Consular Corps representatives serve the citizens of their nations and facilitate business, trade, education, cultural and international understanding between their respective countries and the Commonwealth.
The Consular Corps in Boston consists of about 25 career consular offices and 35 honorary offices. Career consular officers are appointed by their heads of state and are full-time servants of their government. Honorary Consular officers are United States citizens and need not be the nationality of the country they serve. Generally, they are appointed to provide representation in areas not covered by career consular officers. All career and honorary consular officials are accredited by the U.S. Department of State in accordance with the terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
The duties and responsibilities of the Consul General are set forth in the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations. These duties include: protecting the interests of their citizens while in the United States; services on behalf of the country; visa issuance; the promotion of trade and commerce between countries; and cultural and educational activities.