The Guide to Diplomatic Missions
Diplomatic Guide in Turkey aims to inform the members of diplomatic and consular missions and international organizations throughout their tenure in Turkey on certain basic procedures to be followed as well as privileges and immunities. Turkey is hosting 128 Embassies, 94 Consulates General and Consulates, 450 Honorary Consulates and offices of 46 International Organizations. There are around 5669 people in Turkey entitled to different levels of privileges and immunities. The Protocol Department of the Ministry has been actively supporting the members of the Missions in improving their living and working environment. In accordance with the international practice, the privileges and immunities enjoyed by the Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts and International Organizations and their members in Turkey are based on the principle of reciprocity, and governed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) of 1961, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR) of 1963, related UN Conventions and host country agreements with the International Organizations as well as the relevant Turkish Law. This Guide is compiled from legal documents, rules and regulations and practices of Turkey. However, it should be considered as a reference and a set of general guidelines for Diplomatic Missions, Consular Posts and International Organizations in Turkey, rather than a legally binding document. Further reference should be made to the Circular Notes sent by the Ministry, application forms and other information available at Diplomatic Portal.
General Information
DIPLOMATIC MISSIONS
Regarding the diplomatic immunities and privileges, in conformity with the provisions of 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR), the members of the Diplomatic Missions are considered in three categories.
• Diplomatic staff members
• (Those listed in the List of Diplomatic Corps/holders of 1st category ID cards),
• Administrative-technical staff members,
• Service staff members.
The type of passport and/or title and duty of a member of a foreign mission are among the factors indicating the category of the person concerned in accordance with the VCDR and Turkish legislation as well as on the basis of reciprocity. Nevertheless, it is at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' (hereinafter referred to as the Ministry) discretion to determine or change the category and to clarify the status of a member.
CONSULAR POSTS
In conformity with the provisions of 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), the staff members of the Consular Posts are considered in three categories.
• Consular Officers
• Consular employee (administrative-technical)
• Members of the service staff
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
The members of the international organizations are considered in three categories.
• International staff
• Administrative-technical staff members,
• Service staff members.
The immunities and privileges of the members of Representations of International Organizations accredited to Turkey shall be limited to those envisaged in the host country agreements and the international conventions to which Turkey is a party.
FAMILY MEMBERS
The provisions of the VCDR (Article 37) do not explicitly define the term “family member” and therefore each State has its own interpretation. For further details on the issue, please look at the ID cards section.