MFA launches updated version of "e-Consul" for Ukrainians abroad

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has launched an updated electronic queue system for registering for consular services - e-Consul.

The plans to introduce the new platform were announced in August, and since November 13, the system has been operating at e-consul.gov.ua.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the updated platform takes into account previous comments and wishes of users. It has a simplified registration procedure and offers more available seats. This solution is designed to address the problems that Ukrainians faced when using the previous electronic queue system.

At the beginning of the new system, there were technical difficulties: registration for users with Gmail accounts was temporarily unavailable, and there were problems with the selection of diplomatic missions for registration. As of today, all technical problems have been resolved, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the service is working steadily.

Key changes and new features:

• Six months advance booking - now you can plan your visit in advance.
• An appointment confirmation system 30, 7, and 3 days before the visit. This will help free up slots if someone can't make it and give others a chance to sign up.
• The ability to add children to the appointment - now you can get more services in one visit.
• Protection against "intermediaries" - we have strengthened mechanisms to counteract dishonest users.

The updated service also allows you to:

• Easily manage your account through an updated dashboard.
• Use services that automatically check the availability of the necessary documents for men of military age.
• Book a visit even for the next few days if someone cancels their appointment.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the need to modernize the e-Consul system and simplify access to consular services has become more urgent due to the full-scale war.

There are about 7.5 million Ukrainian citizens abroad, most of whom left because of the fighting. This category of applicants is in particular need of consular assistance due to lost documents, unresolved property issues, child placement, etc.

Meanwhile, Norway will no longer provide protection to refugees from the western regions of Ukraine.

Ірина Глухова