“Some consular actions will be completely online": the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told about the benefits of the new e-Consul system

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already created the digital platform “e-Consul”, which is testing a number of functions in a closed mode to make the MFA services more accessible and faster for more Ukrainian citizens abroad. This was stated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, UNN reports.

Details

The MFA noted that the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine adopted a resolution on the e-Consul information and communication system, which will provide a new quality and accessibility of MFA services for Ukrainian citizens abroad.

The government's decision is the result of the MFA's systematic work to digitalize and modernize consular services and has created a number of new opportunities. MFA experts are already working to implement it as soon as possible. Some consular actions will be fully online and there will be no need to even go to the consular office. Others will be much faster and easier, as documents will be pulled from state registers automatically

The agency explains that the digital platform has already been created. It is currently being used to test an updated electronic queue, electronic offices of the applicant and consul, automated pilot services in the field of notary, issuance of certificates, etc.

The MFA is working on the digitalization of consular servicesAug 13 2024, 12:03 PM • 21177 views

The MFA also continues to work on connecting the system to state registries and information databases, which will reduce the operational time for providing citizens with MFA services by 30-80%, depending on the type of service. 

It is expected that the new system will gradually eliminate the need for citizens to provide data or documents already available to the state,  and will enable the introduction of the first remote services that will not require a visit to a consul at all. 

Currently, it is undergoing the necessary security checks, testing for vulnerabilities, the strength of data encryption algorithms, and resistance to peak loads

After launching the modernized e-Consul system this year and evaluating analytical data, the MFA plans to increase the pace of digitalization of the consular sphere in 2025.

In particular, the ministry plans to increase the share of remote services, integrate online payments, document sharing into Diia together with the Ministry of Digital Transformation, and a number of technological solutions that will make MFA services more accessible to citizens.

AddendumAddendum

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that the need to modernize the e-Consul system and simplify access to consular services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has become especially acute in the context of a full-scale war.

There are currently about 7.5 million Ukrainian citizens abroad, most of whom were forced to leave due to the Russian invasion. This category of applicants is in particular need of consular assistance due to lost documents, unresolved property issues, child placement, etc.

And although the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has attracted the maximum of available resources, performing more than 2 million consular actions in 2022-2023 by 300 consuls, the demand for consular services remains extremely high and objectively exceeds the capacity of consular services in most countries  

Recall

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved a regulation on the creation of an information and communication system “e-Consul”that will allow for the digitalization and automation of consular services.