<p>I know this might be a bit trivial but exactly how strict are consulates and cell phones? I have a visa interview next week for which I need to fly to another country, so I absolutely must have my cell phone with me. I heard that you’re not allowed to bring cell phones into the building though. If I explain my case and offer to remove the battery from my phone, will they let me in?</p>
<p>Anyone have any experiences regarding this?</p>
<p>It might not be the same everywhere, but at the embassy I went to, security takes your phone before you enter the building and you receive it again when you leave. :)</p>
<p>^They do the same thing here.</p>
<p>same thing here!</p>
<p>PHEW okay then it must work here as well! If not, well, I need to get a new phone in the States anyway. Thanks for your responses!</p>
<p>Depends on the embassy/consulate/threat level of the day. Sometime they take your phone, remote car unlocker, everything electronic, etc - other days they take nothing. It doesn’t make a difference if you’re American either, everyone is subjected to the same security standards, although I would rarely trust the rent a cops that provide security in smaller consulates in the western world.</p>