Poland Reduces Visa Issuance to Curb Abuse
Key Takeaways
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Poland has made significant reductions in visa issuance for third-country nationals.
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The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that visa issuance has decreased by up to 90% in some categories.
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The new visa rules are aimed at preventing misuse.
Poland has drastically reduced access to its visa system, according to Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Henryka Mościcka-Dendys.
Mościcka-Dendys revealed that some visa categories have seen a reduction of up to 30%, while others have been cut by as much as 90%. However, she did not specify which applicant groups have been most affected.
"We have a decrease in some categories by 30%, and in others by as much as 90%," said Mościcka-Dendys.
The primary reason for this reduction is to curb the abuse of the Polish visa system. The Deputy Minister emphasized that Poland's visa was previously one of the easiest paths to access the EU, but this ease of access had been exploited, leading to increased irregular migration. Consequently, the government decided to tighten visa rules.
"Before 2023, a Polish visa was the easiest way to legalize your stay in the European Union," she stated.
Poland’s Ongoing Efforts to Curb Irregular Migration Poland has been experiencing a significant influx of migrants, despite having implemented various measures. Mościcka-Dendys mentioned that for the past year and a half, the Polish government has been focused on creating a comprehensive migration policy aimed at strengthening border controls and reducing migration pressures.
As part of its broader efforts, Poland has already introduced new visa regulations for international students. Last week, the Polish Senate passed legislation tightening visa requirements for foreign students wishing to study at Polish universities. Under the new rules, applicants will need to demonstrate B2-level proficiency in the language of their program. Additionally, other measures are being put in place to ensure that student visas are not being misused for irregular migration and that universities do not admit ineligible students.