What is the worst country to deal with when dealing with consulates? And what country is the best?

Question

What is the worst country to deal with when dealing with consulates? And what country is the best?

Answer 1

Based on official policy, totalitarian regimes and theocracies tend to have the most difficult foreign missions to work with; otherwise, it comes down to the professionalism and personality (or lack thereof) of the specific individual with whom you are dealing.

Answer 2

Difficult consulates to deal with are generally Libya, North Korea, Sudan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Iran, India, Pakistan as well as scores of other African, Eastern and South American countries which generally make up the rules as they go along. Many Arabic, Middle Eastern and South American countries or countries with links to France (Tunisia, Algeria etc) often have horrible bureaucratic legislation that takes a long time to complete. Russia and China can also be difficult on occasion due to them being suspicious of most people, but usually China are very efficient.

Countries like America can also be difficult, although not because they are trying to be difficult, but because their complex citizenship/visa requirements mean it is easy to make mistakes, thus prolonging your business with them.

The best are usually countries like Netherlands, Japan and Australia with professionally run missions. American consulates are usually fairly simple if you do it right, and once things begin to move, they move very fast with the Americans.