Ministry of Foreign Affairs Launches e-Consul: New Opportunities for Ukrainians Abroad

The Government of Ukraine adopted a resolution on the implementation of a new information and communication system called "e-Consul". This system is aimed at providing Ukrainians abroad with better and more affordable consular services from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The initiative is part of a large-scale program for digitalization and modernization of services, which the department is actively implementing.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba emphasized the importance of this innovation, stressing that the "e-Consul" system will significantly facilitate access to consular services for Ukrainian citizens living or staying abroad. Thanks to the new system, some consular activities will be able to be performed completely online, without the need to visit consular offices in person.

The "e-Consul" system will also automatically integrate data from state registers, which will significantly speed up the processing of applications and reduce the time of service provision. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working to reduce the operational time of providing consular services by 30-80%, depending on the type of service. This means that citizens will be able to get the necessary documents and certificates faster and with less effort.

As of August 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already launched a digital platform in test mode, which includes an updated electronic queue, electronic offices of the applicant and the consul, as well as pilot automated services in the field of notary and certificate preparation. This platform is the first step towards a complete transition to a new system that will ensure maximum efficiency and convenience for users.

In addition, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is actively working on the connection of the "e-Consul" system to state registers and information bases, which will avoid repeated submission of the same data or documents by citizens. This innovation will contribute to the introduction of the first remote services that will be available without the need to visit consular offices.

Thus, the "e-Consul" system will not only improve the accessibility and speed of consular services, but will also be an important step in strengthening ties between Ukrainians around the world and their homeland, providing a new level of state service.