A permanent diplomatic mission is typically referred to as either an Embassy or High Commission, and the head of the mission is referred to as Ambassador and High Commissioner respectively. A High Commission is a permanent residence for any diplomatic mission of a state which is member of commonwealth to a state which is a member of commonwealth. Embassy is a permanent residence for any diplomatic mission of a state which is not member of commonwealth to a state which is either a member or not a member of commonwealth.
Embassies and High commissions are located at the capital cities of the host states. Embassies and high commissions deal with sending government to host government bilateral relations. Usually Embassies and high commissions consist of a political department in charge of handling these relations and also study the policies of the host government, to report to their own governments.
Also Embassies and High Commissions include a Cultural Department responsible for the promotion of the culture of the embassy’s country or student exchange and a trade department responsible for promotion of exports to the host country.
High Commissions and Embassies may include a Consular Section, in charge of documenting, repatriating and generally assisting the nationals of the Embassy’s country as well as they issue visas to the nationals of the host country who intend to travel to the embassy’s country. They also may authenticate documents produced in the host country to be used in the embassy’s country.
What You Need To Know About High Commission
- High Commissions are diplomatic missions sent to Commonwealth countries.
- The head of diplomatic mission is referred to as High Commissioner.
- The term ‘’ high commissioner’’ is used when the sending and the receiving country both belong to the British Commonwealth.
- A high commissioner from one Commonwealth nation to another carries a simple informal letter of introduction from one head of government to that of another.
- In the British Empire, High Commissioners were envoys of the Imperial government to manage colonies and tributaries not fully under the sovereignty of the empire.
What You Need To Know About Embassy
- Embassies are diplomatic missions sent to non-Commonwealth countries.
- The head of the diplomatic mission is referred to as Ambassador.
- When either country involved is not a member of the commonwealth, the term ambassador is used in this regard.
- Ambassador carry formal letters of credence from their head of state addressed to the head of the host country.
- Since the rise of International Corporation, Ambassadors are responsible to foster good diplomatic relations between countries. He or she also works for peace and stopping of illegal activities such as terrorism, human trafficking, drug trade etc.
Also Read: Difference Between Embassy And Consulate
Difference Between Ambassador And High Commissioner In Tabular Form
| BASIS OF COMPARISON | AMBASSADOR | HIGH COMMISSIONER |
| Description | Embassies are diplomatic missions sent to non-Commonwealth countries. | High Commissions are diplomatic missions sent to Commonwealth countries. |
| Head Of Mission | The head of the diplomatic mission is referred to as Ambassador. | The head of diplomatic mission is referred to as High Commissioner. |
| Use Of The Terms | When either country involved is not a member of the commonwealth, the term ambassador is used in this regard. | The term ‘’ high commissioner’’ is used when the sending and the receiving country both belong to the British Commonwealth. |
| Introduction To The Host Country | Ambassador carry formal letters of credence from their head of state addressed to the head of the host country. | A high commissioner from one Commonwealth nation to another carries a simple informal letter of introduction from one head of government to that of another. |
| History | In the British Empire, High Commissioners were envoys of the Imperial government to manage colonies and tributaries not fully under the sovereignty of the empire. | Since the rise of International Corporation, Ambassadors are responsible to foster good diplomatic relations between countries. He or she also works for peace and stopping of illegal activities such as terrorism, human trafficking, drug trade etc. |