WHO WE ARE
Founded in 2001, the Utah Consular Corps is an organization consisting of Career and Honorary Consuls. They are members of a country’s Foreign Service or are local residents that have been appointed by a foreign government to perform consular duties. These representatives are appointed by the Heads of State of their respective countries and are duly accredited by the United States Department of State. This accreditation allows them to act in their official capacities within the United States.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to foster diplomacy and strong, cooperative relationships between Utah and the rest of the world.
OUR VISION
We will work diligently to be present in our community and serve as a connection to the world while bringing prosperity to the countries that we represent, as well as the State of Utah. Our goal is to become one of the States with the most honorary and career consuls representing nations around the world, furthering diplomacy and fostering friendship based upon mutual interests. Through this, we will be a conduit for business, educational, and cultural endeavors.
WHAT WE DO
Founded in 2001, the Utah Consular Corps was formed to specifically address the demands of the 2002 Winter Olympics, but continues to serve the following purposes:
Founded in 2001, the Utah Consular Corps is an organization consisting of Career and Honorary Consuls. They are members of a country’s Foreign Service or are local residents that have been appointed by a foreign government to perform consular duties. These representatives are appointed by the Heads of State of their respective countries and are duly accredited by the United States Department of State. This accreditation allows them to act in their official capacities within the United States.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to foster diplomacy and strong, cooperative relationships between Utah and the rest of the world.
OUR VISION
We will work diligently to be present in our community and serve as a connection to the world while bringing prosperity to the countries that we represent, as well as the State of Utah. Our goal is to become one of the States with the most honorary and career consuls representing nations around the world, furthering diplomacy and fostering friendship based upon mutual interests. Through this, we will be a conduit for business, educational, and cultural endeavors.
WHAT WE DO
Founded in 2001, the Utah Consular Corps was formed to specifically address the demands of the 2002 Winter Olympics, but continues to serve the following purposes:
- Foster relationships between Utah residents, foreign consular officers, and citizens of foreign countries
- Foster cooperation of Utah consuls with Utah-based international cultural, athletic, civic, and economic events
- Increase communication and fellowship among the foreign consular officers serving in Utah
- Serve as a resource to inform the Consuls and the public about consular duties, responsibilities, and practices
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the primary responsibilities of a consular officer?
Consular Officers develop economic, commercial, scientific and cultural relationships between their respective country of representation and the area in which they serve. Consular officers also safeguard the interests of the country of origin and its citizens traveling or resident in their present consular district.
What kind of work does a consular officer prepare & perform?
- Promoting commerce through trade, technology transfer and bilateral investments
- Facilitate scientific, academic, cultural, business and professional exchanges
- Arrange official visits to their representative countries as well as respective visiting officials to the consular's district
- Provide useful economic, social, cultural and tourist information about their country of representation
- Issuing passports and other official documents
- Issuing visas to the country of origin
- Assisting travelers in distress, especially when facing problems with local law enforcement or immigration authorities
- Signing death certificates
- Legalizing or delivering official documents
How do I become a consul?
- Embassies must submit a diplomatic note to request approval from The Department of State’s Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) to establish a new consular post headed by an honorary consular officer. The note must contain a detailed justification for the request.
- To be eligible for appointment as an honorary consular officer, and to retain such status, a person must:
- be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (LPR);
- not hold an office of profit or trust with the U.S. Government or a position with a state, county, or other municipality of the United States and which is considered by such entity to be incompatible with the duties of an honorary consular officer;
- obtain permission from the Secretary of the Department concerned, if he or she holds a commission as a Reserve Officer in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces;
- reside full-time in the area where the embassy is requesting representation; and
- be age 21 or over.
- OFM expects that foreign governments will seek to nominate individuals of good standing and reputation in the community.
- The Department will review the complete application package and provide its approval or denial in a diplomatic note to the Embassy.