DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF CONSULAR SERVICES: INTERNATIONAL PRACTICE AND LESSONS FOR THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN

This article examines the use of e-government and the impact on consular services. The main goal is to analyze the implementation of digital tools in the work of the consulate to study international experience, and it was revealed that some of this experience is applicable to the Republic of Kazakhstan. Justifying the comparative analysis and review of regulatory documents, the case study examined the experience of Estonia, South Korea, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Germany and the United States in the framework of digitalization of consular and visa technical procedures. It is worth noting that the transformation implements three elements: electronic visas, biometric verification, and multi-level electronic automated application processing. This article substantiates the implementation of consular digitalization in Kazakhstan, in the context of international guidelines, and identifies gaps. The study is guided by step-by-step recommendations in practice that allow us to take into account the country's institutional capabilities, as well as the legal framework and geopolitical rationale, as well as the need for national strategies for digitizing consular activities.

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