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The U.S. Repatriation Program supports eligible U.S. citizens and their dependents returned by the U.S. Department of State from a foreign country without available resources and provides them temporary assistance upon arrival to the United States in the form of a loan.

Eligibility is determined as follows:

• The person must be a U.S. citizen or a dependent of a U.S. citizen;
• The person must be identified by the U.S. Department of State as returning to the United States from a foreign country because of destitution, illness, war, threat of war, invasion, or similar crisis; and
• The person must be without resources immediately accessible to meet their needs.

For purposes of the Program, a repatriate is an individual who OHSEPR determines eligible for temporary assistance per 42 U.S.C. 1313 or 24 U.S.C. 321(d) and the implementing regulations, particularly 45 CFR § 212.3 (eligible person).

Routine Repatriates who apply and are qualified for the U.S. Repatriation Program are provided with temporary assistance upon signing Form RR-05: Repatriation Privacy and Repayment Agreement.

Emergency Repatriates who apply and are qualified for the U.S. Repatriation Program are provided with temporary assistance upon signing both Form RR-01 Emergency Repatriation Eligibility Application and Form RR-05: Repatriation Privacy and Repayment Agreement.

Repatriates coordinate with the U.S. Department of State about their state of final destination.

States often receive little notice about Routine Repatriation and may have hours or days for Emergency Repatriation. States are encouraged to maintain a current National Emergency Repatriation Framework (NERF).

OHSEPR developed the National Emergency Repatriation Framework (PDF) (NERF) to enhance coordination during emergency repatriation operations that support the return of large numbers of U.S. citizens and their dependents after they are returned to the United States by the Department of State.

The NERF incorporates the guiding principles of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to ensure flexibility, standardization, and unity of effort. It also enhances coordination during emergency repatriation operations.

OHSEPR regularly reviews and evaluates this guidance to ensure consistency and alignment with existing and best practices in emergency preparedness and response.

To be eligible for this Program, applicants must be a U.S. citizen, or a dependent of a U.S. citizen who qualifies for assistance.

Eligible U.S. citizens may include dependents on their repatriation loan.

Repatriates may apply for a loan waiver or deferral by submitting Form RR-03: Loan Waiver and Deferral Application. Repatriates are encouraged to work directly with their case manager to ensure forms are filled out properly and that any necessary supporting documentation is included.