What are the benefits of a diplomatic passport and how does it differ from a normal passport?

Question

What are the benefits of a diplomatic passport and how does it differ from a normal passport?

Answer 1

A person with DP doesn't get any special treatment...they need Visa's just like anyone else...

It just means that they get them faster because they have already gone through the clearance steps that others have to undergo when they apply...

It doesn't give them any more privileges...if they break the law then it is between two countries as to whom is going to press the charges...that is all that there is a difference of Diplomatic Immunity or not....they need to follow the laws of the country they are in...

Answer 2

Red Carpet Treatment by international governments.  

No Tax Liability on income from outside the host country.  

You may display "CC" (Corps Consulaire) or CD (Corps Diplomatique) plates on your car so that your status is  

  known to the forces of control who may not detain you in any way.

Confidential movement and activity - Internationally.

When traveling, you may use the Diplomatic Channel at airports and will not be subject to time delaying and annoying customs checks.

Prestige beyond imagination - both professionally and socially.

Accessibility to Offshore Tax Havens for business and privacy.  

Unlimited entry and exit privilege from host country for worldwide professional or personal travel.  

You will meet top–ranking government officials and heads of state.

Diplomatic Immunity - under International Law the office and residence of diplomats are extended sovereign  

  status, as such they are off limits to all governments and their agents - even in the host country.

You will boost your business success as well as your social status and prestige.  

Many, many other Gratuities and Perks.

No travel or airport departure tax.

Free upgrades on airlines, car rental, hotels and cruises.

Priority booking on reservations and more.

http://www.diplomaticpassport.com/advant...

Answer 3

I am a diplomat and have been for 12 years.

I can confirm below, the advantages that I have had from carrying a diplomatic passport (with exequator).

Red Carpet Treatment by international governments.  

MY ANSWER:  Sometimes.

No Tax Liability on income from outside the host country.

MY ANSWER:  Yes.

You may display "CC" (Corps Consulaire) or CD (Corps Diplomatique) plates on your car so that your status is  

known to the forces of control who may not detain you in any way.

MY ANSWER:  True. I can be detained, but only until my diplomatic immunity has been confirmed. Then I would be let go.

When traveling, you may use the Diplomatic Channel at airports and will not be subject to time delaying and annoying customs checks.

MY ANSWER:  True.

Prestige beyond imagination - both professionally and socially.

Yes, it has benefits.

Accessibility to Offshore Tax Havens for business and privacy.  

MY ANSWER:  True, but I haven't used this.

Unlimited entry and exit privilege from host country for worldwide professional or personal travel.

MY ANSWER:  True.



You will meet top–ranking government officials and heads of state.

MY ANSWER:  True.

Diplomatic Immunity - under International Law the office and residence of diplomats are extended sovereign  

status, as such they are off limits to all governments and their agents - even in the host country.

MY ANSWER:  True. My home and office are inviolable.

You will boost your business success as well as your social status and prestige.  

MY ANSWER:  Social yes. But as a Diplomat, I cannot run a business in my Host Country.

No travel or airport departure tax.

MY ANSWER:  True.

Free upgrades on airlines, car rental, hotels and cruises.

MY ANSWER:  True, very often.

Priority booking on reservations and more.

MY ANSWER:  True, just send a fax from the mission in advance.

Basically, anybody who has a diplomatic passport with exequator and has not had any of the perks that I have confirmed, is not using their status correctly.

For any of you in any doubt here is some tests you can do.

1.  Call a top hotel and ask how much a room is. Then call back and ask how much a room is with a diplomatic discount. (lots of hotels have them)

2.  Call BMW or Volvo and ask about their diplomatic discounts. With no tax to pay and a diplomatic discount, I can buy 2 cars per year usually at 33% less.

FYI:

As for Exequator (Immunity). The sending state gives diplomatic credentials to the diplomat, he/she presents them to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Host Country.  They issue the Exequator (immunity) immediately or within a few months.

Furthermore "dognhorsemom", what gives you the idea that diplomats are always the first to be taken out and shot by hijackers????

Also, you mention using a Diplomatic Passport as a "casual tourist". Diplomatic Passports are for official Government business only, not tourism. Anybody using one for such is abusing it.  I know all this because I am ACTUALLY a diplomat, not just somebody googling for info.

Thank you

Answer 4

Wow, the previous answer sounds grand, but it's not accurate.

A diplomatic passport merely identifies the holder as a member of the diplomatic community.  The passport by itself does not give any special privileges, such as diplomatic immunity.  DI is only in force in the country to which the passport holder is assigned by his government.

Diplomatic passport holders -sometimes- get priority entry into the country to which they are assigned; the US is one of many that does not have or use a 'diplomatic' immigration line, so usually we simply queue up with everyone else.

Visas ARE required of diplomatic passport holders.  In fact, there are several countries (Spain, Greece, etc) which allow tourist travel visa-free, but if you use a dip passport you must have a visa, even only as a casual tourist.

Free upgrades?  Show me!  I've never been offered any upgrade due to holding a dip passport.

Diplomatic passport holders are the first to be taken out and shot by airline hijackers.