2.3 Service staff

Service staff members should be in the domestic service of a mission. As a rule, they should be nationals of the sending State. For this category, a time limit of eight years applies for posted staff at a mission. If a staff member is reassigned to a role in a different category, the total consecutive length of service is counted.

Members of the service staff of a mission enjoy immunity when performing acts in the course of their duties (Article 37(3) of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations). Family members of the service staff of a mission are not covered by the provisions of the Vienna Conventions.