CRI (Consular Remote Identity) is a sovereign identity register that an African state operates for its own citizens living abroad. Issued by the home state (the mission), carried by the citizen, and funded by the citizen.
It is grounded in the Vienna Convention authority to register a state's own nationals anywhere in the world. It is not a host-state immigration system, not a commercial digital ID, and not a domestic national ID — it is a consular instrument.
Missions often lack a reliable, current register of their nationals abroad. CRI delivers a living register with a funded route home, and mission-owned real numbers rather than invented ones.
What it delivers
Protection
A funded route home — deceased repatriation, involuntary return, and a voluntary return endowment.
Capacity
A ring-fenced fee to the mission for welfare and repatriation capability.
Stewardship
Continuous connection so the mission can support citizens who need help with stability and papers.
Measurement
Voluntary, mission-owned statistical aggregates published under the Consular Data Compact.
“CRI gives a home state a living register of its citizens abroad, a funded way home, continuous consular connection, and real numbers — issued by the country, carried by the citizen, counted with dignity.”
Application link to follow.