Do You Have to Apply at a Visa Consulate?

If you're planning a trip to Europe, you might need to apply for a visa - particularly if you're heading to a Schengen country.

There are 20 Schengen countries, and travelers who visit can move from country to country without having to pass through border control each time.

This is one of the (many) reasons this visa is so popular.

While applying for a Schengen visa can seem stressful, especially with requirements like Schengen travel insurance, we’re here to help you understand the process. One of the things that is essential to understand is where you apply. Consulates? Embassies? Application centers? And what roles do each of them play in the process?

We've got you covered.

Consulates vs embassies

What exactly is the difference?

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 is overseen by an Ambassador. 

Depending on the size of the country and its relationship with specific countries, a single embassy might not be enough to do the local work that needs to be done. When this is the case, a country can add additional "embassy offices". These are called consulates.

The consulates follow the lead of the embassy and are overseen by a Consul General (under the direction of the Embassy's official Ambassador). 

So, consulates aren't embassies, but they're sort of like "branches" of them that directly follow the Embassy's lead.

Do consulates & embassies do the same thing?

The embassy is focused on several tasks, including diplomatic relations, representing their country, negotiating agreements, and more.

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

Interestingly enough, embassies typically have a consular section in their offices, specifically for facilitating these more administrative or citizen-oriented tasks (regardless of whether or not there are consulates across the foreign country).

Where do you apply for a visa?

Embassies (the consular section) and consulates grant visas, but whether or not you apply for them there depends largely on your location.

In most cases, you need to apply for a visa at a visa application center. 

Visa processors (who run visa application centers) are trusted partnering organizations that work closely with governments and embassies. This allows them to streamline the visa application process... but what does this mean for applicants? 

When you apply for your visa for France, Spain, or wherever it is in the zone you're going, you will likely apply through one of these partners (such as VFS Global, TLScontact, and others).

They facilitate the application process from start to finish and then forward your application for a final decision to be made (approval or application rejection).

Visa centers have no power or influence over whether your visa application is approved or denied. Only the embassy/consulate can make this decision.

The visa processor will: 

• Give you a list of visa requirements.
• Answer any questions you have about the application process.
• Facilitate a (usually 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 a final decision to be made.

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.

What is a Schengen consulate?

A Schengen consulate is a diplomatic mission of a Schengen country in a foreign country.

There are 29 countries in the area (including France, Italy, Spain, and others), and consulates can be found around the globe. These consulates directly support the primary mission (the embassy) in the foreign country. 

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

Is there one near you?

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 visa through a visa center, not a consulate. 

How to find the consulate you need

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 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

They can be found in: 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.

If you're applying for a visa, you may need to go to a visa application center, not a consulate.

Belgium consulates in the UK

They can be found in: Bristol, Dover, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Kingston-upon-Hull, London, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

Belgium consulates in Canada

They can be found in: 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

Find them in: 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

You can find them in Ottawa, Mississauga, and Vancouver.

Czech consulate near me

Czech consulates in the US

Find them in: 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

You can find them in: Edinburgh, Gibraltar, London, Manchester, Newtownards, and Peterborough.

Czech consulates in Canada

Find them in: Calgary, Charlottetown, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Regina, Vancouver, Victoria, and Winnipeg.

Danish consulate near me

Danish consulates in the US

Consulates can be found in: 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 

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

Danish consulates in Canada

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

Estonian consulate near me

Estonian consulates in the US

Find them in: 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

They're in: Aberdeen, Belfast, Cardross, Cheltenham, Edinburgh, Jersey, Leeds, and Liverpool.

Estonian consulates in Canada

You can find them in: Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Finland consulate near me

Finland consulates in the US

Find them in: 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

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

Finland consulates in Canada

You can find them in: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa, Saint John, Saskatoon, Salt Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. 

French consulate near me

French consulates in the US

You can find them in: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, and Washington DC.

French consulates in the UK

Located in: Edinburgh and London.

French consulates in Canada

Find them in: Ottawa, Moncton, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver.

German consulate near me

German consulates in the US

You can find them in: 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

They are located in: 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

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

Greece consulate near me

Greece consulates in the US

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

Greece consulates in the UK

You can find them in: Birmingham, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Leeds, London, and Manchester.

Greece consulates in Canada

They're located in: Calgary, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Vancouver.

Hungary consulate near me

Hungary consulates in the US

They're in: 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

They can be found in: Cardiff, Coleraine, Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Sheringham, and Torquay.

Hungary consulates in Canada

You can find them in: Calgary, Edmonton, Hammonds Plains, Montreal, Ottawa, Saskatchewan, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. 

Iceland consulate near me

Iceland consulates in the US

You can find them in: 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

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

Iceland consulates in Canada

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

Italian consulate near me

Italy consulates in the US

They can be found in: 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

You can find them in: 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

They're located in: 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

Find them in: 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

You can find them in: Auburn, Phoenix, San Francisco, Denver, Detroit, Portland (OR), Philadelphia, Duvall, San Juan, Miami, and Washington DC.

Malta consulates in the UK

Located in: Edinburgh and London.

Malta consulates in Canada

Toronto.

Norwegian consulate near me

Norwegian consulates in the US

You can locate them in: 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

Find them in: Aberdeen, Belfast, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Kirkwall, London, and Manchester.

Norwegian consulates in Canada

They're in: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Ottawa, Quebec, Regina, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. 

Dutch consulate near me

Dutch consulates in the US

Find them in: Atlanta, Chicago, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. 

Dutch consulates in the UK

London.

Dutch consulates in Canada

They're located in: Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Poland consulate near me

Poland consulates in the US

Find them in: 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

They're in: Cardiff, Cowes, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Hull, Inverness, London, Manchester, Newry, St. Helier, and Trowbridge.

Poland consulates in Canada

Located in: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Portugal consulate near me

Portugal consulates in the US

You can find them in: 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

They're in: Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, and Winnipeg.

Romania consulate near me

Romania consulates in the US

Find them in: 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

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

Romania consulates in Canada

You can locate them in: Calgary, Dieppe, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto, and Vancouver.

Slovakia consulate near me

Slovakia consulates in the US

Find them in: 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

They're in: Cleveland and Washington DC

Slovenia consulates in the UK

London.

Slovenia consulates in Canada

Ottawa. 

Spain consulate near me

Spain consulates in the US

You can find them in: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. 

Spain consulates in the UK

They're in: Edinburgh, London, and Manchester.

Spain consulates in Canada

Located in: Montreal, Ottawa, and Toronto.

Sweden consulate near me

Sweden consulates in the US

They're found in: 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

They're located in: Belfast, Brighton, Cardiff, Dover, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Glasgow, Immingham, London, St. Helier, and Manchester.

Sweden consulates in Canada

You can find them in: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

Switzerland consulate near me

Switzerland consulates in the US

They can be found in: 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

Locate them in: Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Gibraltar, Hamilton, Manchester, London, and West Bay.

Switzerland consulates in Canada

You can find them in: Calgary, Halifax, Montreal, Nassau, Ottawa, Quebec, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg.

FAQs about embassies and consulates