Embassies are an important part of foreign relations, since they serve as a contact point between the visiting and host nation. Through an embassy, countries can reach resolutions to problems ranging from trade tariffs to political tensions before they escalate. Typically, an embassy is staffed by representatives of the foreign service of the visiting nation, and it is housed in a permanent structure which includes staff housing, offices, and spaces for public functions.

Three primary types of staff can be found in an embassy, along with administrative support staff. Consular officers deal with things like issuing visas and handling issues which arise for travelers while they are abroad. Political officers are responsible for following the political climate in the host nation and issuing reports to their home government. Economic officers handle economic negotiations such as disputes over taxes, tariffs, and patent negotiations. Together, the staff of the embassy is headed by an ambassador.

An ambassador is typically an appointed political figure. Most ambassadors have foreign service training, and receive additional training before they are deployed to ensure that they act as responsible representatives of their governments. In addition to members of the foreign service, embassies often use staffers from other agencies. Staff from other agencies may provide supplemental information or support to the embassy. For example, most national embassies are guarded by representatives of the military. A limited number of embassy staff may come from the host nation as well.

The diplomats or envoys which make up an embassy enjoy special privileges because of their status as political negotiators. Most nations, for example, do not attack diplomats from visiting nations. These privileges are also extended to embassies, which are usually accorded extraterritoriality, meaning that the host nation cannot enter the premises of the embassy without being specifically invited. Many refugees take advantage of this to evade persecution and prosecution in the host nation of an embassy.