Consular Corps of British Columbia

The Consular Corps, based mainly in Vancouver is the official body comprising all Consular Officers resident in the Province of British Columbia, representing seventy-one countries. Some Consular Officers also have jurisdiction in other provinces and territories.

Consular Officers are ranked as follows:

• Consuls General;
• Consuls;
• Vice-Consuls;
• and Consular Agents.

The post or head office of a Consular Office is referred to as a Consulate General, Consulate, Vice-Consulate or Consular Agency. A Canadian citizen residing in British Columbia may be appointed as an Honourary Consular Officer.

Generally speaking, Consular Officers perform the following functions:

• Represent their country and promote their country's trade within the Consular District;
• Assist and protect nationals of the country they represent;
• Explain their country's policies and achievements in fields such as culture and tourist attractions;
• Protect their country's shipping interests, legalize ship's papers, assist their country's seamen in distress and adjudicate on certain shipping matters; and
• Administer oaths, legalize foreign documents and issue passports, visas and certificates.

A list of all countries represented in British Columbia can be found here, along with specific information on each country.