Up to 1500 people every day — this is how many visitors are served by the Client Center of the District Office (Klientske centrum Okresného úradu) in Košice. Now, long waiting times in line may become a thing of the past thanks to a new digital system that has been launched in a pilot phase.
The innovation allows you to track your place in line online and return to the office right before your appointment. This greatly simplifies the process of getting documents and other services, especially for those who come with children or have limited time.
How the New System Works
The idea is to free visitors from the need to be physically present in the government office. The process consists of a few simple steps:
- Get a ticket. As before, you take a ticket with your queue number from the machine at the entrance to the Client Center.
- Scan the QR code. The ticket now has a QR code. By scanning it with your smartphone, you will go to a page to download a mobile application where your progress in the queue will be displayed in real time.
- Wait anywhere. You can leave the building and do your own things — have a coffee, go to the store, or just wait in your car. The system will show how many people are in front of you.
- Monitor the queue. When your turn is getting closer, you will see it in the app.
- Return for your appointment. When there are only a few people left in front of you, you return to the Client Center and wait for your number to appear on the main display board.
This system works through a special mobile application.
What Services It Covers and What's Next
Currently, the pilot project covers all the main departments of the Client Center in Košice, where there are always the longest queues. This includes, in particular, the processing of ID cards, passports, documents related to vehicle registration, and issues concerning business activities.
According to the head of the District Office in Košice, Tomáš Kisela, the main goal is to increase comfort for citizens. If the pilot project is successful, a similar system may be implemented in other cities in Slovakia. As reported by the STVR portal, this is part of a broader initiative to digitize public services.
For Ukrainians, who often turn to government offices to resolve various administrative issues, such a system can save a lot of time and nerves. It removes the language barrier associated with the need to clarify queue information with staff, and makes the process more transparent and predictable.
