Consuls- state agents residing abroad for various purposes but mainly in the

interest of commerce and navigation and no in political matters

Issuance of visa (permit to visit his country) and such as are designed to
protect nationals of the appointing state
Kinds of Consuls
1. Consules Missi
- Professional or career consuls who are required to devote their full time to
discharge their duties
- Nationals of the sending state
2. Consules Electi
- Perform consular functions only in addition to their regular callings
- May or may not be nationals of the sending state.
Ranks:
1. Consul-General heads of several consular districts, or one exceptionally
large consular district
2. Consul takes charge of small district or town or port
3. Vice-consul assists the consul
4. Consular agent usually entrusted with the performance of certain functions
by the consul
Duties:
1. Protection of the interests of the sending state and its national in the
receiving state
2. Promotion of the commercial, economic, cultural and scientific relations of the
sending and receiving states
3. Observation of conditions and developments in the receiving state and report
thereof to the sending state
4. Issuance of passports and other travel documents to nationals of the sending
state and visas or appropriate documents to persons wishing to travel to the
sending state
5. Supervision and inspection of vessels and aircraft of the sending state
Appointment two or more documents are necessary before the assumption of
consular functions
1. Letters Patent
2. Exequatur the authorization given to the consul by the sovereign of the
receiving state, allow him to exercise his function within the territory.
Immunities and Privileges:
1. Inviolability of their correspondence, archives and other documents
2. Freedom of movement and travel
3. Immunity from jurisdiction for acts performed in official capacity
4. Exemption from certain taxes and customs duties

Immunities and privileges are also available to the members of the consular
post, their families and their private staf

Waiver of immunities may be made by the appointing state

Termination of Consular Mission:

1. Withdrawal of the exequatur
2. Extinction of the state
3. War
4. Usual ways of terminating official relationship
Severance of consular relations does not necessarily terminate diplomatic
relations (question for the quiz)