Embassy vs Consolate

[William33 110]

Well now, lets start at the top.

Consulates are not stand alone. Yes, in the physical sense (the building), but not with respect to the chain of command.

There is only one Ambassador per country, located in the Embassy. Followed by a Consul General (or Charge' or other Principal Officer) at the Consulate level. It always depends on the country, the number of Consulates and so forth. I used the term "mini-embassy" for those not familiar with diplomacy 101, to facilitate better understanding. Because often times, not always, you can get the same services at any of the locations.

Packets: I gave information that, evidently applies to Indonesia, and perhaps other places. At the end of the day, one should perform due diligence on their own case. As you stated, each Embassy has different requirements. I believe I captured the spirit of the process, in that the Embassy will send the appropriate documentation to the beneficiary.

USCIS sourcing - The USCIS is also a good source for information. Are you suggesting otherwise?

And lastly, I was not a Consular employee, if I were, I would not be on this site asking questions. My advice is intended to help. Further, I have not given advice that would undermine someones journey or process.

Again, due diligence is key.

There are a great many other activities that occur in an Embassy or Consulate. They do not just process visas, the first order of business is to provide U.S. Diplomatic representation to the host country. I worked in a different section of the Embassies, to which I was assigned. My exposure to the visa process is limited, but not entirely void.

William,

I am surprised that having an insider's level of understanding you describe a stand-alone consulate as a mini-embassy.

I am surprised that having experience at multiple posts you provide post-specific packet information based on a post that is different from the post of concern to the questioner without cautioning that the information may not apply.

I am curious why having a diplomatic background you go to a USCIS source for information about the J-1 visa rather than the FAM or other DoS source, and surprised that you settle for a level of information that is so superficial it misses an issue critical to the question.

Yodrak

That is a completely accurate characterization. What is the issue in question? Let's hear it? No generalizations please.

William,

Then you should know better.

Yodrak

meauxna,

I take exception to your comment. I served as an accredited U.S. Diplomat in two different U.S. Embassies overseas, where I met my Fiance, for one. Second, I served on a temporary basis in many other countries, with a Diplomatic passport in hand.

....

William, we could split hairs over your definition, but it's late.

I like this one: http://ask.yahoo.com/20000824.html

Where you are assigned is case-specific only in that it will always be the visa-issuing post that serves your residence.

You can find the websites for all US Embassies and Consulates here:

http://usembassy.state.gov/

PS: crayon---don't worry, your forms will be set straight without delay due to that error-ette.

[Yodrak 7]

William,

I'm going to take the liberty of cutting and rearranging your post a bit to facilitate my comments. Feel free to complain if you feel that I've distorted your thoughts too much or have taken them out of context.

Well now, lets start at the top.

Consulates are not stand alone. Yes, in the physical sense (the building), but not with respect to the chain of command.

There is only one Ambassador per country, located in the Embassy. Followed by a Consul General (or Charge' or other Principal Officer) at the Consulate level. It always depends on the country, the number of Consulates and so forth. ...

I've often wondered about the chain of command, and whether the Consul General(s), espcially at the stand-alone consulates (I do mean physically, to more clearly distinguish them from the consular section of the embassy) report directly to the Ambassador or to the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

... I used the term "mini-embassy" for those not familiar with diplomacy 101, to facilitate better understanding. Because often times, not always, you can get the same services at any of the locations.

....

There are a great many other activities that occur in an Embassy or Consulate. They do not just process visas, the first order of business is to provide U.S. Diplomatic representation to the host country. I worked in a different section of the Embassies, to which I was assigned. My exposure to the visa process is limited, but not entirely void.

I agree, that's my understanding also, the first order of business of an embassy is to provide diplomatic representation to the host country. And a subset of that is to provide visa services to the citizens (and non-USC residents?) of the host country. Such visa services, along with services to US citizens present in the host country, being the functions assigned to the consulates. Agreed that in countries where there are stand-alone consulates such consulates may perform some level of additional function in their region of the country, but their primary function remains US citizen and visa services. Is this correct?

Please do give us the benefit of your knowledge and experience with some subject matter from diplomacy 101, and 102! It would be very interesting, and beneficial, to have some broader context for the workings of the US government in foreign countries. It is helpful to know that the consulates and especially the embassies do many things besides process visa applications (just as the USCIS Service Centers do many things besides process visa petitions and applications for adjustment, employment, and advance parole for marriage-based immigrants).

Packets: I gave information that, evidently applies to Indonesia, and perhaps other places. At the end of the day, one should perform due diligence on their own case. As you stated, each Embassy has different requirements. I believe I captured the spirit of the process, in that the Embassy will send the appropriate documentation to the beneficiary. Further, I have not given advice that would undermine someones journey or process. And lastly, I was not a Consular employee, if I were, I would not be on this site asking questions. My advice is intended to help. Again, due diligence is key.

Agreed, the issue of what is packet 4 is not a significant one where confusion or misunderstanding would get someone into trouble. (Since the packet system is long gone I personally try to avoid the use of the packet terminology.) And I agree that many people need to do more due diligence.

USCIS sourcing - The USCIS is also a good source for information. Are you suggesting otherwise?

No, that wasn't my intent, although now that you mention it the USCIS does put forth a fair amount of ambiguous information and incorrect information. To paraphrase a lawyer I highly respect, 'I don't get my information from the DoS or the USCIS, I go to the INA and the CFR'. Those of us who are not attornies may have difficulty properly interpreting those direct sources - and that includes USCIS employees.

But to get back to answering your question, my thought was that a person who worked for or with DoS, the organization that processes visa applications and issues visas, would most likely seek information about visas from DoS sources.

Yodrak

Edited July 7, 2006 by Yodrak

[meauxna 15]

meauxna,

I take exception to your comment. I served as an accredited U.S. Diplomat in two different U.S. Embassies overseas, where I met my Fiance, for one. Second, I served on a temporary basis in many other countries, with a Diplomatic passport in hand.

You can google all you wish, being there is second to none. Period. Can you live with that? I hope so. cheers.

William, we could split hairs over your definition, but it's late.

I like this one: http://ask.yahoo.com/20000824.html

Where you are assigned is case-specific only in that it will always be the visa-issuing post that serves your residence.

You can find the websites for all US Embassies and Consulates here:

http://usembassy.state.gov/

PS: crayon---don't worry, your forms will be set straight without delay due to that error-ette.

I can totally live with your job history; thanks for sharing.

The hair split has been brought up; Consulates are not mini Embassies, but serve a different function.

btw, you don't have to jump from zero to 'taking exception'. We're all friends here. It seems you might have a lot to offer the conversation based on your experiences. Just like I do with my DCF experience-- I keep track of where it can be done (like Indonesia). I thought my future might be in the Foreign Service, but it's not the right time to spend the year back east in training. I'm sure many of us would be eager for your stories.

pax,

meauxna

[William33 110]

Cancel.

Edited July 7, 2006 by William33

[William33 110]

Meauxna,

I hope you had an opportunity to see my explanation about the use of the term "mini- Embassy" and the justification for it. Believe me, I do understand the function of Embassies and Consulates, also in my previous post. With that said, I meant nothing aggressive with the exception comment. I agree that we are all here to help each other. Friends? I hope so.

meauxna,

I take exception to your comment. I served as an accredited U.S. Diplomat in two different U.S. Embassies overseas, where I met my Fiance, for one. Second, I served on a temporary basis in many other countries, with a Diplomatic passport in hand.

You can google all you wish, being there is second to none. Period. Can you live with that? I hope so. cheers.

William, we could split hairs over your definition, but it's late.

I like this one: http://ask.yahoo.com/20000824.html

Where you are assigned is case-specific only in that it will always be the visa-issuing post that serves your residence.

You can find the websites for all US Embassies and Consulates here:

http://usembassy.state.gov/

PS: crayon---don't worry, your forms will be set straight without delay due to that error-ette.

I can totally live with your job history; thanks for sharing.

The hair split has been brought up; Consulates are not mini Embassies, but serve a different function.

btw, you don't have to jump from zero to 'taking exception'. We're all friends here. It seems you might have a lot to offer the conversation based on your experiences. Just like I do with my DCF experience-- I keep track of where it can be done (like Indonesia). I thought my future might be in the Foreign Service, but it's not the right time to spend the year back east in training. I'm sure many of us would be eager for your stories.

pax,

meauxna

[meauxna 15]

I agree that we are all here to help each other. Friends? I hope so.

Absolutely.