Who is the highest-ranking official at the embassy?

• A. Consul general
• B. Ambassador (chief of mission)
• C. Deputy chief of mission
• D. Chargé d'affaires

Answer: (B)

The highest-ranking official at an embassy is the ambassador, who serves as the chief of mission. The ambassador is the president or government’s representative in the host country and has overall responsibility for all diplomatic activities, directing the embassy’s work and serving as the main liaison with the host government. The deputy chief of mission is the second in command, handling daily operations and stepping in when the ambassador is away. A chargé d’affaires leads the mission only when there is no ambassador appointed or during a transition, not as the permanent head. A consul general runs a separate consulate and handles consular services, not the embassy’s top leadership. So the ambassador is the correct choice.