What is the difference between a high commision and an embassy?

Question

What is the difference between a high commision and an embassy?

Answer 1

High Commissions are British overseas missions in Commonwealth countries. These are always referred to as High Commission as they are representative of the Queen in the Commonwealth.

Embasies are the name given both the host country and the embassy nation are not both Commonwealth nations.

Therefore New Zealand has a High Commission in UK and vice versa but New Zealand has an Embassy in France.

I am an immigration solicitor

Answer 2

A consulate is like a junior embassy. It's generally located in a busy tourist city, and takes care of minor diplomatic tasks such as issuing visas. The word consulate literally means office of the consul, who is a diplomat appointed to foster trade and take care of expatriates.

Embassies are much bigger deals. The word embassy comes from the French ambassade, or office of the ambassador. Ambassadors are high-ranking diplomatic representatives who serve as spokespersons for their national governments. If one country recognizes the sovereignty of another, they generally establish an embassy there. Embassies take care of the same administrative duties as consulates, but they also represent their governments abroad.