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Poland to Tighten Visa Rules and Raise Fines

by DD Staff

October 04, 2024

Poland Visa Rules

key takeaways

Poland's Foreign Ministry has suggested that the nation tighten the visa requirements even further and begin imposing heavier fines on violators in the wake of multiple scandals that have occurred there.

The Foreign Ministry has proposed that the nation sharply enhance the punishment for businesses that hire foreign labour irregularly or assist in the immigration of foreign nationals by making false claims that they require more workers.

The Ministry has also suggested that stricter regulations be implemented for international students wishing to study in Poland and for the nation's universities in order to stop the misuse of the visa system.

As it has been explained, the Ministry wants to increase the penalties for Polish employers who hire foreign workers irregularly to around €670 (PLN 3,000). Moreover, the Ministry has recommended that the fine for employers who help foreigners enter the country under the guise of employment should be fined €23,214 (PLN 100,000).

To further avoid any abuse in the visa system, the Ministry has said that the country’s authorities should also check frequently on foreigners who enter the country for work or study purposes.

The same has stressed that with the new rules, the number of visas issued both to foreign workers and students will decrease drastically.

Student Visas Will Be Granted Under Stricter Rules, Ministry Says

In reference to student visas, the Ministry stated that the document would not be issued to foreign nationals who have not turned in a secondary school graduation certificate or who do not exhibit at least a B2 level of proficiency in the language of instruction for their program.

For the academic year 2026–2027, these two new prerequisites will be applicable to everyone applying for a student visa to study in Poland.

In addition, foreign students who enter Poland will be under supervision. Their data will be transferred to the Integrated Information System on Higher Education and Science, and the main purpose of this measure is to make sure that foreigners are not misusing their student visas for other purposes.

So far, there has been no control of foreign students. Visas were issued automatically. This must end.
--Marek Sowa

Poland has already cut the number of visas granted to foreign students. Although the authorities did not provide any specific numbers, they stressed that over one-third of applications have been rejected.