We do our work through a network of 260 embassies, high commissions and other diplomatic posts.

You can find the post you need via the A-Z country list and link to its websites and email from there. You will also find useful information such as office hours, telephone and fax numbers, street maps, country profiles and travel advice.

Our embassies do a number of jobs including:

• giving practical advice, assistance and support to the ever-increasing number of British nationals who travel or live overseas
• dealing with requests for visas
• dealing with requests for passports
• using our local knowledge to assess the risks to British nationals, which range from terrorism to natural disasters
• looking after the UK's commercial interests
• supporting UK firms who want to trade and export in overseas markets
• encouraging non-UK companies to invest in the UK
• being the eyes and ears of the UK Government abroad. Embassies are linked directly into UK government departments providing vital information on developments abroad, and on the effects in the UK of decisions made abroad, and vice-versa.
• talking regularly to decision-makers and promoting the UK's strengths of integrity, creativity, and openness which helps to boost trade, inward investment, tourism and the influence of UK foreign policy.

You can also take a look at Support for British nationals abroad which answers many of the questions you might have about the kind of help an embassy or high commission can give.  It is available in a number of languages including Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu and Chinese.

Help in emergencies

We also offer practical help in emergencies including:

• issuing emergency passports  
• helping Britons who have been arrested or imprisoned 
• helping those who have been the victim of a crime
• helping those who have fallen ill or been injured 
• giving practical help to those searching for missing friends or relatives  
• giving practical help for those dealing with the sudden death of a relative or friend
• assessing the risks to British nationals ranging from terrorism to natural disasters
• helping British residents and holiday makers affected by a political emergency or natural disaster.