Poland Tightens Visa Regulations Amid Cash-for-Visa Scandal.
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland is tightening its visa regulations following investigations into a cash-for-visa scandal that exposed irregularities during the previous right-wing government. The foreign minister, Radek Sikorski, announced on Thursday that these irregularities had cost the Polish public millions of dollars.
Sikorski stated that obtaining a visa for Poland will now be more difficult. The visa allows unrestricted travel within the Schengen zone in Europe. The vetting process for applicants will also be intensified. For example, applications for student visas will be carefully examined to prevent misuse as a means to enter Europe.
On Thursday, the Supreme Audit Office of Poland released a report confirming allegations made last year. The report revealed that Polish consulates in Asia and Africa accepted thousands of dollars for each work visa, violating regulations. The investigation found 46 types of irregularities across five areas, including a lack of transparency, a corruption-prone environment, and inadequate oversight by the former minister, Zbigniew Rau.
One notable case involved visas issued to several Indian farmers, who were falsely labeled as Bollywood filmmakers in their documents.
Sikorski highlighted that the ministry lost control over the visa system from 2018 to 2023.
He stated, “We can confirm that, unfortunately, in a scandalous way, unlawful pressure was exercised over Polish consuls with the intention of increasing the number of visas issued to people … who should not necessarily obtain them, including the citizens of the Russian Federation.”
The foreign minister mentioned that the ministry is working on a new policy to address illegal migration, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk is set to present on Saturday.
Earlier this year, Sikorski’s initial response to the scandal was to raise visa fees, which had previously been among the lowest in Europe. This low cost attracted migrants from Asia and Africa seeking access to Europe through Poland. The cash-for-visa scheme was initiated by the former Law and Justice government, contradicting its anti-migrant policies.
According to the audit report, between 2018 and early 2024, thousands of visas were issued to individuals who paid large sums to agencies affiliated with Polish consulates. One agency alone issued over 4,200 visas from January 1, 2018, to March 29, 2024. Some applicants reportedly paid as much as 30,000 zlotys (approximately $7,600 or €7,000).
The audit chamber is considering whether to refer the case to prosecutors. A separate investigation by the state anti-corruption bureau has already led to charges against former deputy foreign minister Piotr Wawrzyk and nine others, with investigations ongoing.
Additionally, a special parliamentary commission formed after last fall’s elections is also examining the visa irregularities, confirming many flaws in the system.
The audit chamber reported that from 2018 to 2023, Poland issued 6.1 million visas, including 1.2 million Schengen visas, from 6.5 million applications. Notably, 3.4 million visas were granted to Ukrainian citizens, 1.6 million to Belarusians, and more than 357,000 to Russian citizens, some issued after Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022.
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