| It's something most of us don't give a second | | | | There is only one ambassador based in the |
| thought to - until we get into trouble overseas | | | | embassy in the capital city of a host country, |
| and need help. So, who do you call? A Consulate, | | | | whereas there are many consuls to cover major |
| the Embassy, or High Commission? The following | | | | cities. For example, in the United States the British |
| is intended as an unofficial and brief explanation | | | | Embassy is located in Washington, D.C. with |
| only: | | | | consulates in major cities. |
| Consulate | | | | An Ambassador is a representative of the head |
| Consulates are like mini embassies or branches of | | | | of state and government of their country. The |
| embassies. They are found in major tourist cities | | | | ambassador deals directly with the ambassador |
| of the world or areas with large expatriate | | | | for the head of state of the host country (for |
| populations. Consulates issue visas, passports and | | | | example the Ambassador to H.M. The Queen and |
| emergency documents. They also perform notary | | | | the Ambassador to the President of the United |
| functions, register births and deaths and handle | | | | States). Ambassadors are responsible for |
| serious matters such as forced marriages and | | | | overseeing the work of the embassy and its |
| child abductions. Consulates assist nationals | | | | consulates. An ambassador also presents and |
| imprisoned abroad and victims of crime. They also | | | | explains political policies and views to the host |
| help in cases of serious illness while travelling or | | | | country and similarly reports back to the home |
| death of relatives abroad. They are the first point | | | | country. Other duties include security issues, |
| of contact when passports are lost or stolen or | | | | commercial, economic, media, and diplomatic |
| any other serious problem is experienced when | | | | relations and interests. Some countries do not |
| living or travelling abroad. Their main function is to | | | | have an embassy for politically-sensitive reasons, |
| assist people; they do not normally get involved in | | | | but have a consulate to help resident expatriates |
| country-to-country relations (which is the main | | | | and travellers. |
| role and function of the ambassador and | | | | High Commission |
| embassy). Smaller cities and towns may have an | | | | In Commonwealth countries, where the British |
| 'honorary consulate' which is a smaller version of a | | | | Monarch is Head of State, an embassy is known |
| consulate. | | | | as a High Commission and performs the same |
| A consulate establishes a presence in a foreign | | | | functions as an embassy. For example, there are |
| country mainly to assist expatriates and travellers | | | | High Commissions located in Toronto, Canada; |
| and to some degree to promote and enhance | | | | Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia, and |
| friendly relations between the countries with | | | | Pretoria, South Africa. The appointed diplomats in |
| regard to trade, investment, and the import and | | | | charge are known as High Commissioners. High |
| export of services between countries. | | | | Commissions are located in capital cities and, just |
| Consuls are appointed as official representatives | | | | as with embassies, are supported by consulates in |
| of their government (whereas there is only one | | | | major cities. |
| Ambassador for each country, representing the | | | | Expatriates and travellers should never contact |
| head of state). There may be several consuls | | | | any of the above offices unless it is a very |
| appointed to a country, performing different roles, | | | | important matter (such as a lost or stolen |
| with a different consul in charge of consulates | | | | passport) or a real emergency. Just as it is |
| located in major cities. A consulate is also | | | | inappropriate to contact emergency services with |
| sometimes part of the embassy in the capital city | | | | time-wasting calls about noisy neighbours and |
| of a country. | | | | dogs, consulates and embassies should never be |
| A high-ranking consul is known as a consul-general. | | | | contacted over trivial matters like lost sunglasses, |
| A consul-general will have deputy consuls-general, | | | | weather reports, missed flights, or assistance with |
| vice-consuls, or agents working to assist them. In | | | | paying bills! Travellers are expected to take out |
| a large country such as the U.S. there is a | | | | travel insurance to cover travel mishaps such as |
| consul-general in many major cities, such as New | | | | lost and stolen property and payment of |
| York, Los Angeles and Chicago. | | | | emergency medical expenses. Although you need |
| Embassy | | | | to contact a Consulate to replace a lost or stolen |
| An embassy could be looked upon as the 'head | | | | passport, travel insurance will normally cover the |
| office' whereas consulates are the branch offices. | | | | cost for replacement. |