Poland has dramatically reduced the amount of work permits it issues to foreign nationals in an effort to "erase" the visa fraud that was made public last year.

According to Schengen.News, the number of work visas that Polish consulates have granted to foreigners seeking to enter the nation for employment has dropped by one-third, as disclosed by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The Polish authorities revealed to Wyborcza that they had tightened the requirements for giving visas to foreigners who wish to visit their family members who work in Poland, in addition to reducing the number of visas issued to foreign workers.

ommenting on the measures that Poland has taken so far to remedy the situation after the visa scandal, a Polish consul in one of the Asian countries said that things are already looking much better.

The same emphasised that the door to Poland has been closed, suggesting that all those who do not meet the requirements and plan to reach the country through irregular ways and bribes and want to abuse the visas are no longer able to get away with it.

The consul further said for Wyborcza that the drop in the number of visas issued to foreigners is a result of the instructions that have been given to all consulates.
Asian Diplomats Complain About Poland’s Decision to Cut Number of Visas

While Polish authorities have said that much-needed measures have finally been taken, Asian diplomats have complained about the strict rules that the country is applying.

As explained by the consul for Wyborcza, some Asian governments holding grudges against Poland for tightening its visa rules.

The consul further noted that some countries’ ministries of foreign affairs are continuing to ask the Polish consular missions for urgent visas, but these requests are being turned down.

The new approach that Poland has decided to take is irritating authorities of some countries, the consul stressed.

He further emphasised that the reaction of these countries shows that the measures are working and that the scale of visa abuse was great.

In addition to tightening the work visa rules, Poland is also planning to make it harder for foreign students to obtain visas.

Such a plan was announced after it was found out that non-EU students were applying for Polish visas with the pretext of studying in the country but then reaching other Schengen member states irregularly.