Privileges and Immunities Unit services

The Privileges and Immunities Unit is responsible for the following services:

• Work authorizations – processing requests to enable accredited family members to access the Canadian labour market
• New missions and posts – processing requests for the opening of new diplomatic missions and consular posts, and providing guidance on the closure of missions/posts
• Property – processing requests for the purchase/lease, construction and redevelopent of diplomatic/consular properties and official residences, and providing guidance on the full spectrum of property transactions
• Vehicles – providing guidance on the scope of privileges and other courtesies applicable in the areas of motor vehicle registration, driving and parking
• Taxation, customs clearance and duties – providing guidance on eligible rebates pertaining to property taxes, the Federal Excise Tax (FET), and the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST); processing requests for special promotional events to be held outside diplomatic/consular premises
• Signing authorities – updating the list of accredited foreign representatives with delegated authority on matters of importation
• Diplomatic bags – providing guidance on diplomatic and consular bags and related screening exemptions; reviewing related complaints
• Elections and voting stations – processing requests for polling stations both inside and outside diplomatic/consular premises
• Legal proceedings – providing key information regarding court proceedings involving foreign missions/posts and their accredited representatives, including on Certificates pursuant to the Foreign Missions and International Organizations Act.

The Office of Protocol cannot provide any information regarding the processing time for any application as this depends on the circumstances of each application and the volume of requests in queue. Inquiries in the remit of the Privileges and Immunities Unit should be emailed to xdc-pi@international.gc.ca.

In order to focus on its mandate, the Privileges and Immunities Unit cannot:

• Assist in the processing of post-graduation work permits. Questions to be directed to the Immigration Liaison Unit of the Office of Protocol.
• Facilitate provincial retail sales taxes rebates and provide guidance on other matters within the exclusive legislative mandate of the provinces and territories. Questions to be directed to the Provincial and Territorial Offices of Protocol.
• Address security concerns relating to the installation of voting stations. Questions to be directed to the Diplomatic Security Liaison Unit of the Office of Protocol
• Redirect enquiries to IRCC, CBSA or the CRA on matters outside the Office of Protocol’s mandate, or assisting in expediting various applications.