Diplomatic Security Special Agent Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master the DSSAT!

Diplomatic immunity is a privilege granted by the sending state to its representative, preserved by the receiving state so the diplomat can carry out official functions without coercive interference. The authority to waive that immunity does not reside with the host country or with the diplomat themselves; it rests solely with the sending state. If the sending state chooses to allow prosecution or civil action in the host country for a specific matter, it can explicitly waive immunity for that case. If not, immunity stands.

So, the only entity that can grant a waiver is the sending state. The host country cannot unilaterally grant immunity waivers, the diplomat cannot waive their own immunity, and the United Nations does not have authority to waive an individual diplomat’s immunity.