Embassy in Edinburgh

“Fantastic staff! Laura was very friendly and helpful. We were very happy with the service.”

“My husband and I have twice needed the help and service provided by Mrs Plevri and it has been excellent on both occasions. We found her to be very friendly and courteous and are very grateful for the help provided.”

“At the VFS Global centre in Leith, Edinburgh, long waiting times on the day of their appointment, Even when arriving on time, as only one staff member is usually available to handle a large number of people. While the staff was helpful and efficient, Appointment availability for Italy is very limited, with slots hard to secure even when trying months in advance, while external agents seem able to obtain and sell them more easily. We are asked to provide additional documents not clearly listed on the official website or checklist, which creates last-minute stress. The lack of a nearby photocopying facility (the closest being about a mile away in a library) adds further inconvenience, and using VFS Global’s in-house services for copies or printing can be costly.”

“Giorgio and Federica are two very kind and helpful people in Belfast. Needed my Italian Passport to get sorted and all their instructions are 100% detailed and helpful. You ask them anything and they'll do their best to help you and give as much information as you need.”

“Very nice and polite staff all the way to security personnel. Always willing to help. A pleasure to deal with.”

“Declared my son's birth abroad and they gave him a little American flag and the whole waiting room applauded him. It was quite an ordeal and very American. No one loves Americans more than we love ourselves! Staff was actually very helpful and instructed me on fixing some errors i had made in some documents. Didn't expect that when dealing with government bureaucracy.”

“Great respect for the very nice employees of our beloved Polish Embassy❤️ My son needed a passport to sign a contract with a football club because he was leaving for Finland 2 days later. Polish Embassy Employees were very helpful and understanding. They greeted us with a smile and helped us. Great respect for you for your help and not for making it difficult to help❤️”

“My experience was top notch. I had to get my power of attorney signed and it was an emergency. I couldn’t find appointments in Birmingham so I went to CGI Edinburgh. The consul officer was kind enough to permit the procedure to go through even though I am from a different jurisdiction. He understood that it was an emergency and helped me understand the process diligently and I got my POA signed without difficulty. I wish everyone makes use of the consul services as they are efficient and thorough.”

“Thanks to the consulate staff for the excellent service and polite attitude.”

“I must say, my personal experience was altogether rather splendid. I was there to sort out an international passport, and I dare say I was rather fortunate with the weather - waiting outside the entrance proved perfectly agreeable, unlike the unfortunate experiences some others have mentioned. Regarding any perceived unresponsiveness or bureaucratic tendencies - I do feel compelled to point out, dear friends, that this isn't really down to the staff themselves, is it? The processes are governed at ministerial level through all diplomatic missions, and one can hardly hold the local team accountable for that sort of thing. I would most respectfully suggest showing a bit of human understanding for what must be quite an exhausting workload. A touch of politeness (without going overboard into grovelling territory, naturally), staying on topic, and perhaps avoiding any heated political discussions - well, that's just good form, isn't it? Your standard British etiquette should see you through splendidly. Do remember to confirm your appointment (twice or even thrice through the Diiya portal). One wouldn't want to arrive only to discover one's slot has vanished into the digital ether - the staff have no control over this, I'm afraid. Oh, and bear in mind: registering with the consulate in Scotland whilst residing in England is simply not on (and vice versa). All in all, armed with a bit of patience and good manners, you'll find the process perfectly manageable. The staff are doing their very best under challenging circumstances, and a kind word goes a long way.”

“The street it is on is very pretty.”

“Recently had an appointment to renew my passport. Both the doorman and the lady who helped me with my application were very kind and polite. I was able to attend my appointment early and it only took around 20 minutes to sort everything.”

“Excellent experience today. A bit nervous while doing the notification but you are very friendly and kind and made everything easy. Very much appreciated. Best wishes to you all!”

“Have been dealing with the Consulate for months now and can only say that they have been extremely helpful and really put us at ease, we had a few obstacles along the way but with their help we managed to get to the end of our process. Helpful , friendly and professional at all times. Thanks again to Juan and the team there”

“Fast, efficient & friendly. Delighted I did not have to schlep to London on an overnighter to get my document renewed. Thank you”