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FCO offers British expats and their visitors help via Twitter
| Published: | 26 Jul at 6 PM |
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Britain’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is offering a new service aimed at directing expats and their visitors to help centers and consulates via the popular social media site, Twitter.
Advice will include the use of the new technology in staying safe in unfamiliar locations and the best ways to avoid excessive internet and mobile roaming charges. The FCO expects to be able to assist expats living overseas as well as their families and friends who’ve arrived for a visit.
The new Twitter service, according to an FCO spokesperson, will extend to passport and visa advice, travel safety and a reporting service for when things go seriously wrong. Staffed by dedicated consular and travel advice staff, it will be accessible online between 09:00 and 18:00 on weekdays, and the service will aim to be able to respond within half an hour.
Outside of the above times, emergencies can be reported to the site, and will be answered as quickly as possible. Other queries entered on weekends or evenings will be dealt with the following morning, and enquiries involving personal issues and information will be transferred offline.
Mobile roaming charges have hit the headlines recently and, since July, calls by travellers in EU member states are capped at far lower charges for calls made and calls received. Internet data roaming charges are also due to be capped, with further reductions expected next year.
Advice will include the use of the new technology in staying safe in unfamiliar locations and the best ways to avoid excessive internet and mobile roaming charges. The FCO expects to be able to assist expats living overseas as well as their families and friends who’ve arrived for a visit.
The new Twitter service, according to an FCO spokesperson, will extend to passport and visa advice, travel safety and a reporting service for when things go seriously wrong. Staffed by dedicated consular and travel advice staff, it will be accessible online between 09:00 and 18:00 on weekdays, and the service will aim to be able to respond within half an hour.
Outside of the above times, emergencies can be reported to the site, and will be answered as quickly as possible. Other queries entered on weekends or evenings will be dealt with the following morning, and enquiries involving personal issues and information will be transferred offline.
Mobile roaming charges have hit the headlines recently and, since July, calls by travellers in EU member states are capped at far lower charges for calls made and calls received. Internet data roaming charges are also due to be capped, with further reductions expected next year.
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