Europe
Holy See
- Capital
- Vatican City
- Population
- 921
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Calling code
- +379
- Languages
- Latin, Italian, French
- 1mission
- 1embassy
Holy See
Embassies and consulates in the Holy See
embassies in Vatican City
The Holy See hosts 1 foreign mission from 1 country: 1 embassy. The only embassy is in the capital, Vatican City.
By country
-
Switzerland 1 embassy1
Entering the Holy See
Holy See visa guide · 1 visa type
The Holy See has no visa regime of its own. Visitors reach it through Italy, so the Italian and Schengen entry rules for their passport apply.
Visa statistics
US visas issued to citizens of the Holy See
| Visas issued | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor (B) | 7 | 5 |
| Transit and crew (C, D) | 0 | 1 |
| Diplomatic and official (A, G) | 16 | 17 |
| Total | 23 | 23 |
| B visa refusal rate (adjusted) | 0.0% | 0.0% |
In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) the United States issued 23 nonimmigrant visas to citizens of the Holy See, the 202nd highest number of the 206 nationalities listed. Diplomatic and official visas (A, G) made up 74%, visitor visas 22% and transit and crew visas 4%. The total was about the same in fiscal year 2024.
From October 2025 to February 2026, citizens of the Holy See received 12, about as many as in the same months a year earlier.
For visitor visas (B1/B2) the State Department reports an adjusted refusal rate of 0.0% for citizens of the Holy See in fiscal year 2025 (fiscal year 2024: 0.0%).
Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances up to February 2026 and adjusted refusal rates (public domain). US fiscal years run from October to September. How these figures are made
The Holy See’s own missions abroad
The Holy See’s embassies abroad (88)
In the other direction, the Holy See runs 88 missions in 85 countries. Its largest networks are in Israel (2), Iraq (2) and the United States (2).
Upcoming closures
Public holidays in the Holy See
-
Immaculate Conception
-
Christmas Day
-
St. Stephen's Day
-
Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God
Good to know
Where the embassies are
The only embassy is in the capital, Vatican City.
Travel advice for the Holy See
Foreign ministries’ advice on travel to the Holy See: the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the Holy See (updated 13 October 2026). The advice is aimed at each government’s own nationals.
Frequently asked questions
When are embassies in the Holy See closed?
On the Holy See’s public holidays and on each mission’s own national day; the next public holiday is Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione) on Tuesday 8 December 2026.