The recent arrest of the former deputy foreign minister of Poland, Piotr Wawrzyk, has sent shockwaves through the country following the cash-for-visas scandal. According to Poland’s anti-corruption agency, the Central Anti-Corruption Bureau (CBA), Wawrzyk has been arrested on charges of expediting work visa processing in exchange for money, in violation of official ministry procedures.
The investigation into the cash-for-visas scandal is ongoing, with CBA revealing that a total of nine individuals, including the former minister, have been charged in connection with the scandal. The scandal, which came to light in August of last year, revealed that many third-country nationals seeking work visas in Poland were granted the documents in return for bribes.
The Polish authorities took swift action in response to the scandal, and recent data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows a significant drop in the number of work visas issued since the summer. In the last six months of 2023, the number of work visas granted to foreigners fell to 6,500 from 15,100 in the first six months of the year.
Despite the scandal, Poland continues to issue work visas through its Business Harbor Programme, aimed at attracting highly educated workers, particularly Information Technology specialists, to the country. The programme remains a key component of Poland’s efforts to bring skilled foreign workers into the country.
The developments stemming from the cash-for-visas scandal have garnered widespread attention in Poland and beyond. The ongoing investigation and the significant decrease in work visas issued are sure to have a lasting impact on Poland’s visa procedures and the country’s efforts to attract foreign talent.
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