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International Relations & Diplomacy vocabulary · Diplomacy & Embassies

Consulate

Meaning in international relations & diplomacy, with examples

/ˈkɒnsjələt/nounCore term

In international relations & diplomacy, consulate means: An office of a country in a foreign city that helps its own citizens there, issues visas and documents, and supports trade; it is led by a consul or consul general.

In Turkish: konsolosluk, başkonsolosluk

How it is used

Consulates deal with practical matters: passports, visas, births, deaths and citizens in difficulty. A larger one is a 'consulate general'. Consular relations are governed by the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963).

Example sentences

  1. You need to apply for the visa at the consulate in Istanbul, not at the embassy in Ankara.

  2. The consulate issued him an emergency travel document.

  3. The consulate general also runs a busy trade office.

Common collocations

  • consulate general
  • consular section
  • apply at the consulate
  • honorary consulate
  • consular services
  • embassyThe main official mission of one country in another country's capital, led by an ambassador; also the building where this mission works.
  • diplomatAn official who represents their country abroad or in international organisations, handling relations, negotiations and the protection of their country's interests and citizens.
  • ambassadorThe highest-ranking diplomat who represents their country in another country or at an international organisation, usually as head of an embassy or permanent mission.
  • attachéA member of an embassy's staff who specialises in a particular area, such as defence, trade, culture or press; in many foreign services also the most junior diplomatic rank.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Diplomacy & Embassies

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