Poland Tightens Visa Regulations Amid Cash-for-Visa Scandal.
Poland is tightening its visa regulations following investigations into a cash-for-visa scandal that occurred under the previous right-wing government. The foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, announced on Thursday that these irregularities had cost the public millions of dollars.
Sikorski emphasized that obtaining a visa for Poland will now be significantly more difficult. The new regulations will enhance the vetting process for applicants. For instance, applications for student visas will undergo closer scrutiny to prevent their misuse as a means of entering Europe.
On the same day, the state Supreme Audit Office released a report on the Foreign Ministry’s visa department. This report confirmed allegations from last year that Polish consulates in Asia and Africa accepted thousands of dollars for each work visa in violation of regulations. The investigation identified 46 types of irregularities in five key areas, including a lack of transparency, a culture of corruption, and inadequate oversight from the then minister, Zbigniew Rau.
One particularly shocking case involved visas issued to dozens of Indian farmers, who were falsely labeled as Bollywood filmmakers in their documents.
Sikorski stated at a news conference that the ministry lost control over the visa system, especially between 2018 and 2023.
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