The Privileges and Immunities Section manages the registration of arrivals/changes/departures of embassy and consular staff; issues FDFA legitimation cards; handles the opening and closing of consular posts; conducts personnel checks, handles the exequatur procedure for heads of consular posts and the approval (agrément) of military attachés.
It monitors the application of the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic and Consular Relations, privileges and immunities, legal status, reciprocity, violations of Swiss law, prevention of abuses, and debt collection. It provides information and issues guidelines on these matters.
Together with the competent authorities, it coordinates security, customs and tax privileges, legal issues, property issues, visa requests in accordance with Art. 16 ERO, CD/AT/CC vehicle registration and access to the Swiss job market.
It draws up and administers the List of Members of the Diplomatic Corps, the List of Members of the Consular Corps in Switzerland and the Privileges and Immunities web page for diplomatic missions and consular posts in Switzerland, and members of their staff, their families and private household employees.