The list of foreign embassies in the UK is extensive and includes almost every nation in the world. Because the United Kingdom depends on trade for its existence, diplomatic relations with other nations are a key element to any successful Prime Minister’s term in office. Fully 25 percent of the jobs in the UK depend on foreign business, so good relations with other countries are important to the economy of the United Kingdom as well.

Almost all the foreign embassies and consulates in the UK are in London. Because an embassy is the main headquarters of the diplomatic corps, it is normally set in a country’s capital. A consulate is a smaller extension of the embassy and may share the main embassy compound, or it may be located in another city or region of the UK.

Foreign embassies in the UK have the responsibility of carrying out a number of tasks. They include:

1. Supporting countrymen in the UK through foreign consulates in the UK.

2. Finding compatible programs with the UK that help carry out national policy goals.

3. Building business relationships in the UK.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find foreign embassies and consulates in the UK from Asia

Many of the trading partners of the United Kingdom are in Asia. Britain provides a ready market for the raw materials and finished goods from Asian nations. The foreign embassies located in the UK work to actively promote these markets.

I recommend: The Indian Embassy has offices in London. Foreign consulates in London complement the consular offices in Edinburgh, Birmingham and Belfast. The Republic of Indonesia consulates in the UK work out of the main embassy in London to provide visas to those who need them.

Choose foreign embassies in the UK from Europe

The United Kingdom is an active member of the European Union. All the European nations have foreign embassies located in the UK.

I recommend: The Russian Embassy serves as the consulate to all of the UK except Scotland, which has its own Russian consulate office in Edinburgh. The Embassy for the German Consulate in UK also has an office in Edinburgh.

Contact one of the North American foreign embassies and consulates in the UK

Canada and the United States are major trading partners of the United Kingdom. Both nations have several consular offices in the United Kingdom.

I recommend: Canada has High Commission status as a member of the British Commonwealth of Nations. They have an embassy in London with consular offices in Edinburgh, Birmingham, Belfast and Cardiff. The United States has an embassy in London, as well as consulates in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Most foreign embassies in the UK are located in Grosvenor Square in the Mayfair District of London. Because of security precautions as well as a lack of space, it is difficult, if not impossible, to find parking nearby. If your business takes you to one of the foreign embassies and consulates in London, you would be wise to take some form of public transportation.