The recent visa scandal has significantly impacted the number of work visas issued to foreigners in Poland. The controversy resulted in the tightening of work visa issuing rules and the dismissal of a top official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, the number of work visas granted to third-country nationals dropped to 6,500 in the second half of 2023 from 15,100 in the first half. The decrease continued with around 4,800 work visas issued in the third quarter and approximately 1,600 in the last quarter of the year.
The visas are issued through the Poland Business Harbor Programme, which aims to attract highly educated workers, particularly IT specialists, to the country. However, experts have raised concerns about the shortcomings of the programme, claiming that it has become a route for foreigners to enter other Schengen Member States for work purposes instead of staying in Poland.
Furthermore, data provided by the Polish Border Guard indicates that only a small number of foreigners entered the country under the Poland Business Harbor Programme. This has raised concerns, as the country has issued around 100,000 work visas since the beginning of the programme.
The visa scandal and its aftermath have had a significant impact on the issuance of work visas in Poland, with experts highlighting concerns about the effectiveness and potential misuse of the Poland Business Harbor Programme. These developments should be taken into consideration by those looking to work in Poland or travel to other Schengen Member States.
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