Foreign Embassies and Consulates in Canada Key Terms

Know the terms necessary to obtain services at an embassy or consulate in Canada

By Lesley Graybeal

Canada hosts a wide range of foreign offices for embassy and consulate services, including other member nations of the British Commonwealth, for whom special services and relaxed travel regulations may apply. Both embassies and consular offices are operated by a foreign government within Canada, and exist to provide services to their citizens while traveling in Canada. Most diplomatic offices are located in the capitol of Ottawa, but some large nations, like the United States, have consular offices in a number of different metropolitan areas in Canada.

Embassy

An embassy in Canada is set up and administered directly by the government of a foreign nation that has diplomatic relations with Canada. The head official of an embassy is the ambassador, and the ambassador is accompanied by a full staff, typically also citizens of his or her home country. Embassies in Canada perform a range of diplomatic functions with the Canadian government.
Try: Read a complete definition of embassy from Wise Geek, and get a full list of the foreign embassies in Canada from Embassy Row.

Consulate

A consulate is also a foreign diplomatic office in Canada, but is generally smaller than an embassy and performs fewer political functions. Consulates are more focused on international trade relationships and provide more services to citizen populations abroad in Canada. Most often, individuals wishing to travel to a country obtain visas from the consulate, rather than an embassy.
Try: The U.S. Embassy Consular Services Canada defines the functions of the consulate of the United States in Canada, while Mazonda provides a comparison of consulates and embassies.

Proactive Disclosure

Proactive Disclosure is a policy of the Canadian government that applies to Canada's consulates and embassies requiring accountability for government spending through reports published by government offices.
Try: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada defines the Proactive Disclosure policy and provides report publications online.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program is a policy of the United States relaxing travel restrictions for individual travelers entering the United States through Canada, or taking a short trip to Canada during travel to the United States. The Visa Waiver Program applies to select countries only, which are listed and updated online.
Try: The U.S. Embassy Consular Services Canada provides an overview of the Visa Waiver Program and how it pertains to the consular office in Canada.

Commonwealth

Commonwealth nations, formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is a group of nations formerly under British colonial rule and with whom the United Kingdom maintains preferential relationships. The Commonwealth includes 53 independent nations, the largest of which are Canada, Australia and India.
Try: Links North provides a concise definition and history of the British Commonwealth.

High Commission

High Commission is the term used for the consular offices of Commonwealth member nations in Canada and other Commonwealth countries. A High Commission performs the same functions as an embassy or consulate, but may have closer ties to other High Commissions because of the close relationship of Commonwealth nations.
Try: Trinidad & Tobago High Commission - Ottawa defines the services provided by a High Commission and an overview of its consular duties.