Your Trustworthy Guide to Schengen Visa Consulates

If you're planning a trip to Europe, you might need a Schengen visa. The Schengen area comprises 29 European countries, and travelers can move freely across their borders without having to pass through customs or border control. 

While applying for a Schengen visa can seem stressful, we’re here to help you understand the process – such as the role that embassies and consulates play.

What is the difference between a consulate and an embassy?

Embassies are the main diplomatic representation of a country within a foreign country. For example, the French Embassy in the United States is located in Washington DC. The Embassy is the primary place of representation and the mission is overseen by an Ambassador. 

In large countries, there may need to be additional representation throughout the country. When this is the case, a country can add additional offices – which are called consulates. These consulates follow the lead of the embassy and are overseen by a Consul General (under the direction of the official Ambassador). 

When it comes to what they do, the embassy is focused on several tasks including diplomatic relations, representing their country, negotiating agreements, and more.

Consulates typically offer direct support to the embassy, as well as handle more procedural operations, such as issuing visas or other administrative duties. 

In fact, embassies typically have a consular section in their offices, specifically for facilitating these more administrative or citizen-oriented tasks.

Where do you apply for a Schengen visa?

Embassies (the consular section) and consulates grant Schengen visas, but whether or not you apply for them at an Embassy or consulate depends largely on your location. In most cases, you need to apply for a Schengen visa at a visa application center. 

Visa centers are trusted partnering organizations that work closely with governments and embassies to streamline the visa application process...but what does this mean for applicants? 

When applying for a Schengen visa, you will likely apply through one of these partners (such as VFS Global, TLS Contact, and others).

They facilitate the application process from start to finish, and then forward your application for approval or denial. Visa centers have no power or influence as to whether your visa application is approved or denied. Only the embassy/consulate can make this decision.

The visa processor will: 

• Provide you with a list of visa requirements.
• Answer questions about the application process.
• Facilitate a (mandatory) appointment at their location of operation in your country of residence.
• Collect your biometrics (fingerprints).
• Forward your visa application to the consulate/embassy for decision-making. 

While these organizations handle the “first mile” of the visa application process, visa centers do not grant visas, nor do they have any influence over the outcome. Only embassies can decide whether or not your visa application is approved. 

Note: Some countries may not have authorized visa application centers. In this case, applicants from these countries should apply directly through a consulate or embassy. Additionally, for some specific types of visas or scenarios, applicants may need to apply directly at a consulate. Both of these scenarios are uncommon, but possible.

Do I have to go to an embassy or consulate to apply for a Schengen visa?

In most cases, you must apply for a Schengen visa at a trusted visa application center. While uncommon, some countries may not have visa application centers. In this case, you would apply directly through a consulate or embassy's consular section.

What is a Schengen consulate?

A Schengen consulate is a diplomatic mission for a Schengen country in a foreign country. There are 29 Schengen countries (including France, Italy, Spain, and more) and consulates can be found around the globe. These consulates directly support the primary mission (the embassy) in the foreign country. 

Schengen consulates and embassies decide whether or not Schengen visas are approved or denied, among many other things.

Schengen visa consulates near me

If you’re searching for visa consulates near you, you may actually be looking for visa centers near you. In most cases, you need to apply for a Schengen visa through a visa center, not a consulate. 

Where are Schengen consulates located? 

Schengen consulates and embassies are positioned all over the world. You can find the one closest to you here, or look below for consulate, honorary consulate, and embassy locations in the US, UK, and Canada. 

Keep in mind that consulates/honorary consulates may not all provide the same services. Additionally, if you’re hoping to apply for a Schengen visa, it's likely you need to apply through a trusted visa application center in your country of residence.

Belgium consulate near me

Belgium consulates in the US

Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbia, Dallas, Denver, Greenwich, Honolulu, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Louisville, Miami, Milwaukee, Moline, Morrisville, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), and Saint Louis.

Belgium consulates in the UK

Bristol, Dover, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Kingston-upon-Hull, London, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Belgium consulates in Canada

Edmonton, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Bulgarian consulate near me

Bulgaria is one of the newest members of the Schengen area and you can find information related to consular services here.

Croatian consulate near me

Croatian consulates in the US

Anchorage, Chicago, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, Pittsburgh, Seattle, and Washington DC.

Croatian consulates in the UK

Edinburgh and London.

Croatian consulates in Canada

Ottawa, Mississauga, and Vancouver.

Czech consulate near me

Czech consulates in the US

Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Boulder, Charlotte, Chicago, Clarence, Honolulu, Houston, Jenkintown, Kansas City, Kenner, Las Vegas, Lincoln, Little Rock, Livingston, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Saint Paul, San Francisco, San Juan, Seattle, and Washington DC. 

Czech consulates in the UK

Edinburgh, Gibraltar, London, Manchester, Newtownards, and Peterborough.

Czech consulates in Canada

Calgary, Charlottetown, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Regina, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg.

Danish consulate near me

Danish consulates in the US

Anchorage, Charleston, Christiansted, Cleveland, Dallas, Minneapolis, Des Moines, Denver, Detroit, Hamilton, Honolulu, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New Orleans, Macon/Atlanta, Nashville, Virginia Beach/Norfolk, Omaha, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland (OR), Salt Lake City, San Diego, Sacramento, San Juan, Seattle, St. John’s, and Tampa. 

Danish consulates in the UK 

Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dover, Edinburgh-Leith, Gibraltar, Hull, Liverpool, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Portsmouth, Southampton, Stornoway, and Wick.

Danish consulates in Canada

Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax (Dartmouth), Iqaluit, Montreal, St. John's, Vancouver and Winnipeg.

Estonian consulate near me

Estonian consulates in the US

Atlanta, Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, Crystal River, Dallas, Denver, Hickory, Houston, Lafayette, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Portland (OR), San Diego, and Seattle.

Estonian consulates in the UK

Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardross, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Jersey, Leeds, and Liverpool.

Estonian consulates in Canada

Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Finland consulate near me

Finland consulates in the US

Anchorage, Atlanta, Baltimore, Birmingham, Bismarck, Boston, Chandler, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fayetteville, Hancock, Hartford, Henderson, Honolulu, Houston, Lake Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New Orleans, Newark, Norfolk, Orem, Philadelphia, Portland (OR), San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Virginia (MN), and Washington DC. 

Finland consulates in the UK

Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Dover, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Immingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth, and Sheffield.

Finland consulates in Canada

Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Saint Joon, Saskatoon, Salt Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. 

French consulate near me

French consulates in the US

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC.

French consulates in the UK

Edinburgh and London.

French consulates in Canada

Ottawa, Moncton, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver.

German consulate near me

German consulates in the US

Albuquerque, Anchorage, Atlanta, Austin, Birmingham, Boston, Buffalo, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Jackson, Las Vegas, Leawood, Little Rock, Los Angeles, Nashville, New HAven, New Orleans, Norfolk, O’Fallon, Oklahoma City, Omaha, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Portland (ME), Portland (OR), Salt Lake City, San Diego, Scottsdale, Seattle, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. 

German consulates in the UK

Aberdeen, Barrow-upon-Humber, Bristol, British Virgin Islands, Cardiff, Canterbury, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Guernsey, Hamilton, Jersey, Leeds, Lerwick (Shetland), Liverpool, London, Londonderry/Derry, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Plymouth, and Southampton.

German consulates in Canada

Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Saskatchewan, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Greece consulate near me

Greece consulates in the US

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Tampa, and Washington DC.

Greece consulates in the UK

Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Leeds, London, and Manchester.

Greece consulates in Canada

Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

Hungary consulate near me

Hungary consulates in the US

Atlanta, Buffalo, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Daytona Beach, Denver, Hamden, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Mayaguez, New York, Philadelphia, Sacramento, Saint Louis Park, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Sarasota, Seattle, and Washington DC. 

Hungary consulates in the UK

Cardiff, Coleraine, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Sheringham, and Torquay.

Hungary consulates in Canada

Calgary, Edmonton, Hammonds Plains, Montreal, Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. 

Iceland consulate near me

Iceland consulates in the US

Anchorage, Atlanta, Birmingham, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit/Grosse Point Farms, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami/Pompano Beach, New Orleans, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland (ME), Saint Paul, San Francisco, San Juan, Seattle, Youngstown, and Washington DC. 

Iceland consulates in the UK

Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Cardiff, Dover, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Grimsby, Hull, Liverpool, London, Manchester, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. 

Iceland consulates in Canada

Calgary, Charlottetown, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Regina, St John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. 

Italian consulate near me

Italy consulates in the US

Atlanta, Boston, Charleston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Clifton, Dallas, Denver, Fresno, Hartford, Hattiesburg, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Orlando, Kansas City, Las Vegas, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Rochester, Saint Louis, Saint Paul, Santa Fe, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Springfield (MA).

Italy consulates in the UK

Aberdeen, Ashford, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Chestnut, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Guernsey, Hamilton, Jersey, London, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Peterborough, and Woking. 

Italy consulates in Canada

Calgary, Halifax, Hamilton, Montreal, Niagara Falls, Quebec, Thunderbay, Toronto, Sarnia, Sudbury, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Latvian consulate near me

Latvian consulates in the US

The Latvian embassy is in Washington DC. 

Latvian consulates in the UK

The Latvian embassy is in London. 

Latvian consulates in Canada

The Latvian embassy is in Ottawa.

Liechtenstein consulate near me

Swiss consulates and embassies generally represent Liechtenstein abroad. See more information here.

Lithuanian consulate near me

Lithuanian consulates in the US

Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington DC. 

Lithuanian consulates in the UK

London.

Lithuanian consulates in Canada

Ottawa.

Malta consulate near me

Malta consulates in the US

Auburn, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Portland (OR), Philadelphia, Duvall, San Juan, Miami, and Washington DC.

Malta consulates in the UK

Edinburgh and London.

Malta consulates in Canada

Toronto.

Norwegian consulate near me

Norwegian consulates in the US

Anchorage, Atlanta, Aurora, Boston, Detroit, Charleston, Coral Gables, Chicago, Dallas, Everett, Honolulu, Fargo, Fountain Hills, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Minneapolis, Mobile, New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Park City, Philadelphia, San Juan, Sioux Falls, Urbandale, and Washington DC.

Norwegian consulates in the UK

Aberdeen, Belfast, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Kirkwall, London, and Manchester.

Norwegian consulates in Canada

Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Quebec, Regina, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. 

Dutch consulate near me

Dutch consulates in the US

Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. 

Dutch consulates in the UK

London.

Dutch consulates in Canada

Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Poland consulate near me

Poland consulates in the US

Anchorage, Atlanta, Baltimore, Charlottesville, Chicago, Denver, Detroit, Honolulu, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Newark, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Raleigh, Saint Louis, San Francisco, Santa Fe, Seattle, and Washington DC. 

Poland consulates in the UK

Cardiff, Cowes, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Hull, Inverness, London, Manchester, Newry, St. Helier, and Trowbridge.

Poland consulates in Canada

Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Portugal consulate near me

Portugal consulates in the US

Chicago, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, San Diego, San Juan, Tulare, Phoenix, Washington DC, and Waterbury-Naugtuck.

Portugal consulates in the UK

Manchester and London. 

Portugal consulates in Canada

Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Winnipeg.

Romania consulate near me

Romania consulates in the US

Albuquerque, Atlanta, Boston, Cape Coral, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Hartford, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Long Valley, Minneapolis, Miami, New York, Norman, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, and Seattle. 

Romania consulates in the UK

Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Inverness, Leeds, London, Manchester, Morpeth-Newcastle, Swansea, Surrey, and Winchester.

Romania consulates in Canada

Calgary, Dieppe, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Slovakia consulate near me

Slovakia consulates in the US

New York and Washington DC. 

Slovakia consulates in the UK

London.

Slovakia consulates in Canada

Ottawa.

Slovenia consulate near me

Slovenia consulates in the US

Cleveland and Washington DC

Slovenia consulates in the UK

London.

Slovenia consulates in Canada

Ottawa. 

Spain consulate near me

Spain consulates in the US

Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. 

Spain consulates in the UK

Edinburgh, London, and Manchester.

Spain consulates in Canada

Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.

Sweden consulate near me

Sweden consulates in the US

Anchorage, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Fort Lauderdale & Miami, Honolulu, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Raleigh, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Seattle, St Louis, and Washington DC.

Sweden consulates in the UK

Belfast, Brighton, Cardiff, Dover, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Immingham, London, St. Helier, and Manchester.

Sweden consulates in Canada

Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Switzerland consulate near me

Switzerland consulates in the US

Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Mill, Hamilton, Honolulu, Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Saint Paul, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, San Juan, Seattle, and Washington DC. 

Switzerland consulates in the UK

Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Hamilton, Manchester, London, and West Bay.

Switzerland consulates in Canada

Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Nassau, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Embassies and Consulates: Key Takeaways 

• Embassies are the primary representation of a nation within a foreign country. Consulates are “branches” of the embassy throughout the same country.
• In most cases, Schengen visas are obtained through visa centers (such as through VFS Global, TLS Contact, etc.).
• Visa processors do not grant visas and have no influence over the outcome; they only facilitate the application process.
• Only consulates and embassies issue visas by deciding whether the application is approved or denied.
• Schengen consulates are diplomatic missions in foreign countries.
• If your country doesn’t have a visa application center, you need to apply for a Schengen visa at a consulate or embassy. 
• If your country has a visa application center, you need to apply for your Schengen visa there (in the majority of cases).