Emergency Services
Information about emergency assistance and services provided by the Zimbabwe Embassy in London for Zimbabwean citizens in the United Kingdom.
Emergency Contact Information
If you are a Zimbabwean citizen in an emergency situation requiring immediate assistance, please contact the embassy's emergency hotline: +44 7778 123456 (after-hours emergencies only).
Emergency Contact Details
During Embassy Hours:
- Contact: +44 20 7836 7755
- Hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
For general inquiries and non-urgent matters, please contact the embassy during regular business hours.
After Hours Emergencies:
- Emergency Contact: +44 7778 123456
- Hours: 24/7 for genuine emergencies only
The after-hours emergency number is for genuine emergencies only. Non-emergency inquiries should be directed to the embassy during regular hours.
What Constitutes an Emergency?
The embassy considers the following situations as emergencies that warrant contacting the emergency number:
- Death of a Zimbabwean citizen in the UK
- Serious illness or injury requiring hospitalization
- Arrest or detention by UK authorities
- Victims of serious crime
- Missing persons (particularly vulnerable individuals)
- Major incidents affecting Zimbabwean citizens (terrorist attacks, natural disasters)
- Need for emergency travel to Zimbabwe due to death or serious illness of an immediate family member
Emergency Services Available
Emergency Travel Document (ETD)
For Zimbabweans who need to travel urgently when their passport is lost, stolen, expired, or unavailable.
- Processing Time: 1-2 business days
- Fee: £115
Death and Repatriation Assistance
Guidance and assistance with the repatriation of remains to Zimbabwe.
- Processing Time: Variable depending on circumstances
- Fee: Administrative assistance fees may apply
Crisis Consular Assistance
Support for Zimbabweans affected by major incidents, natural disasters, or other emergencies in the UK.
- Processing Time: Immediate where possible
- Fee: No fee for initial emergency consultation
Emergency Travel Document (ETD)
When You Need an ETD:
- Your passport has been lost, stolen, or damaged
- Your passport has expired and you need to travel urgently
- You have an emergency requiring immediate travel to Zimbabwe
- You have applied for a passport but it has not been processed in time for urgent travel
Note: An Emergency Travel Document (ETD) is also known as a Temporary Travel Document (TTD). It is valid for 6 months from the date of issue but is for a single journey to Zimbabwe only.
Required Documents:
- Completed ETD application form (Form P34, available at the embassy)
- Copy of your Zimbabwean birth certificate
- Copy of your Zimbabwe national ID card
- Evidence of passport status:
- Copy of expired/damaged passport OR
- Police report for lost/stolen passport
- Proof of pending passport application (if applicable)
- Confirmed flight booking/itinerary to Zimbabwe
- Two passport-sized photographs
- Fee payment (£115)
Application Process:
For emergency cases, the embassy can expedite processing of Emergency Travel Documents:
- Contact the embassy to explain your emergency situation
- Prepare all required documents
- Visit the embassy in person during consular hours (9:00 AM - 12:30 PM, Monday-Friday)
- In genuine emergencies, the embassy can process ETDs on the same day or next business day
- Pay the required fee (£115)
Important: An ETD is valid ONLY for travel to Zimbabwe. It cannot be used for international travel to other destinations except for transit purposes. Airlines may have additional requirements for passengers traveling on ETDs - check with your airline before travel.
Death and Repatriation Assistance
In the unfortunate event of the death of a Zimbabwean citizen in the UK, the embassy can provide assistance to next of kin with various aspects of repatriation.
Embassy Assistance:
- Guidance on UK procedures following a death
- Liaison with UK authorities and funeral directors
- Advice on the repatriation of remains to Zimbabwe
- Assistance with required documentation for repatriation
- Communication with family members in Zimbabwe
- Information on funeral service providers experienced in international repatriation
Required Documents:
For repatriation of remains to Zimbabwe, the following documents are typically required:
- Death certificate issued by UK authorities
- Embalming certificate
- Certificate of no infectious disease / freedom from infection
- Authorization for repatriation (from UK authorities)
- Passport of the deceased
- Burial order (to be used in Zimbabwe)
Note: Repatriation of remains can be costly. Check if the deceased had travel insurance or other policies that might cover repatriation expenses. In cases of financial hardship, the embassy can provide information on options but does not have funds to cover repatriation costs.
Crisis Consular Assistance
The embassy provides support to Zimbabwean citizens affected by major incidents, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, or other crisis situations in the UK.
Types of Crisis Assistance:
- Welfare checks for Zimbabwean citizens reported missing during a crisis
- Liaison with UK emergency services and authorities
- Temporary emergency documentation
- Coordination with Zimbabwean authorities
- Information and advice to affected individuals and their families
- Referrals to appropriate support services
In Case of Arrest or Detention:
If you are arrested or detained in the UK:
- Request that the UK authorities inform the Zimbabwe Embassy
- The embassy can provide a list of local lawyers familiar with representing Zimbabwean nationals
- Consular officials may be able to visit you in detention
- The embassy can notify your family in Zimbabwe if requested
Important: The embassy cannot provide legal advice, pay legal fees, or intervene in the UK legal process. The embassy's role is primarily to ensure fair treatment according to UK laws and to provide basic consular assistance.
Preparing for Emergencies
Zimbabwean citizens living in or visiting the UK are encouraged to take the following precautions:
Before Travel to the UK:
- Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay
- Make copies of your important documents (passport, visa, ID) and keep them separate from the originals
- Purchase adequate travel insurance that covers medical emergencies and repatriation
- Register your trip with the embassy if you're visiting for a short period
- Keep the embassy's contact details with you
While in the UK:
- Keep your embassy contact information updated if you're a long-term resident
- Be aware of local emergency numbers in the UK (999 or 112 for police, fire, ambulance)
- Follow local news and UK government advisories during periods of unrest or natural disasters
- Keep family members informed of your whereabouts when traveling within the UK
- Maintain valid immigration status and be aware of any changes to UK immigration rules
Frequently Asked Questions
In genuine emergency situations, the embassy can process an Emergency Travel Document (ETD) within 1-2 business days, and in some cases, on the same day. You must provide all required documentation and evidence of the emergency nature of your travel. For non-emergency situations, standard processing times apply.
Yes, the embassy can help if you've lost all your identification documents. You should first report the loss to the local police and obtain a police report. Then contact the embassy with this report. The embassy will work to verify your identity through available channels, which may include checking records or contacting authorities in Zimbabwe. This process may take longer than standard document replacements, so it's important to contact the embassy as soon as possible.
If you're a victim of a crime in the UK, you should first report it to the local police by calling 999 (emergency) or 101 (non-emergency). Obtain a police report or crime reference number. Then contact the embassy for consular assistance, especially if you've lost important documents or need other support. The embassy can provide information on local resources, help with replacing lost documents, and offer guidance on navigating UK systems. In serious cases, the embassy can also help communicate with your family in Zimbabwe if needed.
The embassy does not typically provide direct financial assistance to Zimbabwean citizens in emergency situations. However, in exceptional cases of serious distress where no other options are available, limited assistance might be considered on a case-by-case basis. The embassy can help you contact family members who might be able to send money, provide information about wire transfer services, or refer you to local organizations that may offer assistance. Any financial help provided by the embassy would generally be in the form of a loan that must be repaid.
The cost of repatriating remains to Zimbabwe can be substantial, typically ranging from £3,000 to £5,000 or more, depending on various factors such as the funeral director's fees, casket type, airfreight charges, and documentation costs. These expenses are typically the responsibility of the family. It's advisable to check if the deceased had travel insurance or life insurance that might cover repatriation costs. The embassy can provide information on funeral directors experienced in international repatriation and help facilitate the process, but cannot cover these expenses.
Contact for Emergency Assistance
During Office Hours:
- Phone: +44 20 7836 7755
- Email: zimlondon@zimfa.gov.zw
- In person: 429 Strand, London WC2R 0JR
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
After Hours Emergencies Only:
- Emergency Phone: +44 7778 123456
Please note that the after-hours emergency number should only be used for genuine emergencies requiring immediate assistance.