The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has further simplified the receipt of consular services for Ukrainian refugees
With millions of Ukrainians forced to leave their homes due to war, access to consular services has become an important factor in ensuring their rights and safety abroad. For many Ukrainians who have found themselves in a new country, timely processing of documents, confirmation of citizenship or obtaining birth certificates of children has become a key necessity. However, bureaucratic obstacles, limited resources of consulates, and physical remoteness greatly complicate this process. That is why the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine introduced changes in the field of consular services, making them more accessible and faster.
What is changing for Ukrainians abroad?
On December 20, the Cabinet of Ministers approved a resolution developed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, entitled “On the implementation of an experimental project regarding the provision of certain public services and the execution of certain consular actions based on applications of persons who are outside Ukraine, submitted through the means of the Unified State Web Portal of electronic services and/or information- of the “e-Consul” communication system reported press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This document lays the foundations for the introduction of new technologies in the provision of consular services. Citizens of Ukraine will now be able to submit applications and receive a number of services remotely through the DIYA electronic services portal or the e-Consul system. Innovations are aimed at minimizing the need for physical visits to embassies or consulates, optimizing the time and resources of citizens staying abroad.
So, thanks to digitalization and the use of modern technologies, now a significant part of services can be obtained remotely or with a minimum number of visits to consular institutions. This not only makes life easier for Ukrainian refugees, but also allows to optimize the work of the consulates themselves. This initiative is part of a broader strategy of digitalization of public services, which is especially important for supporting Ukrainians in difficult conditions, in particular during forced stay outside the country.
New opportunities for Ukrainians thanks to the innovation
- Issuance of ID cards with delivery by mail
Ukrainians can now get an ID card with minimal effort: only one visit to the embassy or consulate is needed to submit documents and collect biometric data. After that, the finished document is sent to the applicant by mail. This significantly reduces the time and cost of repeat visits. - Issuance of foreign passports
The procedure for obtaining a foreign passport is also simplified. Citizens will be able to submit documents in one visit, during which biometric data is collected. The finished passport is sent by mail, which eliminates the need for a second visit. - Registration of taxpayers
Through embassies and consulates, it is now possible to register in the State Register of Taxpayers. This is important for those who plan to do business or work abroad, because tax identification is required in many countries. - Driver’s license services
Ukrainians who have lost their driver’s licenses or need to exchange them can now do so through consular offices. This service is especially important for those who depend on road transport for their daily life or work. - Services for newborns
A set of services is provided for new parents:- Registration of a child’s birth and issuance of a birth certificate.
- Registration of a child as a citizen of Ukraine and entry into the Unified State Demographic Register (with assignment of a unique record number).
- Registration of the child in the State Register of Taxpayers.
These services simplify paperwork for children, ensuring their legal status and access to services in the future.
- Remote submission of applications through “DİU”
One of the key changes is the possibility of submitting applications for consular services through the portal or mobile application “ACTION”. This decision allows Ukrainians to save time and resources by submitting documents remotely without the need to physically visit the consulate.
Simplifying access to consular services is an important step towards supporting Ukrainians who are forced to stay abroad. This not only removes administrative barriers, but also helps people to adapt to new conditions faster. Thanks to this innovation, citizens of Ukraine can more easily solve bureaucratic issues, maintain their legal status and remain full participants in the state system even outside their home country.
