Repatriation

Repatriation refers to the process of sending an item, commodity, asset, or individual from a foreign nation to a homeland. The process process applies to anyone returning from a foreign country to their origin. It also includes the conversion of foreign currency into domestic currency.

Under the repatriation process, an individual residing in a foreign country can go back voluntarily or even be forced out of a nation. The homeland is responsible for the transport of its citizens. This process applies to refugees, deportees, and foreign nationals as well. In the U.S., citizens must pay a repatriation tax - the transition cost of converting money earned overseas into US dollars.

• Repatriation is the procedure through which the government brings an individual residing in a foreign country home. For example, the individual could be living in a foreign nation for business, work, education, medical condition, etc.
• In addition to individuals, this process extends to business transactions, financial investments, and international trips.
• The modern international law of repatriation states that every Prisoner of War (POW), refugee, or displaced person is entitled to the basic human right of returning to their homeland.

The term ‘repatriation’ refers to the re-entry of expatriates into their home country. Expatriates are individuals who went overseas for work, business, education, job, or on a travel visa. It includes refugees, deportees, and foreign nationals.

The term also applies to the conversion of foreign currencies into domestic currency. This process is integral to business operations — in financial investments, portfolio management, expansion, monetary transactions, etc. In addition, companies use the conversion rate for the repatriation of profits. For example, in the U.S., citizens pay a transition tax to convert money earned overseas into US dollars.

When a person, or a group from the same country, gets stuck in a foreign country, they can be sent back voluntarily or forcefully. In addition, if a person dies in a foreign country, the repatriation of remains is initiated to bring the body back home.

This process applies to almost everything—commodity, goods, assets, tangible assets, and movable property. For example, if a country returns a piece of art, painting, structure, or jewelry looted from other countries, it is called repatriation art.

The modern international law of repatriation states that every Prisoner of War (POW), refugee, or displaced person is entitled to this basic human right—to return to their home country. Repatriating such individuals is the responsibility of both governments.

Repatriation costs (associated with the process) are generally paid by the person making the journey. In most cases, the process is overseen by the government.

Let us look at some repatriation examples to understand the process:

Example #1

Mike, an Indian by birth, has been living in the U.S. for quite some time. First, Mahesh entered the country on a student visa. Then, during the COVID-19 pandemic, he got stuck in the U.S.

Fortunately, Mike finds a community of Indian people facing the same issue. Soon the group of Indians reaches the Indian embassy and contacts the officials. In response, the government of India organized a repatriation flight for the group stuck abroad.

Upon arrival, Mike is subject to a standard scan—for viruses and contagious diseases as a precautionary check.

This is the course of action for repatriated individuals. It is a common procedure occurring in various countries. For example, when the Taliban invaded Afghanistan, different countries organized flights to bring the citizens back home. In the 2022 Russia and Ukraine war, the Indian government planned many flights to bring back Indian students. Upon arrival, if repatriates try to convert foreign currency into domestic currency, the process is called 'repatriation of funds.’

Example #2

In 2022, Bangladesh sought help from the European Union (EU). First, Bangladesh requested the EU to repatriate the Rohingya community back to the Rakhine state. Second, Bangladesh wanted the EU to pressure Myanmar to relocate the community.

Meanwhile, countries like Japan, the UK, Korea, the US, and France were investing heavily in Myanmar.

The Foreign minister of Bangladesh raised the Rohingya repatriation issue, which had been neglected for five years. The minister highlighted the need for the EU to take action, without which the political stability of Bangladesh, Myanmar, and other nearby regions will be under threat.

This article has been a guide to Repatriation and its meaning. Here, we explain the repatriation of funds, profits, insurance, and examples. You can learn more about it from the following articles -

• Foreign Exchange
• Foreign Exchange Market
• National Currency