Heads of Mission of higher class are more senior in rank than heads of mission of the class that follows.
Charges d’Affaires ad interim are ranked according to the most recent date of assumption of duties (their personal rank is not taken into account).
Precedence among diplomatic agents of various missions having the same title is made according to the class of their head of mission.
Charges d’Affaires ad interim are placed or seated after permanent heads of mission and before all other diplomats.
In countries where international organizations are based and in which member states of these organizations and other states have permanently accredited representatives (e.g. Belgium), Ambassadors accredited to the Head of State have precedence over permanent representatives of the same rank accredited to the EU, NATO and WEU.
Precedence among Ambassadors/Permanent Representatives to international organizations is made annually.
Non-resident Ambassadors accredited in the receiving state are placed or seated after all resident Heads of Mission of the same rank and before Ambassadors not accredited in that country (on a visit).
Special Envoy/Shuttle Ambassador precedes an Ambassador permanently accredited in that country. A permanently accredited Ambassador, who has been designated as Head or a member of a special mission, comes immediately after Heads of special missions and before all other accredited Ambassadors in the receiving state.