Embassy and consulate holiday closures reflect a “two flags, one calendar” reality: most missions observe both the host country’s public holidays and their own national days. That means closure lists can differ widely by location, even within the same country. If you need a passport, visa, or notarial service, understanding how these calendars are set—and planning around them—can save you time, stress, and extra trips.

What “Two Flags, One Calendar” Means

Diplomatic missions typically publish an annual holiday schedule combining two sets of days off. First are the sending state’s holidays (for example, an embassy’s national day). Second are selected host-country public holidays where the mission operates. This blended approach recognizes national observances and local conditions while supporting both diplomatic staff and local employees.

Why Embassies and Consulates Observe Two Sets of Holidays

Each mission’s closure calendar stems from legal, operational, and staffing considerations. The framework is often guided by international law and practical realities on the ground.

Legal and policy foundations

• International conventions and practice: Diplomatic and consular posts function under international instruments and bilateral agreements. While missions have unique status, holiday policy is typically shaped by long-standing state practice: honoring national observances and recognizing the host’s major public holidays.
• Employment realities: Missions employ a mix of home-country diplomats and locally engaged staff. Local employees commonly follow host-country labor norms, including designated public holidays, often with mission-specific adjustments.
• Security and access: Host cities may have restricted building access or public services on local holidays. Observing those days can be necessary for safety, staffing, and logistics (couriers, banks, or public transport may be limited).

Home-country days you’ll almost always see

• National days: Independence days, national foundation days, or other primary national celebrations.
• Signature observances: Examples include memorial or remembrance days widely observed by the sending state.

Host-country holidays that often appear

• Major public holidays: New Year, major religious festivals (e.g., Eid, Diwali), or public observances with broad civic impact.
• Local working week patterns: In some countries the weekend differs from the typical Saturday–Sunday pattern. Missions align opening hours and closures accordingly.

Why Holiday Lists Vary by City

Even within the same host country, two consulates can publish different closure schedules. That’s because regional and city-specific factors shape the “host” side of the calendar.

• Regional or state holidays: Federal systems (e.g., Australia, India, Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom) often have state or provincial holidays. A consulate in Melbourne may close for a Victoria-specific public holiday, while another in Sydney follows New South Wales’ calendar.
• Special administrative regions and territories: Places such as Hong Kong SAR or certain territories can have distinct legal holidays. Missions located there follow the local list rather than the broader national schedule.
• City-level observances and practicalities: Some municipalities have unique holidays, commemorations, or large civic events that affect transport and building access, prompting local closures.
• Operational demand: Smaller posts may streamline holiday selections differently than larger embassies with multiple service sections (consular, visa, cultural, trade), which can influence the final list of closures.

What Closures Mean for Passports, Visas, and Appointments

Holiday closures affect more than just the front door. They influence processing times, interview availability, and document pick-up windows.

• Processing pauses: On a closed day, intake, printing, and adjudication steps stop. Expect timelines to extend by at least one business day for each closure in your processing window.
• Reduced appointment supply: When a week contains one or more holidays, the total number of available interview slots drops. Peak travel seasons combined with holidays can compress schedules quickly.
• Courier and mail delays: If a mission uses mail or courier services for passport return or document exchange, those providers may also be closed or backlogged after holidays.
• Knock-on effects: The day after a holiday can be especially busy, and some services may triage emergencies first. Plan for longer lines and slower responses.

Typical counts and patterns

Most missions publish a combined list of roughly 15–20 closure days per year, though busy holiday clusters (for example, around year-end or major festival periods) can temporarily lengthen turnaround times. Posts often release the next year’s calendar near the end of the current year.

How to Plan Around Mission Holiday Calendars

A little preparation goes a long way. Use official pages, reliable holiday tools, and simple reminders to avoid surprise closures.

Step 1: Find the official holiday schedule

• Visit the mission’s website: Look for “Holidays,” “Office Hours,” or “Consular Services.” Most embassies and consulates publish a PDF or web page listing the year’s closures.
• Check the correct city: If a country has multiple consulates, each post may have its own holiday list. Verify you’re viewing the page for the exact city where your appointment will occur.
• Confirm last-minute changes: Missions sometimes add closures for newly declared host-country days or national mourning periods. Re-check the page a week before your appointment.

Step 2: Add the calendar to your phone or desktop

• Import an ICS if available: Some posts provide a downloadable calendar file. If not, manually add the closure dates to your calendar to create visible conflicts.
• Set reminders: Create alerts 1–2 weeks before and again 48 hours before key dates like your visa interview or passport pickup.
• Account for time zones: A closure applies in the mission’s local time zone. If you’re traveling from elsewhere, make sure your calendar reflects the local time correctly.

Step 3: Use upcoming-holiday tools and countdowns

• Reliable holiday databases: Cross-check public holidays for the host city and the mission’s home country using reputable calendars.
• Create a simple countdown: Set a countdown to the next working day after a planned closure. Many phone clock apps or calendar widgets can display “days until” to keep you on track.
• Watch clusters: Holidays sometimes come in groups (e.g., around lunar new year, Easter, Golden Week, or Eid). Build extra buffer before and after clusters.

Step 4: Book earlier and build buffers

• Schedule well ahead of travel: If your trip hinges on a visa, target a completion date at least 2–4 weeks before departure, more during peak seasons.
• Avoid edge days: If possible, don’t book interviews on the day before or after a holiday; those can be the busiest.
• Check cancellation policies: If a holiday is added suddenly or public transport is disrupted, know how to reschedule without penalty.

Step 5: Know emergency channels

• Citizens’ emergencies: Most embassies maintain 24/7 emergency lines for their own citizens. These channels are for urgent assistance, not routine visa questions.
• Third-party centers: Some countries outsource parts of the visa process to application centers. Their holiday calendars can differ from the embassy’s—always check both.

Illustrative Examples (Patterns You Might See)

Specific lists change annually, but patterns are consistent across many missions worldwide:

• U.S. Embassy in Tokyo: Typically observes U.S. federal holidays (e.g., Independence Day) and major Japanese public holidays. Expect limited services around Golden Week.
• French Consulate in New York: Often lists French national observances (such as Bastille Day) alongside U.S. federal holidays, with closures reflecting both calendars.
• Indian Consulate in Melbourne: May include India’s national days and selected Victoria or city-specific public holidays that affect local operations.

These examples are representative rather than exhaustive; always consult the official page for the exact post.

Common Misconceptions About Consular Holiday Schedules

• “All posts in a country share the same holiday list.” Not necessarily—regional holidays and operational needs can vary by city.
• “If the embassy is closed, visa centers are closed too.” Not always. Outsourced application centers often keep separate calendars and hours.
• “A closed day is just one lost day.” The day after a closure can be busier and slower, extending timelines more than one day in practice.
• “Holiday calendars never change mid-year.” They can. Governments sometimes announce new public holidays or mourning days, and missions may adjust.

A Quick Pre-Appointment Checklist

• Check the mission’s official holiday schedule for your city.
• Check the host-country public holiday calendar for the month of your appointment.
• If applicable, check the separate calendar of any visa application center.
• Add all closures to your calendar with reminders and a countdown to the next open day.
• Confirm local time zone and weekend pattern; plan transit accordingly.
• Build a 3–5 business day buffer around holiday clusters.
• Re-check the mission website 48 hours before your appointment for last-minute notices.

The Bottom Line

Embassies and consulates balance two obligations—honoring their own national observances and operating responsibly in the host city—so their “two flags, one calendar” approach makes sense. For travelers and residents, that means being vigilant about closure schedules, especially in cities with regional holidays or non-standard weekends. With an official holiday list, reliable upcoming-holiday tools, and a simple countdown strategy, you can protect your timeline for passports, visas, and other consular services.

FAQ

Do embassies and consulates have to follow host-country holidays?

No one-size-fits-all rule exists, but most missions choose a practical mix that includes major host-country public holidays. This supports local staffing norms and accounts for city-level closures and services.

Why do holiday lists differ between consulates in the same country?

Regional and city-specific holidays, building access, and local transport patterns can vary. Consulates tailor their closure calendars to local conditions.

How do closures affect visa and passport processing times?

Processing pauses during closures, and the first day back is often busier. Add at least one extra business day for each holiday in your processing window, and more around holiday clusters.

Are emergency services available when the mission is closed?

Typically yes, for the mission’s own citizens facing emergencies. These lines are not for routine visa inquiries or document questions.

Where can I find the official holiday schedule?

On the mission’s website, usually under “Holidays,” “Office Hours,” or the consular services section. Verify the specific city page, not just the country’s main embassy site.

Do visa application centers follow the same holiday calendar as the embassy?

Not always. Outsourced centers may operate on different days. Check both calendars if your process uses a third-party center.

What if a new public holiday is declared after I book an appointment?

Missions usually announce adjustments on their websites and by email if appointments are affected. Monitor your inbox and the official page; rescheduling instructions are typically provided.