What Is a Consulate

Workshop for DFCS

WHAT IS A CONSULATE

A consulate is the home and the offices of a consul, who is a representative of a foreign government, similar to an ambassador. Consuls assist their countrymen while abroad, and they may issue visas and participate in other activities which are intended to facilitate friendly relations between their home and host nations.

A country usually has onlyone embassy in a foreign country, typically located in that nation's capital, while consulates can be found in numerous cities

The title Consul is used for the official representatives through the hearing of the government of one state and in the territory of another, normally acting to assist and protect the citizens of the consul's own country, and to facilitate trade and friendship betweenthe people of the country to whom he or she is accredited and the country of which he or she is a representative. Consul is not similar to an Ambassador. The duty of the consul is different than the duties of an ambassador. This distinguishes the consul from the ambassador, who is, technically, a representative from one head of state to another. While there can be but one ambassador of a givencountry in another country, representing the first country's head of state to that of the second, and his or her duties revolve around diplomatic relations between the two countries, there may be several consuls, one in each of several main cities, providing assistance with bureaucratic issues to both the citizens of the consul's own country travelling or living abroad, and to the citizens of thecountry the consul resides in who wish to travel to or trade with the consul's country.
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WHAT ARE THE PURPOSES OF CONSULATES

• Document nationals that are in the receiving country
• Issue all documents that are to have effect in the country of origin
• Protect and assist nationals that are in the receiving country

WHICH ARE THE 4 MAIN OR CORE ACTIVITIES/RESPONSABILITIES THATARE CONSULATE

• Documentation- issuing passports, Visas, Document American children who have been born in the USA- Double nationality***
• Assist the receiving country in any legal matter that the authorities of the receiving country may request-ex deportation
• Issue legal documents that well be legally enforced in the country of origin- Power of attorneys- Affidavits,legalizations ect.
• Promote cultural and commercial relationship between both countries
• Protect and assist its nationals in any possible manner- sick persons, detainees, children, abuse, family reunification, etc-

WHO WORKS AT A CONSULATE

• Official Appointees- (Diplomats or Consular Officers)
• and Consular employees

WHICH AUTHORITIES EMPOWERS THE CONSULATES TOOPERATE

• The government of the country of origin
• The receiving country according
• The Vienna Convention Treaty signed by the USA in 1963 but ratified until 1969 under the Nixon Administration

HOW

• Officers are appointed by their government,
• Authorized and approved by the government of the receiving country,
• Recognized and registered by the Department ofState or similar authority.

They bear what is called Carta Patente- or Exaquatur which is a document that entitles them to execute the powers that have been bestow upon them

The Ambassador’s and Consul General’s authority is never questioned

WAT IS THE VIENNA CONVENTION

A document - A TREATY- that establishes and defines the mission, functions of the consular agent, the obligations,rights, privileges and immunities of the consular agent; and the obligations of the receiving country among other matters

One of the most important responsibilities of the consul is to protect the nationals of the sending state. Article 5(e) provides that consular functions include "helping and assisting nationals, both individuals and bodies corporate, of the sending State."

The Vienna...