Online consulate "e-Consul" and Diia in 2026: how Ukrainians abroad can get a passport and documents — and where a photo is needed

The digitalisation of consular services for Ukrainians abroad has noticeably accelerated. Applications for passports and a number of other documents can now be started online — via the information and communication system "e-Consul" and the Diia app. But there is an important nuance for everyone planning to obtain a foreign passport: the biometric photo and fingerprints are still taken in person at the consulate, not submitted online. We explain what has changed, how it works in 2026, and where a printed photo is still needed.

What "e-Consul" is and when it started

"e-Consul" is a digital platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for providing consular services to citizens abroad. Its legal basis is Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 945, adopted on 16 August 2024. The resolution entered into force from the day of publication (24 August 2024), and certain provisions (amendments to other acts) — from 1 January 2025. The system is gradually being connected to state registers, which, according to the MFA, will reduce service times by 30–80% depending on the type of action.

Consular reception takes place by prior online appointment via "e-Consul". Electronic identification is done using Diia.Signature, BankID or a qualified electronic signature (QES). An application for a service can be submitted via the portal or the Diia mobile app.

Which services are available online

Via the "e-Consul" system and Diia, Ukrainians abroad can, in particular:

• obtain an ID card (Ukrainian citizen's passport) and a foreign biometric passport;
• obtain an RNOKPP (tax number) — at diplomatic missions and as part of the comprehensive child birth registration service (rollout — second half of 2025);
• exchange or reissue a driving licence;
• register a child's birth abroad and resolve citizenship matters;
• register for temporary consular registration.

The government's goal is to provide citizens with convenient access to essential consular services around the clock, regardless of their location.

The main thing about the photo: where it is still needed

For Anfas.Pro this is a key point. When obtaining a foreign biometric passport, the photograph is taken on the spot — during a single visit to the consulate or a foreign branch of the State Enterprise "Dokument". Fingerprints are also taken there and an electronic signature is made. That is, the actual "passport" photo for an adult is usually not submitted — it is taken by the operator.

However, a printed photo is still needed in certain cases:

• Children under 12 who do not attend in person, and persons who cannot move independently for health reasons: according to the SMS clarification, there are two options — to be photographed at the unit or to submit one colour photo of 10×15 cm for scanning (white background, face ≈70% of the frame). The standard passport format is 3.5×4.5 cm; check the exact requirements with your consulate.
• Temporary consular registration: one 10×15 cm photo is attached to the application. The service costs €18 (10 working days) or €36 (5 working days); the registration is valid for a year with the option to extend it up to five.

If you need exactly such photographs to the requirements — formats 10×15 cm and 3.5×4.5 cm — you can prepare them yourself and print them, following the standard requirements for the facial image.

Note: changes regarding passport validity periods

From 29 October 2025, Ukraine returned to international standards for issuing passport documents. The temporary "extension" procedure for passports, introduced during the invasion in 2022, is being phased out. Now:

• a passport for persons aged 16 and over is valid for up to 10 years;
• a passport for children under 16 — up to 4 years;
• every citizen must have a separate passport (entering children into a parent's document no longer applies).

The MFA advises holders of "extended" passports and documents with entered children to obtain new biometric passports, as "extended" ones may cause problems at the border.

What will happen next in 2026

According to the government's action programme, by the end of 2026 electronic consular services should operate in 97% of foreign diplomatic missions. Also, the first 10 countries plan to launch home delivery of foreign passports by post — so that citizens do not have to travel to the consulate twice (for submission and for collection). Biometrics will still have to be submitted in person at least once.

Summary

The online consulate via "e-Consul" and Diia genuinely saves time: the appointment, the application and part of the checks happen online. But the biometric photo for a foreign passport is taken at the consulate, and a printed 10×15 cm photo is still needed for children under 12 who do not attend in person and for consular registration. Before your visit, check the current requirements and list of documents on the website of your embassy or consulate.