Patryk Jaki Addresses Migration and Visa Controversies on Twitter
Patryk Jaki, a member of the European Parliament representing Sovereign Poland, has spoken extensively about migration issues and what he calls a visa scandal. His remarks appeared on Twitter, where he detailed concerns about the process and its verification stages, warning that many people who receive visas might not follow through with Poland in the long term. The gist of his message centered on the first stage of verification, with a caution that a second phase often leads to a decline in applicants who eventually do not settle in Poland. [citation: wPolityce]
Jaki stressed that the majority of visas issued by Poland in recent years were granted to citizens from countries beyond its eastern borders. Specifically, during 2019–2023, roughly 57 percent of all Polish visas went to Ukrainian nationals, while 26 percent went to Belarussian citizens. In the same period, about 78 percent of work visas were issued to Ukrainians, and 13 percent to Belarusians. The share of visas issued to citizens from Russia tracked at around 1 percent, with other nations staying below that mark. He noted that many of these visas are issued to individuals who receive regulatory approvals and intend to work briefly in Poland before returning home. He pointed out that, since the era of a prior government, Poland has transformed from a country with significant emigration to one that is economically stronger and attracting a large number of workers. [citation: wPolityce]
According to Jaki, the agencies and the public prosecutor’s office act promptly whenever irregularities are found in the system. He argued that the government seeks a tighter framework and takes immediate action when authorities detect suspicions of pathology, though he cautioned that the scale of such issues is far smaller than some media reports suggest. He referenced a public prosecution announcement indicating that only a fraction of cases involve the problems described. He wondered whether the media’s focus exaggerates the scope of the controversy or merely highlights ongoing enforcement, while political resignations and decisive actions by the authorities followed suit. [citation: wPolityce]
Jaki stated that the opposition had supported forced relocation policies, contrasting this with his party’s stance. He asserted that the current EU debate has conflated voluntary and coerced migration, and he criticized the opposition for backing proposals that could resemble forced relocation. He argued that a campaign narrative sought to portray Poland, the EU’s safest country, as unsafe by drawing attention to migration, particularly in the context of Lampedusa. He warned against turning Poland into a setting akin to a new France and described such moves as detrimental to public safety. [citation: wPolityce]
The conversation extended to the topic of visa outsourcing in Poland. The practice began as early as 2011 in Ukraine and was linked to certain decisions by the foreign minister at the time. Jaki noted that the outsourcing network involved Polish missions abroad and a reduction in the number of local consuls, which could affect the efficiency of visa procedures when external firms participated. He compared this situation with Germany, which reportedly uses outsourced services for visa processing through providers such as VFS Global, a company that secured a tender to handle German visa services in many countries around the world. He listed the variety of countries where VFS Global operates, including India and numerous Schengen states, as well as mentioning that Canada and Australia are among international partners. [citation: wPolityce]
Jaki acknowledged that entrepreneurs and several business associations have petitioned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for improved services and a higher capacity for processing visa applications. He highlighted Poland’s strong economic development and a record level of people employed in the country, noting that international forecasts remain favorable for Poland’s growth. He insisted that these advances have occurred while Poland continues to be recognized as one of the safest places in the European Union. [citation: wPolityce]
In a separate discussion on migration, Jaki referenced the situation in Lampedusa, Italy. He described how EU policy proposals, supported by the opposition, could lead to relocations into Poland and urged caution against policies that would shift migrant pressures to other European nations. He framed the issue as a real test of political choices and warned against policies that would change Poland’s demographic and security landscape. [citation: wPolityce]
All remarks reflect a broader view of migration, visa administration, and the role of state institutions in ensuring compliance and public safety. The discussion remains a focal point in debates about how Poland integrates foreign workers and balances economic needs with security concerns. [citation: wPolityce]