Can an Honorary Consul purchase a duty free vehicle and acquire diplomatic number plates for private or official use?
No. Under UK law Honorary Consuls are not entitled to purchase duty free vehicles or acquire diplomatic number plates.
How can the appointment of an Honorary Consul be requested by a non-resident Mission?
All requests by non-resident Missions should be sent to Protocol Directorate via British Embassies/High Commissions overseas.
Can a sending State open an Honorary Consulate in London when it already has a functioning Embassy or High Commission?
No. Protocol Directorate expects that a member of the Embassy or High Commission staff would undertake duties in the London area.
Can a sending State appoint an Honorary Consul-General?
No. Since 1988, the Directorate no longer accepts the appointment of Honorary Consul-Generals unless this is provided for in a bilateral consular convention.
In what other cases will Protocol Directorate immediately decline the appointment of an Honorary Consul?
The Directorate will decline appointments made for status reasons alone (e.g. as an honour) or where there could be a conflict of interest (e.g. a UK Member of Parliament or UK government official).
Can an Honorary Consul be a national of a country other than the United Kingdom or the sending state?
Yes. They can be of any nationality so long as they are a permanent UK resident and live a short distance from the location of the Honorary Consulate.
Do Honorary Consul appointments have to be renewed?
No. But Protocol Directorate encourages Missions to submit a Note every 5 years to renew the term of their Honorary Consuls.
Do Honorary Consuls have to inform Protocol Directorate if they are making an official visit to an area outside their consular district?
Yes. Protocol Directorate should be notified by a Note Verbale. Receipt of the Note will be acknowledged and permission given if requested.
Is an Honorary Consul exempt from paying Council Tax?
No. An Honorary Consul must be a permanent resident of the United Kingdom, and as such is not exempt.
How many Honorary Consuls are there in London?
There are presently 14 Honorary Consuls in London representing non-resident Missions.
How many Career and Honorary Consuls are there in the United Kingdom?
A list of Career and Honorary Consuls can be found here