Table 1.

Comparison of financial assistance offered to citizens abroad in six countries as of June 2021

Country	Financial assistance	Finance Type (Loan/Grant)	Who can apply?	Repayments
Australia	1. Loan that covers living costs until a flight becomes available 2. If currently receiving Pension payments, or for children under 18, a grant is available for both emergency living expenses and an airline ticket 3. Loan that covers part of the flight ticket costs	Loans and Grants	• Those who have been unable to return to Australia due to travel restrictions who are feeling financial distress • Those who want to return rapidly for medical reasons (with proof of medical condition provided) • Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident whose application is completed by an Australian citizen • Must provide evidence to confirm that financial support was not available elsewhere including Bank/credit card statements, travel agent, employer (proof of termination or lack of leave payments), local social security services, a pension from overseas, insurance company (letter confirming they will not pay), and family and friends	All loans must be repaid within 6 months of arrival, or a payment plan being initiated within 6 months
Canada	1. The COVID-19 Emergency Loan Program of up to $5000	Loan	• For Canadian citizens or permanent residence of Canada who have been unable to return or find suitable accommodation whilst awaiting return • Must prove that other sources of financial assistance have been attempted, including banks and credit cards, and possible transfers from family and friends	Must be repaid within 180 days from the date on the invoice
France	1. Government funded Charities—Local Associations of assistance and solidarity (Organismes locaux d’entraide et de solidarité) 2. Fixed-term social allowance (Allocation à durée déterminée, ADD) 3. Child-specific scheme (Secours mensuels spécifiques enfants)—one-time payment 4. Occasional aids (Secours occasionnels)—covers expenses to citizens facing exceptional circumstances 5. COVID-19 Social Assistance System for those affected by economic crisis due to COVID-19 abroad (SOS)—up to 259 Euros per month	Financial Aid and Cash benefits	• For French citizens abroad facing financial hardships • To claim SOS, French citizens must be abroad and registered under ‘French people living outside France’ and can prove a recent loss of income or if they are in an emergency	Does not appear to need to be repaid
UK	1. FCDO Emergency loan for repatriation to the UK—usually to cover a ticket	Loan	• Must prove that other sources of financial assistance have been attempted, including from travel insurance companies, banks and credit cards, charities (e.g. Turn2Us), fundraising, employers and possible transfers from family and friends • Only as a last resort in case of destitution • Must be a British citizen of have lived in the UK for at least 5 years normally	All loans must be repaid within 6 months
USA	1. Limited medical assistance loans in case of an emergency 2. Consular officer can help apply for loans to cover emergency accommodation and other essential expenses	Loan	• For U.S citizens and qualified dependents • Must have attempted at the first instance to access financial support from friends and family, banks or employer	Must be repaid

COVID-19 novel coronavirus disease; FCDO Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office; UK United Kingdom; USA Unites States of America