Originally Posted by
SJOGuy
I understand that. I have run across unhelpful consulates too, but I've also run across helpful ones. My point is that it's a logical place to start to look for info about entry requirements, visa or no visa. I didn't get his "What possessed you to call ... " comment.
It might be helpful if a consulate published entry requirements, but I fear that any spoken information that one could get by phone would not be binding or necessarily correct. Think of all the airline and hotel reservation agents who just make up answers to end the call.......
At best, you might be able to clarify instructions regarding how to apply for a visa through that particular consulate.
The answers could also resemble those given by visa service agencies, who always have a strong incentive to tell everyone to get a visa because they profit from the associated fees.