Poland Tightens Visa Regulations for Foreign Students.
Poland will no longer issue visas to foreign students who do not possess a high school diploma, as announced by Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski.
According to Dziennik Gazeta Prawna, some Polish universities have accepted tens of thousands of students from outside the European Union without properly verifying their eligibility. Many of these students, particularly from Rwanda, Türkiye, and Zimbabwe, enrolled in these universities primarily to obtain Polish visas.
Minister Sikorski stated in an interview with TVN 24 that these students often fail to attend classes at the universities listed on their applications. Instead, they use their visas to work within the Schengen zone. A student visa allows for one year of work, leading to situations where individuals secure visas without ever attending the university that facilitated their entry.
The Polish government aims to prevent the misuse of student visas for work purposes in Poland and the wider Schengen area.
‘High School Diploma Is a Standard Requirement’
Minister Sikorski clarified that the requirement for a high school diploma is not a new policy but rather an enforcement of existing regulations regarding the eligibility of foreign visa applicants. He emphasized that the verification of high school degrees by Polish institutions should have always been standard practice. He noted that some universities have incorrectly imposed this requirement.
This situation has resulted in foreign applicants enjoying privileges over Polish citizens who are also seeking higher education.
As of August 11, students from specific countries, including Algeria, India, Iraq, Ethiopia, and South Sudan, must present their high school diplomas when applying for a Polish student visa. The Polish Embassy recently warned that applicants who do not meet this requirement will have their visas denied.
Stricter Visa Rules Ahead
Poland plans to further tighten student visa regulations to prevent potential abuses. In a May 2024 announcement, the Polish government indicated it is considering restricting access to the labor market for foreign students.
Additionally, Poland intends to increase the minimum funds required for those applying for a student visa or residence permit. Applicants will also need to show that they have a specific amount of money in a blocked account.