Best Web Sites for
Embassies, Visas, Passports and Work Permits

Getting accurate information about what visas or permits you need is an important part of preparing for a trip or stay abroad. To help you with this task we have provided information about embassies and consulates both in the U.S. and abroad, and we have also included companies that provide visa and passport services. Before soliciting services from a consultant, I suggest contacting the respective embassy or consulate to get first-hand information about visa requirements and fees.

See my article on The Visa Challenge for a discussion of the many types of available visas. —Travel and Living Abroad Contributing Editor Volker Poelzl

The Electronic Embassy, www.embassy.org/embassies, is a database of all foreign embassies in Washington, D.C.

Embassy World, www.embassyworld.com/embassy/directory.htm, a portal claiming to list all embassies for any country, although some of the listings are outdated.

Foreign Consular Offices in the United States, www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/, provides a list of foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S.

List of Canadian Government Offices Abroad, www.voyage.gc.ca/main/foreign, includes Canadian embassies and High Commissions around the world.

The U.K. Foreign and Commonwealth Office, www.fco.gov.uk, provides a List of British Embassies Overseas, which includes British diplomatic missions for most countries.

The U.S. State Department provides links to United States embassies and consulates worldwide.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection, www.customs.gov, provides useful information on its Travel Spotlight page about customs regulations when leaving and entering the U.S.

Websites and E-Mail Addresses of Foreign Embassies in the U.S., www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/32122.htm#S, lists the websites of most foreign embassies in the U.S.

Yahoo's Directory of Embassies and Consulates, dir.yahoo.com/Government/Embassies_and_Consulates, offers its own exhaustive directory.

A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors, www.abriggs.com, provides US passport services as well as travel visas for most countries.

AIC - Consultation, visa services and immigration assessments for the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK and Brazil. Team of experienced immigration lawyers and consultants: www.how2immigrate.net.

Anywork Anywhere, www.anyworkanywhere.com, provides work and travel visa information for many countries.

Canada Work Permit, www.canadaworkpermit.com, contains comprehensive information about obtaining permission to work in Canada, including an active open discussion forum.

Do It Yourself Expat, www.diyexpat.com. is a guide to working in Europe for non-EU citizens, providing detailed information about all types of visas.

E Resourcing Australasia, www.e-ra.biz, offers immigration and visa support for those interested in living and working in Australia.

EmigrationExpert.com, www.emigrationexpert.co.uk, is focused on providing articles and information to facilitate moving abroad with ease and discusses many emigration issues for the potential U.K. expatriate.

Global Visas, www.globalvisas.com, provides immigration services, visas, and sevices for work permits to selected countries.

Passport and Visa Exchange, visaexchange.com, provides U.S. passport services and travel visas for most countries.

Passports and Visas.com, www.passportsandvisas.com, provides services for quickly procuring passports and visas from the U.S. to go abroad.

Passports Plus Inc., www.passportsplus.com, is a U.S. passport and visa service, providing visa information for most countries.

Perry International, www.perryvisa.com, will help expedite the procurement process for visas, passports, and international driver's licenses from the U.S. to go abroad.

Smith Stone Walters Ltd, www.smithstonewalters.com, are U.K. leaders in the provision of work permits for people wanting to work in the U.K.

TN Visa Expert, www.tnvisaexpert.com, provides information and services for Canadians interested in working in the U.S.

Travel & Visa Pro, www.travelvisapro.com, provides one-stop expediting passport and visa processing for those coming to the U.S. or going overseas.

Travisa, www.travisa.com, based in the U.S., offers travel visa processing, online visa application forms and other country information for most countries.

U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs lists foreign visa requirements for American travelers, and provides information about how to apply for a U.S. passport.

Vamos a Canada, www.vamosacanada.com, is an immigration consultant providing information and services for those wishing to visit, study or work in Canada.

Visa Bureau, www.visabureau.com, for Australian, New Zealand, Canadian and American immigration. Visa Bureau offers online assessments and professional immigration advisory services for all temporary or permanent travel and migration.

VisaPro, www.visapro.com, provides work permit and visa information online for those wishing to immigrate to the U.S.

Workpermit.com, www.workpermit.com, a UK-based visa and immigration service, provides immigration, visa, and work permit information for countries worldwide.

Zierer Visa Service, www.zvs.com, with offices in the USA and the UK, specializes in passport and visa services for countries worldwide.