Guidance

Kuwait: prisoner pack

Updated 22 November 2021

Introduction

This information is not meant to be definitive, and is not a substitute for independent legal advice. Neither His Majesty’s Government nor its staff take any responsibility for the accuracy of the information, nor accept liability for any loss, costs, damage, or expense that you might suffer as a result of relying on the information. The information contained in this guide is general and factual. You should contact local lawyers for independent legal advice.

Chapter 1: Key Points

Overview

If you are a British national, and are arrested or detained in another country, consular staff will do what they can to help you, but they cannot interfere with the local justice system, get you out of jail, or pay for services such as a lawyer. Information about who we can help, including the circumstances in which we can assist dual nationals, is available at: Support for British nationals abroad.

This detention information pack is designed to give you, and your family and friends, information about the local system in Kuwait and who can help. A printed copy is provided to those in prison or in custody, and an online version of the prisoner pack. We welcome feedback to help us improve the information we can provide to others.

Contacting us

If you are arrested or detained in another country:

  • The authorities should ask whether you want them to contact the British Consulate (and must do so if you want them to).

  • Even if they do not ask, you can make the request yourself, and should do so, particularly if you are charged with a serious offence or need any kind of assistance.

  • Friends or family can also contact the local British Consulate or the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) in London on +44 (0)20 7008 5000.

In some countries, the authorities might notify the British Consulate even if you don’t want anyone to know that you have been arrested. This is because there may be an agreement in place with the British Government which requires a mandatory notification to be made.

Who we are

Consular staff work in the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office in London, and in British Embassies, High Commissions and Consulates overseas.

The British Embassy in Kuwait (+965 22594320 select Consular Services).

Postal address Physical address
British Embassy, P O Box 2, Safat 13001, Kuwait British Embassy, Arabian Gulf street, Dasman, Kuwait

You can also contact us by phone 24/7 for help or advice from anywhere in the world by calling the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office on 020 7008 5000.

What we can do

The FCDO can offer you impartial and non-judgemental help. Once notified of your arrest or detention, consular staff will aim to contact you as soon as possible so that we can assess how we can help you. We then aim to provide assistance according to your individual circumstances and local conditions: our priority is to provide assistance to those British nationals overseas that need our help the most. In Kuwait, notification by the authorities to the Embassy is delayed or none.
Once we are notified (mostly by friends or family), we aim to contact you as soon as possible.

We can also:

  • provide a list of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters

  • provide general information about the country, detention conditions, and the local legal system (some lawyers provide pro-bono services)

  • provide general information about the local prison or remand system, including visiting arrangements, mail and censorship, privileges, and welfare services.

  • tell the police or prison doctor, with your permission, about any medical or dental problems including medication.

  • put you, or your family, in touch with a prisoners’ welfare charity called Prisoners Abroad.

  • in some circumstances we may be able to help take up complaints with the police or prison authorities about ill treatment, personal safety, or discrimination, if you are not treated in line with internationally recognised standards.

  • help to transfer money to you from your friends or family. In places where phone or postal services aren’t available, we can also pass on messages and deliver letters to the prison (but generally we cannot arrange for delivery directly to you – see guidance).

What we can’t do

  • get you out of prison or detention
  • help you get special treatment
  • offer legal advice, start legal proceedings or investigate a crime
  • pay for any costs as a result of being arrested
  • forward you packages sent by friends or family
  • prevent authorities from deporting you after release

First Steps

Can you / will you tell my family?

If you want us to, we can tell your family or friends that you have been detained and can provide them with information about how to contact you in prison or detention. With your consent, we can also keep them updated on your well-being.

If you are not sure about informing your family, we can help you consider the impact that not doing so might have. For example, it may cause them distress if they do not know where you are, or cannot contact you. It can also be a disadvantage to you if you need someone to send you money or act on your behalf while you are detained.

Will the UK Police be informed?

If you are accused of certain serious offences, such as sexual assault or drugs trafficking, we are obliged to share information about your arrest with UK police. It is therefore possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer. There may be other circumstances in which information about you may need to be shared by ourselves or authorities in Kuwait.

Do I need a lawyer? / How can I find a lawyer?

Although we cannot give legal advice, start legal proceedings, or investigate a crime, we can offer very basic information about the local legal system. There is a list of local English-speaking lawyers and interpreters on www.gov.uk . You will want to consider the benefits of local legal representation and to discuss all the costs beforehand with the legal representative. In no circumstances can we pay your legal or interpretation costs.

Can you get me out?

We cannot get you out of prison or detention, nor can we get special treatment for you because you are British. However if you are not treated in line with internationally accepted standards we will consider whether to approach local authorities. This may include if your trial does not follow internationally recognised standards for fair trial or is unreasonably delayed compared to local cases.

Who else can help me?

We can put you, or your family, in touch with Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity which supports British citizens detained overseas and their families.

Chapter 2: Detention conditions in Kuwait

Visits – friends and family

Can my family and friends visit me? How can I arrange a visit?

Only family and lawyers can visit prisoners. Sometimes friends may be allowed in with family members.

Prisoners must inform the prison of the names of their visitors before the visiting day.

Visitors enter the prison itself and whilst visiting they are separated from the prisoner by a mesh barrier. Visitors must identify themselves when they arrive at the prison by showing an identification document containing a photograph (e.g. Civil ID/passport). This is held by the prison and returned at the end of the visit. Visitors will be body searched before entering the prison. Visitors are not allowed to wear watches, jewellery, belts etc. or take in bags/handbags. All bags and parcels will be searched before entry and authorities have the right to withhold items they deem to be unacceptable (e.g. food, weapons, knives, alcohol, drugs). Every prisoner is entitled, subject to good behaviour, to one special visit from family once a month.

What can visitors expect?

The Central Prison allows visitors once every two weeks. The Women’s Prison and Public Prison allow visitors once a week. The day depends on which block the prisoner is in.

Visits take place from about 08:00 until 12:00 noon but a prisoner is allowed no more than three visitors at one time.

What can visitors bring?

Visitors can bring in money. Any other items wishing to be given to a prisoner will have to be discussed with the prison officials.

Visits – Consular staff

A member of the Consular team will aim to visit you once or twice a year depending on the circumstances (for example: prison visits were suspended during 2020 and till late 2021 due to the COVID pandemic). Unless there are reasons to visit more frequently. This is to the discretion of consular staff.

Emergency trips outside of prison

In case of a medical emergency, prison authorities will arrange for the prisoner to receive medical treatment and return to prison.  

Police custody and initial arrival at prison

Arrival at the police station & basic rights

On arrival you will give a statement and then be put in a holding cell. This cell may be crowded. You should be allowed to contact the British Embassy within 24 hours but in reality this often doesn’t happen. Please try to let someone know you are in detention. It is essential that the British Embassy is informed as soon as possible after your arrest. As soon as we are informed, we will do all we can to contact you and will try to visit you within 48 hours of being told that you have been detained.

Initial arrival at the prison

There are three prisons in Kuwait all housed in the same compound:

Central Prison (men only) is high security. Upon entry the hair on your head is usually shaved off.

Central Prison - Women’s Prison. All women, regardless of nationality or religion must wear a hijab (head covering).

Public Prison (Omoomi) (men only) is for financial and traffic cases.

You will be kept in a holding cell until you have had the required medical tests when the results of these are known a decision will be made on where you go. If clear you will be moved to a smaller cell. All three prisons try and group English speakers together.

You may also be detained in the Drug Control, Immigration Directorate, Deportation Centre, Criminal Investigations Department, or other detention centres.

Prison: conditions and daily life

Prison conditions in all of the detention facilities in Kuwait are well below UK standards. Overcrowding can be a problem, you cannot expect a single cell as a matter of course. A mattress and blanket should be provided. Ex-prisoners say that nothing is guaranteed, things can change on a whim, so the advice of more experienced prisoners, plus your own common sense, is essential.

Food and Diet

There is a canteen and communal kitchens. Food is basic, adequate and of Arabic style. Additional food can be bought via the prison shop and cooked in the communal kitchen.

Work and Study

Yes, at the prison manager’s discretion. A salary will be paid to a working prisoner.

Contact and Languages

There is the possibility to request local language materials through the post from Prisoners Abroad (including language textbooks and dictionaries).

Exercise

Outdoor exercise whilst listed for once a day may not happen.

Workshops are well equipped for both men (carpentry, painting etc.) and women (needlework, pottery etc.). Prisoners receive a small salary for their efforts. The prisons hold an annual exhibition, the income from which is used to buy raw materials.

There are English newspapers and TVs if prisoners can afford them but they must be bought from the prison shop. However having expensive items in your cell may attract unwanted attention from other inmates.

Drugs

Drugs use is reported to be prevalent in the Kuwaiti jail system. Special Forces conduct raids to find drugs, these raids can be intimidating and sometimes include random acts of violence. Drugs use within the prison is severely punished.

Prison: access to help and services

How can I receive money?

There are two ways in which you may be able to receive financial assistance while in prison.

  • Private Funds: Deposited to you by your family or friends. See the Annex for instructions on how to send funds.

  • Prisoners Abroad: Depending on where you are detained, if your family can’t support you financially, Prisoners Abroad may be able to send you a small grant every quarter for essentials (enough for one hot meal a day).

The British Government does not provide financial assistance to prisoners.

Private funds

While the FCDO does not provide financial assistance to prisoners, we may be able, within certain limits, to send you money from your family. The Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) operates a “Prison Comfort” system for money transfers to prisoners. Please ask your family to get in touch with the FCDO in order to arrange this. We are unable to receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash.

Family and friends in Kuwait can deposit money with the prison treasury (Amanat) but the prisoner is only entitled up to KD50 every two weeks (a total of KD100 in a month). The money can be used to purchase toiletries, food, electronics, blankets etc from the prison shop.

Prisoners Abroad

In addition, Prisoners Abroad, a UK charity, may be able to assist you with funding for prison essentials and some medical care if you are not in receipt of any regular donations from other sources.

Can I receive medical and dental treatment?

Yes. There is a clinic/small hospital within the prison compound. Serious cases will be referred to Farwaniya Hospital.

With your permission, we can make sure that any medical or dental problems you might have are brought to the attention of any police or prison doctor. We can also liaise with your GP in the UK, if the police or prison doctor requests previous medical records and this is in your vital interests.

Mail/Parcels

Friends and family can send mail (but not parcels) to the Embassy which we deliver to the prison. The Embassy is not able to forward mail on your behalf back to the UK. All letters are opened and checked by Embassy staff on behalf of the prison staff before they are given to prisoners. All letters are censored. Magazines, books and newspapers are permitted, though they will be looked at and may be censored. This procedure means that it may be a couple of weeks before they are actually given to you. Nude pictures are strictly forbidden. Mail cannot be sent directly to the prison from the UK since there is no postal system in the prison. Prisoners are usually allowed to write one letter per month which can be posted by the prison authorities after checking.

Can I make telephone calls?

Prisoners are allowed one telephone call per week and they must request it from the social service office.

Whilst mobile phones are not allowed in prison some prisoners do have them.

The social service team usually lets the Embassy speak to prisoners on the phone.

How can I make a complaint about mistreatment?

If you have been mistreated, please inform Consular staff as soon as it is safe for you to do so. We will then do our best to visit you, to check on your welfare, discuss the allegations, and inform you of any local complaints procedures and supportive organisations that you may wish to consider. With your permission, and where appropriate, we will consider approaching the local authorities if you have not been treated in line with internationally-accepted standards. If you have been mistreated, please try to see a doctor, obtain a medical report and if possible photos of the injuries you received. To complain about mistreatment, you should write a request to the manager for an investigation (social workers at prison can provide information and details). This will then be passed to the general manager who will decide if an investigation is necessary. If approved an official complaint can be filed.

If needed a prison doctor will check and provide medical assistance for any injuries.

Chapter 3: the Kuwaiti judicial system

Overview and first steps

Is the system the same as the UK?

No. Kuwait is a Civil Law jurisdiction based on the Egyptian and French legal and judicial systems. There is no trial by jury and much of the process and decision-making lies with the General Department of Investigation, the public prosecutors and the judge.

The FCDO cannot interfere with the judicial system. We cannot ask for your case to be judged more quickly just because you are British, or ask the authorities to waive any penalties.

What should happen when I am arrested?

If you are arrested, you will be detained at a police station. The investigator will then take a statement and report this to the chief investigator at the General Department of Investigation of the Ministry of Interior. If it is a minor offence which carries a penalty of less than three years imprisonment (“Misdemeanour”), you will then be released; upon release, at the discretion of the investigator, you may be required to pay a bail bond as guarantee of your attendance at court and otherwise as required during the investigation; alternatively, a Kuwaiti national may guarantee your attendance without the requisite payment. If it is a more serious offence, the chief investigator has the right to keep you in detention for a period up to 21 days; at the expiration of this period you will be brought before a judge who may at his/her discretion order your detention for up to a further 15 days (please see further on this immediately below).

Should you have any questions concerning the legal aspects of your arrest, contact your lawyer. A list of local English-speaking lawyers is provided at the end of this pack.

For how long can I be remanded in custody?

A person can be arrested and detained by the police under limited circumstances and for a period not exceeding 24 hours. The public prosecutors depending on the nature of the crime have the right to detain a person for a maximum of 21 days. Any extension to this detention period must be granted by a judge upon the request of prosecutors, however the judge would also hear from the accused, or their legal representative, before deciding if an extension was appropriate. The judge may not extend the detention period for more than 15 (fifteen) days at one time. Each time an extension is requested by the prosecutors the judge will also hear from the defence. The judge will only consider the reasoning behind the requested extension (for example, if your continued detention is beneficial to the investigation or you are a flight risk) and not the merits of the charges against the accused. If the person is in custody a court date will be set as soon as possible to limit the detention time and is usually fixed within the fifty days of detainment, however detention may be extended beyond 6 months if the trial court (i.e. the court which shall hear the case) has approved such an extension. Bail is allowed in all crimes and Misdemeanours (this is unlikely to be granted in murder or drugs cases) subject to the seriousness of the charges and at the discretion of the prosecutors or judge.

What happens when I am charged?

The file will be sent first to the General Department of Investigation of the Ministry of Interior in order for the information regarding the charge(s) against you to be further investigated; this department may require you to be questioned again by the chief investigator if it requires further information. If the General Department of Investigation is satisfied that the information on file is sufficient to support the charge(s) laid the file will be forwarded to the court for a hearing date to be set. The General Department of Investigation may also take the decision to retain the file where it considers there is insufficient evidence against you to support the charge(s). This decision may be appealed by the victim/plaintiff or his heirs within two months of the date of such decision.

In the case of more serious offences the investigation will be conducted by the public prosecution office of the Ministry of Justice.

Your lawyer will make enquiries with the court and inform you of the hearing date. For misdemeanours you are not required to appoint a lawyer; if you decide not to appoint a lawyer you will need to make your own enquiries about the hearing date (you will need to provide your Civil Identification Number and the file number).

The first court appearance will be for the purpose of obtaining a copy of the prosecution file. For a misdemeanour you may appear without a lawyer. If you have appointed a lawyer you may grant the lawyer a power of attorney to appear before the judge on your behalf without you being present. For a more serious offence you must appear with your lawyer (the court will usually appoint a lawyer to represent you).

At the second court appearance the lawyer will enter a plea on your behalf. For a misdemeanour you may represent yourself. The case will begin to be heard if a not guilty plea is entered.

Where a judgment order is made against you, you can instruct your lawyer to sign an appeal against the judgment on your behalf. For misdemeanours, this must be done within 21 days of the order being made; for more serious offences the period allowed for appeal is 30 days.

What provision is there for bail?

For minor offences, bail is available. But the process can be long; and UK ideas of “minor” offences differ from those of Kuwaiti offenses, both in theory and practice. For example, in cases of white-collar crime such as fraud, where bail is relatively easy in the UK, bail may not be possible in Kuwait. The lawyer can apply for you to be released on bail. This will either be a financial or personal bail or both. For personal bails you will need a Kuwaiti guarantor. For serious cases (such as drugs), bail may not be an option and you will be detained in prison until the date of your trial.

The FCDO is not able to facilitate the transfer of bail funds.

Where you are in financial hardship and whether charged with a misdemeanour or a more serious offence you may seek assistance from the Law Society who will appoint a lawyer to represent you and will generally accept your case without proof of such hardship.

For more serious offences the Court will appoint a lawyer to represent you and provide the prosecution file to the lawyer for free; the Ministry of Justice will pay all legal fees incurred.

What happens at the trial?

There is no jury system in Kuwait. Trials are heard by the judge, the court (usually made up of three legal representatives), the secretary of the tribunal (court), the prosecutor, the lawyer, the accused, and the translator/interpreter. It is compulsory that everyone above are present at the court hearing, if not it will be delayed. All documents related to a case and further evidence must be submitted to the president of the court. The trial will be heard in Arabic. The lawyer will ask the judge to provide an interpreter who works for the Ministry of Justice. Consular staff cannot act as interpreters. Consular officers can, in exceptional circumstances, attend court hearings as observers.

Sentences

After the court hearing, a sentence is given by the judge.

How can appeals be made?

The accused has the right to appeal his/her sentence to a higher court through their lawyers. However, the appeal process is very slow (sometimes taking up to a full year) and can lead to delays in finalising a sentence although the process will be quicker where the accused is in prison. It is worth seeking a second opinion before taking the decision to appeal a sentence. Be wary of lawyers who will happily take on a case only to appeal it so they can remain on your pay roll.

Reaching the end of your sentence

What provision is there for reduction of sentence (remission) e.g. for good behaviour?

A prisoner who, during his/her period of incarceration, abides by all prison regulations and displays good behaviour could be proposed for early release by the prison manager, such proposal to be approved by the Attorney General. The sentence could be reduced by as much as one third of the original sentence but a minimum of one year is required to be served. Only a lawyer, the prisoner or the prisoner’s family can apply for the reduction of a sentence.

The Amir of Kuwait has the right to cancel or reduce the sentence in a criminal matter only (i.e., not in civil matters) The application is made to the office of the Attorney General; a committee comprised of officers of the Ministry of Interior and the Attorney General’s office will consider the application and will decide which applications will be forwarded to the Amiri Diwan. The Amiri Diwan will decide at its discretion which prisoners will be included on the list to be approved by the Amir as part of National or Liberation Day pardons.

What about any financial penalties?

Fines handed down by the court must be paid and travel bans stay in place until those fines are paid.

Where a fine is not paid a compulsory execution order for payment may be made. A person may be imprisoned for non-payment for one day for every ten Kuwaiti Dinar owed up to a maximum of six months.

Is transfer to the UK a possibility?

No, there is no prisoner exchange agreement between the UK and Kuwait.

What are the procedures for release and deportation?

For most offences carrying a custodial sentence, deportation is automatic after completion of the prison term. If a sentence is followed by deportation, the prisoner will be taken to the Deportation Centre in Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh. The prisoner’s sponsor is responsible for the provision of the ticket home. However, some of the sponsors deliberately delay purchasing and bringing the ticket to the Deportation Centre until a family member, friend or other third party purchases one. A ticket must be issued to the country of origin (UK).

Deportation may be ordered by the judge (judicial deportation) or by the Ministry of Interior (administrative deportation); only in cases where the Ministry of Interior has ordered the deportation may it be appealed on humanitarian or similar grounds.

Sometimes people find that they face difficulties adjusting to life in the UK once they have left prison. You may find yourself ready for life on the outside but not prepared for living in the UK. Possibly you have never lived in the UK and have no connections there, or perhaps you have lost touch with friends and family. You may simply want to talk to another person who understands what you have been through, to help you consider what to do next. If you are registered with Prisoners Abroad you can visit Prisoners Abroad when you first arrive back in UK for advice, to take a shower, use their temporary luggage store, make essential phone calls or use a computer. If you have no belongings Prisoners Abroad may be able to help with basic toiletries and finding suitable clothing. If you know your release date in advance it is best to write and tell your caseworker when you are likely to arrive and what help you think you might need. If you have no money and nowhere to go, Prisoners Abroad’s Aftercare Service can help with:

  • advice on finding emergency accommodation in the London area

  • claiming welfare benefits, including emergency benefit payments if you are destitute

  • making appointments with doctors and dentists

  • putting you in touch with local agencies if you are not returning to the London area.

Later on you may want advice on housing, looking for work, applying for training or getting counselling. Prisoners Abroad can refer you to the right agency.

Other sources of practical help back in the UK are The Salvation Army – UK Helpline 020 7367 4888, Monday to Friday 8 AM to 4 PM, or contact your local Salvation Army branch – and The Prison Fellowship, UK Helpline 020 7799 2500, Monday to Friday 9 AM to 5 PM.

Would I have a criminal record in the UK?

We will not normally pass on information about your case to a third party without your consent. However, if you’re arrested for certain serious offences, such as child sex abuse or drugs crimes, our staff must tell other relevant UK authorities. It is therefore possible that information about this may appear if a Criminal Records Bureau check were carried out by a prospective employer.

Chapter 4: Additional Information

Prisoners Abroad

Since 1978 the charity Prisoners Abroad has offered practical support and advice to British citizens imprisoned overseas. It is the only UK charity providing this service and it is available to all, whether guilty or innocent, convicted or awaiting charge or trial. Prisoners Abroad is concerned with your health and welfare, both during your imprisonment and also on your return to the UK, through their resettlement service (if you have registered whilst in prison). They can also provide support and advice to your family during your imprisonment. In order to access any services, prisoners must first register with Prisoners Abroad by signing and returning their authorisation form. Once you seek help from Prisoners Abroad, the Prisoner & Family Support Service will be your point of contact for advice and information. The type of assistance they can offer will vary from country to country, but generally they can provide you with information, in English, on:

  • your rights as a prisoner and issues that may affect you such as health or transfer to the UK

  • obtaining magazines, newspapers, books and the regular Prisoners Abroad newsletter

  • learning the language of your country of imprisonment

  • translation of documents

  • grants for food if you are in a developing country and don’t have funds from other sources

  • grants for essential medicines and toiletries if you don’t have funds from other sources

  • preparing for release

  • help for your loved ones, including information, family support groups and, in a few cases, assistance with the cost of visiting


Prisoners Abroad
89 – 93 Fonthill Road
London N4 3JH
UK

Telephone: 00 44 (0)20 7561 6820 or, for your relatives in the UK, Freephone: 0808 172 0098

(Mondays and Tuesdays 9.30 am to 6pm, and Wednesdays to Fridays 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, UK time)

Email: info@prisonersabroad.org.uk Website: Prisoners Abroad

Glossary of Terms

Key phrases – English into Arabic

Useful English/Arabic words.

English Arabic
Amnesty Afou
Appeal Istiinaf
Application form Talab
Bathroom Hammaam
Blanket Battaniya
Blood test Fahs dam
Book Kitaab
Case Kadiya
Case Number Rakam al Kadiya
Central Prison Al Sejin Al Markazi
Clinic Eyadda
Complaint Shakwa
Court Mahkama
Deportation Iba’ad
Deposit Amanat
Doctor Tabeeb
Embassy Safara
Federal Supreme Court AlMahkama Al-Itihadiya
Food Ta-Aam
Guilty Mouznib
Hearing Session Jalsat Istimaa
Indictment AlTouhma
Innocent Barei
Interpreter Moutarjem
Jail Sejin
Judgement Mouhakama
Lawyer Mouhami
Library Maktaba
Money Feloss
No Problem Ma fi Moushkila
Notary Kateb Aadel
Plaintiff Al Moudaii
Police Shurta
Power of Attorney Wakala
Prison Director Mudir Al Sejin
Prison Rules Kanoun Al-Sejin
Problem Mushkila
Prosecutor Niyaba
Release Efraj
Security Amn
Sentence Al Hokom
Sharia’a Court Al Mahkama Al Shariaa
Sick Mareed
Soap Saboon
Telephone call Moukalamat telephone
The Accused Al Mutaham
To buy Ashtary
Tomorrow Boukra
Visit Zieyara
Ward number Rakam Al Anbar
Water Maa
Witness Shahed

Neither HMG nor any official of the Embassy take any responsibility for the information contained herein nor in relation to the use of any of the listed providers of services.

Annex

FCDO leaflet: Support for British Nationals Abroad: Summary

List of English-Speaking Lawyers

List of Private Translators/Interpreters

Prisoners Abroad Forms

Prisoners Abroad Authorisation Form

Prisoners Abroad Family Contact Form

Reprieve/Death Penalty Project information will be provided for death penalty cases only

Financial Assistance – how to send Money to the FCDO

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office operates a service which allows you to pay funds to us in the UK which we will pay out in local currency to the above overseas. The various ways you can pay us are detailed below.

Under the Consular Fees Amendment Order 2016, we are obliged to charge for this service. The fee is dependent on the amount that you wish to transfer as follows:

Amount being sent Fee
£0.01 - £99.99 £10
£100 - £499.99 £25
£500 and above £50

When forwarding funds, you should add the above fee to the amount that you wish to transfer. For example, if you want the recipient to receive £50, you will need to send us £60 (£50 to give to the recipient plus £10 fee). We retain the right to further deduct any local overseas charges we may incur in passing the fees to the recipient. Should we be unable to pay the funds locally to the recipient, our policy is to refund amounts above £5 to the depositor by bank transfer. In this case, we would contact you for your bank details. Refunds may take several weeks as our internal processes can only start once all relevant costs have been cleared with local authorities.

Options to transfer funds to British Nationals Overseas via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Please note that we can only advance funds to the person overseas once your payment has cleared in our account.

Please note that we can only advance funds to the person overseas once your payment has cleared in our account.

  1. Electronic bank transfers

Payment by electronic/internet bank transfer can be made either using online or telephone banking, or at your local bank or building society. For all bank transfers, you will need to include the following details:

Bank: National Westminster Bank
Account Name: FCDO Multi Vote
Sort Code: 60-70-80
Account Number: 10012362
Reference: FCDO case reference number (which can be found at the top of this letter), surname and first name of the person you are sending the funds for, plus country name if possible, e.g.: 11-THB-123456 SMITH JOE - THAILAND
IBAN GB56NWBK60708010012362
SWIFT/BIC NWBKGB2L

  You may also need our bank address which is: National Westminster Bank, Government Banking, CST PO Box 2027, Parkland, De Havilland Way, Horwich, Bolton, BL6 4YU.

  1. By Post

Payments by Postal Order, Bankers Draft, Building Society Cheque or personal cheque should be crossed and made payable to “The Foreign and Commonwealth Office”. They should be sent to: Accounts Receivable Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Corporate Service Centre PO Box 6108 Milton Keynes MK10 1PX

We recommend that you use Special Delivery. Please ensure that you include a note briefly explaining who the money is for, why you are sending these funds and quoting the COMPASS/CASEBOOK reference number. You may wish to use the payment slip as provided further in Annex 1. If you would like a receipt, please include a stamped addressed envelope. Please note that it can take approximately 15 days for personal cheques to clear and for payment to be received. Please write the cheque guarantee number and expiry date, and the COMPASS reference number, on the back of the cheque.

We are unable to receive payment by credit or debit card, or by cash. 

PAYMENT SLIP To: Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

CASEBOOK reference number:

Date:

Please find enclosed funds for:

Full Name:

Country/place the above is in:

Amount enclosed:

Fee to be deducted:

Payment method:

My name is:

My address is: