Poland Slashes Visa Issuance by Up to 90% Amid Migration Concerns

In a significant shift in migration policy, Poland has announced sweeping changes to its visa issuance system. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Henryka Mościcka-Dendys, revealed that the country has drastically scaled back access to Polish visas, a move designed to combat the abuse of migration channels and to tighten border security.

Speaking during a press briefing, Mościcka-Dendys disclosed that Poland visa restrictions have seen a decrease of up to 30 percent in some visa categories and an even steeper 90 percent cut in others. However, she did not specify which groups of applicants were most impacted by these new limits.

“When it comes to visas, we have a decrease in some categories by 30 per cent, and in others by as much as 90 per cent,” the Deputy Minister stated, emphasizing the scale of the government’s efforts.

The tightening comes in response to mounting concerns over irregular migration. According to Mościcka-Dendys, Poland had previously offered the “easiest access” to legal residence within the European Union. Unfortunately, this accessibility began to be exploited by individuals seeking to bypass the proper legal pathways, leading to a surge in unauthorized arrivals.

“We have significantly reduced free access to a Polish visa and thus the possibility of abusing it for various purposes,” she added. “Before 2023, a Polish visa was the easiest way to legalise your stay in the European Union.”

A Strategic Move to Combat Migration Abuse

Poland’s decision to impose stricter Poland visa restrictions aligns with a broader strategy to overhaul its migration policy. Over the past eighteen months, the government has been working relentlessly to establish a framework that strengthens border controls and ensures that only eligible individuals are allowed entry.

Despite previous efforts to control migration flows, Poland has continued to record high numbers of irregular migrants, creating additional pressure on national resources and border enforcement agencies.

The Deputy Minister highlighted that developing a sustainable and responsible migration strategy remains a top priority for the administration.

New Visa Rules for International Students

In parallel with the broader Poland visa restrictions, the Polish Senate recently passed a new law aimed at tightening the admission process for international students. Effective immediately, foreign students seeking a Polish visa to pursue higher education must now demonstrate at least a B2-level proficiency in the language of instruction for their chosen program.

This new measure intends to close a loophole that some migrants have exploited, using student visas as a backdoor entry into the European Union. By raising language proficiency standards and applying stricter vetting procedures, Poland aims to ensure that educational migration remains genuine and merit-based.

Additionally, universities will face closer scrutiny to prevent the admission of ineligible candidates in exchange for financial incentives—a practice that has previously undermined the integrity of the academic system.

Also Read : Amit Sheth: Architect of the Relationship Web and Semantic Sensor Networks