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What diplomatic missions are called

Diplomatic missions are always in capital cities of countries. In a Commonwealth country, a diplomatic mission is known as a 'high commission'. In a non-Commonwealth country, it is known as an 'embassy'.

Consular missions can be found elsewhere in a country. A consular mission may also be known, depending upon its importance, as a:

• consulate-general
• consulate
• vice-consulate
• consular agency

• Find British embassies, high commissions and consulates around the world Opens new window

What the British consul does

The main work of a British consul is to protect the interests of UK nationals. Consular staff can offer practical advice, help and support. Their typical work includes:

• issuing passports and emergency passports
• registering births and deaths
• handling cases of child abduction and forced marriage
• helping Britons who have been detained or imprisoned, fallen ill or been the victim of a crime

They also use their local knowledge to assess the risks to UK nationals.

Help for dual nationals

If you're a dual national, the help you can get from a British consul depends on what passport you're travelling on and where you're travelling.

If you're travelling:

• on your British passport in a third country (of which you are not a national), the British consul can offer you full support
• on the passport of your other nationality, you should normally go to that state's embassy, high commission or consulate
• in the state of your other nationality, the British consul would not usually become involved, unless there was a special humanitarian reason to do so

Useful contacts

• Foreign and Commonwealth Office