Diplomatic Passport

Diplomatic passport: There is this myth about having a diplomatic passport and there is also a plenty of misinformation about diplomacy, diplomatic immunity and diplomatic passports. However, a diplomatic passport does not grant automatically diplomatic privileges and immunity.

According to the the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations done at Vienna on 18. april 1961 diplomatic immunity is related to the diplomatic post. Therefore the international community and the regulations of the UN-Convention assure diplomatic immunity irrispective of a diplomatic passport. The states have agreed according to the convention to recognize the status of diplomatic agents. If the sending state appoints a diplomatic representative, the receiving state will be informed about the appointment/nomination and will recognize the diplomatic priviliges to protect the diplomat. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Article 10) of the receiving state shall be notified of the appointment of members of the diplomatic corps. The diplomatic agent of course gets several credentials like a Letter of Nomination, a Letter of Credence and usually also a diplomatic passport.

The diplomatic passport is important if a diplomatic agent passes through or is in the territory of a third State, which has granted him a passport visa if such visa was necessary, while proceeding to take up or to return to his post, or when returning to his own country, the third State shall accord him inviolability and such other immunities as may be required to ensure his transit or return. The same shall apply in the case of any members of his family enjoying privileges or immunities who are accompanying the diplomatic agent, or travelling separately to join him or to return to their country. A diplomatic passport is therefore issued for the purpose of international travel in order to certify the identity of its holder. Although most diplomats with diplomatic immunity carry diplomatic passports, having a diplomatic passport is not the equivalent of having diplomatic immunity. A grant of diplomatic status, a privilege of which is diplomatic immunity, has to come from the government of the country in relation to which diplomatic status is claimed.

The 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations outlines the rules of diplomatic law. The Convention codifies the rules for the exchange and treatment of envoys between states, which have been firmly established in customary law for hundreds of years. It has become an almost universally adopted Convention with 179 states party to it.

We often act on behalf of governments in order to find and recommend highly qualified individuals who could represent the nation’s interests as member of the diplomatic corps, as Honorary Consul or as representative to specialized agencies of the United Nations. The states are seeking for representatives with the power, the will, and the moral impetus to promote the nation’s interests in accordance to its own values. The candidate shall introduce a modern approach to international relations, motivated by the national interests as its ultimate purpose. Our goal is to support the achievement of foreign policy goals and objectives of several governments through our small network, advance national interests, and enhance diplomatic relations by seeking diplomatic representatives and by strengthening the relationship between the government’s officials and the diplomatic representatives.

Further information: Diplomatic F.A.Q.

Further information about Honorary Consulship

Vacancy: Diplomatic representatives and Honorary Consuls

Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations

Vienna Convetion on Consular Relations

Vienna Convention on the privileges and immunities of the United Nations / Specialized Agencies

United Nations treaty-collection