Can a US citizen be a diplomat?
Asked by: Janis McLaughlin | Last update: July 29, 2025Score: 4.2/5 (36 votes)
And while few of us will ever be named ambassador to a foreign country, every time we travel abroad or even meet a foreign citizen in the United States, we are citizen diplomats, reflecting and representing the United States.
Can a US citizen become a diplomat?
A diplomat is a public official who advocates for their country's international relationships with other countries. Steps to become a diplomat include earning at least a bachelor's degree, obtaining political work experience and passing the Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT).
Can a US citizen get a diplomatic passport?
Diplomatic passports are for: Federal employees and family members serving the United States abroad under Chief of Mission (COM) authority, Individuals whom the Department of State granted diplomatic or consular titles, and. Individuals who have diplomatic status because of their foreign mission or job.
What is a US diplomat's salary?
The average salary for a Diplomat is $121,463 per year (estimate) in United States, which is 16% higher than the average U.S. Department of State salary of $104,420 per year (estimate) for this job.
Is becoming a US diplomat hard?
Diplomats must learn one or more foreign languages during their careers. Additionally, being a diplomat requires strong analytical, organizational, and leadership skills, good judgment, and high integrity.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship for Children born to Foreign Diplomatic Officers in the U.S.
Do US diplomats pay taxes?
If you are a U.S. citizen working for the U.S. Government, including the Foreign Service, and you are stationed abroad, your income tax filing requirements are generally the same as those for citizens and residents living in the United States.
What does a black passport mean?
The blue passport book, alternately referred to as the Regular or Tourist passport, is the most commonly issued U.S. passport. Diplomatic - Black diplomatic passports are issued to Foreign Service Officers and other persons with diplomatic or comparable status.
Does the wife of a diplomat get a diplomatic passport?
Many airports have a diplomats lounge reserved especially for diplomats, their staff, and government officials. Children and spouses of diplomats are not issued diplomatic passports which can only be held by the actual diplomat.
What is a red US passport?
DoD civilians and their family members hired in the CONUS are entitled to Official Red passports. These passports are being issued at the Passport Office of the Department of State in Washington DC and the processing time is 6-8 weeks. The American Consulate General in Frankfurt cannot issue Official passports.
What privileges do diplomats have?
Diplomatic privileges and immunities include several key aspects: 1. Personal Inviolability: Diplomats enjoy personal inviolability, which means they cannot be arrested or detained by the authorities of the receiving state. This protection extends to their residences and vehicles, which cannot be searched or raided.
What is a blue list diplomat?
Diplomats accredited to the United States and having full diplomatic immunity are listed on the Department of State's Diplomatic List (Blue List). If either parent was listed on the Blue List when the applicant was born, the applicant is eligible to apply for this benefit.
Can diplomats carry guns?
Diplomats are usually unarmed and if it is necessary, will have a security detail with them when they are out and about which is sometimes the local police from the country they are working in. Some embassies have weapons stocks inside of them.
Can a US citizen get diplomatic immunity?
If you hold certain jobs, you are eligible for a diplomatic passport and must use it to enter the receiving country. But before you enter, your information is submitted by DoS to the receiving country. The receiving country decides whether to credential you with diplomatic immunity, and if so to what degree.
What does a diplomat do day to day?
PUBLIC DIPLOMACY OFFICERS build mutual understanding and support for U.S. policies by engaging directly with people in foreign countries. They communicate with people through traditional and social media, holding events, and by carrying out educational, cultural, and sports exchange programs.
What degree do most diplomats have?
A diplomat must be versed in foreign relations; therefore, the most recognizable route to a career in diplomacy is a bachelor's and then master's degree in a major like international relations, political science, cultural anthropology, sociology, or foreign policy.
Are diplomats paid well?
How much does a Diplomat make? As of Jan 20, 2025, the average annual pay for a Diplomat in the United States is $109,563 a year. Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $52.67 an hour. This is the equivalent of $2,106/week or $9,130/month.
What color passport do diplomats have?
A diplomatic passport (black) is issued to a person having diplomatic status either because of the nature of the mission or by reason of office held.
Do diplomats get permanent residency?
Congress created Section 13 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) of Sept. 11, 1957, to let people who entered the United States under diplomatic status obtain a Green Card (permanent residence).
What is the rarest passport color?
Black passport. Black is the rarest colour in passports. African countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Burundi, Gabon, Angola, Chad, Congo and Malawi use this color on their passport covers – New Zealand also has black – because black is their national colour.
What is the strongest passport?
Singapore retains its position as the world's most powerful passport, granting its holders visa-free access to 195 out of 227 global destinations – one more than last year, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index.
What does a purple passport mean?
"Is that a PURPLE passport?!” Yes! When a U.S. passport is lost or stolen abroad, our consular teams help U.S. citizens get home by issuing them an emergency passport... and they're purple!
Do US diplomats pay for housing?
Often, these accommodations are furnished. Foreign Service Officers who live in government-sponsored housing do not pay rent, nor do they pay for basic utilities, except for personal telephone service.
What can a diplomat get away with?
Diplomatic immunity means pretty much exactly what it sounds like: diplomats are immune from prosecution in their host countries, even for serious crimes like murder. Ambassadors and other diplomats are in principle still required to follow local laws. But if they don't, their host country can't prosecute them.
Is being a US diplomat prestigious?
Status and public image. Diplomats have generally been considered members of an exclusive and prestigious profession. The public image of diplomats has been described as "a caricature of pinstriped men gliding their way around a never-ending global cocktail party".