De facto embassy - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

A de facto embassy is an office or organisation that serves de facto

De facto

De facto is a Latin expression that means "concerning fact." In law, it often means "in practice but not necessarily ordained by law" or "in practice or actuality, but not officially established." It is commonly used in contrast to de jure when referring to matters of law, governance, or...

as an embassy

Diplomatic mission

A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one state or an international inter-governmental organisation present in another state to represent the sending state/organisation in the receiving state...

in lack of regular/official diplomatic relations among countries (thus paradiplomacy

Paradiplomacy

The concept of paradiplomacy refers to the international relations conducted by subnational, regional, local or non-central governments on their own, with a view to promoting their own interests. This feature appears to be an aspect of the overall process of globalisation, under which a number of...

). Diplomatic immunity

Diplomatic immunity

Diplomatic immunity is a form of legal immunity and a policy held between governments that ensures that diplomats are given safe passage and are considered not susceptible to lawsuit or prosecution under the host country's laws...

and extraterritoriality

Extraterritoriality

Extraterritoriality is the state of being exempt from the jurisdiction of local law, usually as the result of diplomatic negotiations. Extraterritoriality can also be applied to physical places, such as military bases of foreign countries, or offices of the United Nations...

are usually not granted.

In many cases, these organisations represent nations which lack full diplomatic recognition or regions with disputed borders. For instance, many countries maintain formal diplomatic relations with the PRC

People's Republic of China

China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...

but operate unofficial 'trade missions' or 'representative offices' in Taipei to deal with Taiwan-related commercial and consular issues

Foreign relations of the Republic of China

The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, is recognized by sovereign states. The course of the foreign relations of the ROC is dominated by maintaining diplomatic relations with these countries, as well as unofficial relations with other countries via its de facto embassies and...

. Often, these delegations may forward visa applications to their nearest embassy or consulate rather than processing them locally.

France

France

The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...

maintains a "French Institute" in Taipei, whose first apparent purpose is "cultural," but which also has consular and economic sections, as does the United Kingdom

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...

's British Trade and Cultural Office. Similarly, Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

(ROC) maintains Taipei Economic and Cultural Offices or Taipei Representative Offices in other countries, which handle visa applications as well as relations with local authorities.

In some cases, nations which have no direct bilateral ties will be represented by an "interests section" housed as part of the embassy of a third-country

Protecting power

A protecting power is a state which somehow protects another state, and/or represents the interests of the protected state's citizens in a third state....

recognised by both; for instance, the United States of America is nominally represented by the Swiss

Switzerland

Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....

embassy in both Iran

Iran

Iran , officially the Islamic Republic of Iran , is a country in Southern and Western Asia. The name "Iran" has been in use natively since the Sassanian era and came into use internationally in 1935, before which the country was known to the Western world as Persia...

and Cuba

Cuba

The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...

, with the corresponding delegations to the US housed as part of recognised Swiss or Pakistan

Pakistan

Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...

i diplomatic missions.

In the British

United Kingdom

Commonwealth of Nations

The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...

, a High Commission

High Commissioner (Commonwealth)

In the Commonwealth of Nations, a High Commissioner is the senior diplomat in charge of the diplomatic mission of one Commonwealth government to another.-History:...

is an embassy in all but name, but is formally titled to reflect a less-than-foreign status insofar that (for instance) the Queen of Australia in her rôle as head of state

Head of State

A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...

of the Commonwealth of Australia has no need to be represented diplomatically to the Queen of Canada as both are indeed the same person

Personal union

A personal union is the combination by which two or more different states have the same monarch while their boundaries, their laws and their interests remain distinct. It should not be confused with a federation which is internationally considered a single state...

. While representing a head of government

Head of government

Head of government is the chief officer of the executive branch of a government, often presiding over a cabinet. In a parliamentary system, the head of government is often styled prime minister, chief minister, premier, etc...

instead of a head of state

Head of State

, a High Commissioner within the British Empire

British Empire

The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...

and Commonwealth dominions

Dominion

A dominion, often Dominion, refers to one of a group of autonomous polities that were nominally under British sovereignty, constituting the British Empire and British Commonwealth, beginning in the latter part of the 19th century. They have included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland,...

has the full rank and all privileges of an accredited ambassador

Ambassador

An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....

.

The Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama

The Tibet Religious Foundation of His Holiness the Dalai Lama is a non-profit, non-governmental organisation, founded in 1997 and based in Taipei, Taiwan....

has been called "the de facto embassy of the exiled government in Taiwan" by Taipei Times

Taipei Times

The Taipei Times is one of the three major English-language newspapers in the Republic of China the other two being the Taiwan News and The China Post...

chief staff reporter Loa lok sin.

List

Country	Mission	Status
⇒	Canadian Trade Office Canadian Trade Office in Taipei The Canadian Trade Office in Taipei is Canada's representation in the Republic of China .- History :Canada and the People's Republic of China signed a joint communiqué marking the establishment of diplomatic relations on October 13, 1970... * (CTOT), Kaohsiung Kaohsiung Kaohsiung is a city located in southwestern Taiwan, facing the Taiwan Strait on the west. Kaohsiung, officially named Kaohsiung City, is divided into thirty-eight districts. The city is one of five special municipalities of the Republic of China... , Republic of China, established 1986	Foreign relations of the Republic of China Foreign relations of the Republic of China The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, is recognized by sovereign states. The course of the foreign relations of the ROC is dominated by maintaining diplomatic relations with these countries, as well as unofficial relations with other countries via its de facto embassies and...
⇒	Cuban Interests Section Cuban Interests Section The Cuban Interests Section in Washington, DC is the diplomatic mission of the Republic of Cuba to the United States.It is located at 2639 16th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C... * of the Embassy of Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... in Washington, D.C.	Cuba – United States relations
⇒	French Institute in Taipei	Foreign relations of the Republic of China Foreign relations of the Republic of China The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, is recognized by sovereign states. The course of the foreign relations of the ROC is dominated by maintaining diplomatic relations with these countries, as well as unofficial relations with other countries via its de facto embassies and...
⇒	India-Taipei Association	India–Republic of China relations
⇒	Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the United States The Interests Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the United States is a part of the embassy of Pakistan in Washington, D.C., and is the de facto diplomatic representation of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the United States.... * at the Embassy of Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan... in Washington.	Iran – United States relations
⇒	Interchange Association (財団法人交流協会) Interchange Association, Japan The serves as the representative office of Japan in Taiwan. The establishment of diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China in 1972 required termination of diplomatic relations with the Republic of China... serves as the representative office.	Republic of China – Japan relations
⇒	General Association of Korean Residents in Japan Chongryon The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan , abbreviated to Chongryon The General Association of Korean Residents in Japan (Chae Ilbon Chosŏnin Ch'ongryŏnhaphoe in Korean or Zai-Nihon Chōsenjin Sōrengōkai in Japanese), abbreviated to Chongryon The General Association of Korean Residents... , North Korea's de facto embassy in Japan	Japan–Korea relations
⇒	TRNC Representative Office to the US*	Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, due to its unrecognized status internationally, is dependent on Turkey to facilitate its contacts with the international community...
⇒	TRNC Representative Office in New York*	Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, due to its unrecognized status internationally, is dependent on Turkey to facilitate its contacts with the international community...
⇒ various nations	Multiple missions of Northern Cyprus*	Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus Foreign relations of Northern Cyprus The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, due to its unrecognized status internationally, is dependent on Turkey to facilitate its contacts with the international community...
⇒ various nations	Palestine general delegation, special delegation or mission*	Foreign relations of Palestine
⇒	Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits The Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits is an organization set up by the People's Republic of China for handling technical or business matters with the Republic of China ....	Sino-Pacific relations Sino-Pacific relations Oceania is, to the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China , a stage for continuous diplomatic competition. The One China Policy dictates that no state can diplomatically recognize the sovereignty of both the PRC and the ROC. As of 2009, eight states in Oceania recognise the PRC, and...
⇒ various nations	Missions of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic	Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic Foreign relations of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic The Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic is the government in exile claiming sovereignty of the former Spanish colony of Western Sahara. The Polisario Front, the national liberation movement that administers the SADR, currently controls the area that it calls the Liberated territories, a strip of...
⇒	Straits Exchange Foundation Straits Exchange Foundation The Straits Exchange Foundation is a semi-official organization set up by the Republic of China government to handle technical or business matters with the People's Republic of China...	Foreign relations of the Republic of China Foreign relations of the Republic of China The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, is recognized by sovereign states. The course of the foreign relations of the ROC is dominated by maintaining diplomatic relations with these countries, as well as unofficial relations with other countries via its de facto embassies and...
⇒ various nations with diplomatic ties to	Taipei Representative Office Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office A Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office , sometimes known as a Taipei Economic and Cultural Office or a Taipei Representative Office , is a representative office, established by the Republic of China in countries that have diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China... *	Foreign relations of the Republic of China Foreign relations of the Republic of China The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, is recognized by sovereign states. The course of the foreign relations of the ROC is dominated by maintaining diplomatic relations with these countries, as well as unofficial relations with other countries via its de facto embassies and...
⇒	British Trade and Cultural Office*	Foreign relations of the Republic of China Foreign relations of the Republic of China The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan, is recognized by sovereign states. The course of the foreign relations of the ROC is dominated by maintaining diplomatic relations with these countries, as well as unofficial relations with other countries via its de facto embassies and...
⇒	United States Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland United States Interests Section in Havana The U.S. Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay is inaccessible from within Cuba. Consular issues regarding the naval base are handled by the U.S. Embassy in Kingston, Jamaica.-Location:... * in Havana Havana Havana is the capital city, province, major port, and leading commercial centre of Cuba. The city proper has a population of 2.1 million inhabitants, and it spans a total of — making it the largest city in the Caribbean region, and the most populous... , Cuba (USINT Havana)	Cuba – United States relations
⇒	US Interests Section of the Embassy of Switzerland Switzerland Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition.... * in Iran	Iran – United States relations
⇒	American Institute in Taiwan American Institute in Taiwan The American Institute in Taiwan is a non-profit, public corporation established under the auspices of the United States government to serve its interests in Taiwan... (AIT), established 1979, a non-profit private corporation	Republic of China – United States relations

_{Key:*: Government organization; flag positioned left: country of origin ("sending"); flag positioned right: location}

List

See also