Responsibilities of the Consular Division

Typically, as a Consular Officer within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or a Mission, your duties will entail guiding clients with respect to the following functions:

  • Provide visa information to foreign nationals travelling to your country
  • Offer guidance with respect to Passport applications, renewals and issuing Emergency Certificates
  • Make available and give guidance on Citizenship and renunciation of citizenship applications
  • Authentication, notarial services
  • Performing representational duties and attending events, including Diaspora-related activities
  • Promoting economic, commercial and cultural activities on behalf of country

The Establishment of Consular Offices/Honorary Consulates in the Federation

  1. The Consent of the Government of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is required prior to the establishment of a Consular Office/Honorary Consulate.
  2. The seat of the Consular Office/Honorary Consulate and its classification are proposed by the sending state and are subject to the approval of the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis

Appointment of Honorary Consul of St. Kitts and Nevis

(Sending State) to a Receiving State

  1. A Verbal note is forwarded to the receiving state informing of the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis’ intent to appoint the name of the person as Honorary Consul to the receiving state.
  2. The receiving state would then give consent/approval or Agrément to this appointment via Diplomatic Note, together with a copy of exequatur signed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and gives full accreditation to the appointed Honorary Consul.
  3. The Sending state (St. Kitts and Nevis) would subsequently request a proposed date and time for the presentation of credentials to which the receiving state would comply.
  4. A letter of Commission/Letter of Credence (please see Annex 4) would then be drafted and signed by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Aviation, and forwarded to the appointed individual in order to be presented to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Receiving state.

Appointment and Admission of Heads of Consular Offices

  1. The sending State will ensure that is nominee for the post of Honorary Consul has adequate logistical support to carry out his/her consular responsibilities
  2. The Nominee for the post Honorary Consul in Saint Kitts and Nevis shall be a national of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis.  The nominee may also be a national of the Sending State who a lawful right of permanent residence in the Federation.
  3. Approval of the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is required for the appointment of a Head of Consular Office/Honorary Consulate. Once the approval of the Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis is communicated to the Sending State, the latter is free to appoint its nominee.
  4. On receipt of the Exequatur from the Ministry the Appointment can exercise his/her functions in the Federation.

Diplomatic Missions exercising consular functions 

In accordance with Article 70 of Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (VCCR), a Diplomatic Mission may exercise consular functions.  The names of members of the diplomatic Mission assigned to the consular section or otherwise charged with the exercise of the consular functions of the Mission shall be notified to the Ministry.

Privileges of Honorary Consular Officers

The Regime relating to Honorary Consular Officers and Consular posts headed by such officers is defined in Chapter III of the VCCR.  The following facilities are extended to Honorary Consular Officers by the Ministry in Saint Kitts.

  1. Identity Card
  2. A limited quantity of duty free drinks for national Day/Festival Receptions held in Saint Kitts and Nevis by a Honorary Consul on behalf of an accredited non-resident Ambassador of the Sending State and during official visits of Heads of State.