formality that you'll never hear from again even if you should need it, indeed. Well, save for perhaps possible email alerts and the likes like Aishah mentioned. Keeping an eye on the news no matter what else you do is never a bad idea anyway.

Aishah

For the long term, it's quite good to register - mainly because you are notified of news things like when Sir Edmund Hillary died, which you might miss otherwise (although I first heard that one on NDTV - just an example!) When the Indo-Pakistan 'war' was on in 2002, the embassies were warning all those who registered as well as giving warnings on their Foreign Affairs websites. They were so effective that many travellers and residents from other countries vacated the country in droves - extra buses were put on to convey them from Mcleod Ganj to Delhi because of the demand to get to the airport rapidly.
Social events, special occasions etc. are often notified and you are invited to them if you want to go.

machadinha

Good example, which makes you wonder about the panic effect really -- I mean how close was McLeodganj to the action at that time?

But, like I said twice now, I'm sure it can't hurt, certainly not if you maintain a cool head about any alerts.

Aishah

It does make you wonder about the panic effect but it was fair enough - there was a shell lobbed at Pathankot which is a military base and that's not that far away - about 3 hours car drive I think. It was one time McLeod Ganj was uncrowded with tourists - my friend (living there with an Indian husband) and I had a nice time in the quiet atmosphere!

machadinha

Nice to know you made the most of it!

(Scary times btw, I don't mean to make light of it. Had us all holding our breath I think, or it did me.)

btw I never knew that about Pathankot. Thought it had remained limited to threats mostly.