Diplomatic Affairs Division

Diplomatic Affairs Division

The Diplomatic Affairs Division assists the Chief of Protocol in serving as the President’s personal representative and liaison to Chiefs of Mission and Heads of Delegations in the United States. The Division is responsible for maintaining the foreign Diplomatic Corps Order of Precedence for bilateral foreign Chiefs of Mission, Heads of Delegation, and Chargés d’affaires, and the publication of the foreign Diplomatic List. The Division coordinates all activities associated with the accreditation of bilateral Chiefs of Mission, Heads of Delegation, Chargés d’affaires and Deputy Chiefs of Mission and their dependents. As part of these duties, it also oversees matters relating to privileges and immunities and issuance of the appropriate credentials for these individuals. The Division directs the agrément process for new bilateral Chiefs of Mission and Heads of Delegation, including arrivals and presentations of credentials to the President at the White House. The Diplomatic Affairs Division serves as an overall liaison for the diplomatic community and handles problems that may arise in the Department’s relations with foreign diplomatic missions. Additionally, the Division implements the Department’s oversight program for foreign domestic workers employed by foreign mission personnel, including the pre-notification process, the In-person Registration Program, and the issuance of domestic worker registration cards. In coordination with the Office of Foreign Missions, the division provides advice and assistance to diplomatic missions regarding the establishment of new missions. On matters of common concern, this advice and assistance includes other federal agencies, the Government of the District of Columbia, and state and local government authorities.