In most of the countries you will find diplomatic missions, which usually refers to an embassy and/or a consulate. Diplomatic bodies represent other country’s interests in Palestine, with the aim of strengthening international relations between the states and providing services for their citizens in Palestine.

Embassies and consulates are considered legal territories of their home countries. They are not "foreign territory" but they are protected and considered the property of the country using them, meaning that Palestine does not have jurisdiction over the embassy or consulate of another country.

What is the difference between Embassy and Consulate?

The Vienna Convention on Consular Relations international treaty defines the diplomatic mission’s purpose and framework. The various diplomatic missions offer several services and carry out different missions. For example:

• Embassy: This is the primary diplomatic representation of a country’s government and is headed by an ambassador. An embassy is the main location for a diplomatic presence of one country in another. A country has at most one embassy in another country and is always established in the capital city of the host country. In the absence of a consulate in a country, the embassy also has a consular section to carry out all the relevant consular services (see below).
• Consulate General: This is a diplomatic mission, headed by a consul that provides a full range of services such as: issuing passports/visas, keeping birth and marriage records, assisting expats, providing legal information, translations etc. It can be located in any major city of the host country, although often in the capital city (in certain cases, in the same building as the embassy). In major countries and large territories, you often have more than one consulate.
• Honorary Consulate: It supplements the Consulate to provide a limited range of consular services and is headed by an honorary consul. They help nationals abroad. For example, in the event of a hospital stay, missing person, death, natural disaster or another emergency. They can also issue emergency travel documents and consular declarations for which the applicant is required to appear in person.

NB: You will usually apply for a visa at the Consulate of the country you want to visit. However, if there is no such representation in Palestine, you can apply for a visa at the embassy.

Where to find Consulates and Embassies in Palestine

Most countries that recognize Palestine have their diplomatic missions located in Ramallah, the de facto administrative capital of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. These missions typically carry titles such as "Representative Office" or "Diplomatic Mission" rather than "Embassy," reflecting Palestine's contested status.

A small number of countries, primarily those with strong ties to the Palestinian cause, have established full representations. These include Russia, China, and several Arab and African nations. The capital of Palestine, Ramallah hosts no embassies. However, there are 11 consulates and 41 other representations located in Palestine.

The status of Jerusalem remains a major point of contention. While Palestinians claim East Jerusalem as their capital, most countries avoid placing their missions there due to the ongoing dispute over the city's status.

Foreign representation to Palestine faces unique challenges, including restrictions on movement and access imposed by Israeli authorities. Diplomats often require special permits to enter Palestinian territories.

Despite these obstacles, many countries maintain a diplomatic presence to engage with Palestinian leadership, provide consular services, and support various development and humanitarian initiatives. The level and nature of foreign representation in Palestine continue to evolve as the political situation develops and as more countries consider recognizing Palestinian statehood.

You will find below a list of selected countries (the list is not exhaustive) that have a diplomatic mission in Palestine. The list includes official representations for you to be able to get information and services.

Embassies and Main Consulates in Ramallah

Australia

Australian Representative Office

The Australian Embassy in Lebanon is currently responsible for Palestine.

The office is unable to offer direct consular assistance or assistance with immigration issues (including issuing passports and visas). For consular assistance in the West Bank and Gaza please contact the Australian Embassy in Tel Aviv, Amman or Cairo.

China

Office of the Republic of China in the state of Palestine

Address: No.52 Al-Tira Street, P.O.BOX 1942, Ramallah
Tel: (+972) 2  295 1224
E-Mail: chinaemb_ps@mfa.gov.cn and ramallah@csm.mfa.gov.cn for Consular Service
Opening hours: 8:30h -12:30h and 14:00h -18:00h from Sunday to Thursday
Reception hours of the consular services: 9:30-14:30 from Sunday to Thursday (Excluding holidays)

The consular section provides a range of consular services such as document authentication and legalisation processing, as well as notary certification and marriage registration, visa affairs, and consular protection to all Chinese living or traveling in Palestine.

France

French Embassy in Palestine

There is no French representation in Palestine. The closest institution is the General Consulate of France in Jerusalem (city under the rule of the State of Israel).

Germany

Representative Office of the Federal Republic of Germany

Address: 13, Berlin Street, Ramallah
Tel: (+972) 2 297 7630
E-Mail: Contact
Social Media: https://x.com/GerRepRamallah and https://www.facebook.com/GermanRepOfficeRamallah
Opening hours: Monday - Friday: 09.00 - 12.00. Closed Saturday and Sunday

The official and consular district represents the Palestinian territories (West Bank, Gaza Strip and East Jerusalem).
All consular services are offered. For more information, please click here

Japan

Representative Office of the Government of Japan in Palestine

Address: Abraj House 8th Floor 15 Tokyo Street, Ein-Monjed Quarter, Ramallah
Tel: (+970) 2 298 3370/1
E-Mail: repjapan@rm.mofa.go.jp
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/Mofa.Japan.en/ and https://x.com/#!/MofaJapan_en
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Palestinian citizens can apply in person or via proxy to the Embassy of Japan in Tel-Aviv after getting an appointment from the Embassy’s consular section.

For visa and consular inquiries, kindly click here and read all details before coming to Tel-Aviv

Jordan

Jordanian Liaison office in Palestine

Address: Al Masyoun neighborhood, near Grand Park Hotel
Tel: (+970) 2 297 4626 or (+970) 2 297 4625
Email: ramallah@fm.gov.jo

The Representative Office of the Kingdom of Jordan in Palestine does not offer consular services.

Russia

Representation of Russia in Palestine

Address: Gemzo Suites, 11, al-Mubadeen st., Al-Bireh, Ramallah,
Tel: (+972) 2 240 0970 and (+972) 5 994 18922 for emergencies
E-Mail: rusmissionpal@mid.ru
Social Media: https://www.facebook.com/RusRepOfficeRamallah and https://x.com/RusRepRamallah and https://www.instagram.com/rusrepramallah/
Opening hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday  from 11:00 to 14:00

The Russian Representation in Palestine provides Consular Services such as record declarations (birth, recognition, death), requests for passports or identity cards, publications of banns (marriage) as well as for the transcription of acts of civil status issued by authorities in Palestine.

United Kingdom (Great Britain)

United Kingdom representation in Palestine

The British Consulate General in Jerusalem represents the UK government in Palestine, West Bank and Gaza.

Embassies and Main Consulates in Jerusalem

USA (United States of America)

United States of America office of Palestinian Affairs

Address: 18 Agron Road, Jerusalem 9419003
Emergencies: (+972) 2 622 7230
E-mail: USPalestinianAffairs@state.gov 

U.S. Citizens with emergencies may call the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem at (+972) 2 630 4000 or the Branch Office in Tel Aviv at (+972) 3 519 7575. These telephone numbers may be used at any time, including outside of standard office hours.

If you are calling from outside of Israel, West Bank & Gaza, contact the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem at (+972) 2 630 4000 or the Branch Office in Tel Aviv at (+972) 3 519 7575.

Honorary Consulates in Palestine

When seeking assistance, you are advised to contact the closest Embassies and Consulate-Generals in Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia or the UAE.