Polish Authorities Respond to Visa Irregularities Amid Migration Debates
EU home affairs officials disclosed that Ylva Johansson, the European Commissioner responsible for home affairs, sent a formal inquiry to Polish authorities on September 20. The aim was to obtain a clear explanation regarding alleged irregularities in the visa issuance process. Warsaw was asked to provide a response by October 3. During a Brussels meeting with ambassadors from member states, Poland urged the European Commission to implement effective measures to curb illegal migration into the European Union. These developments reflect ongoing concerns about compliance with EU law and the integrity of visa procedures across member states.
European Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper emphasized that authorities are monitoring media reports about fraud and corruption allegations. She noted that Commissioner Johansson requested detailed answers from Poland and set a deadline for replies to help determine appropriate next steps. The objective remains to ensure accountability and restore trust in the visa system within the EU framework.
In mid-September, the National Public Prosecutor’s Office announced an investigation into irregularities in speeding up visa issuance, concerning 268 specific applications. The Organized Crime and Corruption Division is testing the integrity of these expedited visa decisions, and the office cautioned against spreading false information about the scope of the probe.
The National Public Prosecutor’s Office posted a note on X (formerly Twitter) urging the public not to amplify misinformation surrounding the case.
Statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland released detailed statistics on visa issuance to non-nationals. They reported expenditures exceeding PLN 1,950,000 over the past thirty months related to foreign nationals, with more than 1,782,000 national visas issued to residents, and a substantial number of Schengen visas issued to Belarusian and Ukrainian citizens. Officials stressed that people applying for visas are subject to verification, countering claims that visas were granted without checks.
Denial rates for visa applications vary widely by category and country. Some categories show denial rates up to 90 percent for work-related visas, with higher rates observed for applicants from Iraq, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, and Syria. Regional variance is noted, with certain nationalities facing around an 80 percent denial rate at particular administrative levels.
The Foreign Ministry underscored that these statistics reflect the complexity of visa adjudication while defending the integrity of the process.
Policy and Migration Discussions in Brussels
During the ambassadors’ meeting in Brussels, Poland pressed the European Commission to take concrete steps to reduce illegal migration flows. Calls were made for stronger external borders, more effective returns and readmission processes, and an intensified fight against smuggling networks. A related development involved new migration policy proposals being considered by EU institutions, which Poland argues should be implemented with genuine, practical measures rather than declarations.
Polish officials highlighted that a recent government resolution addresses the migration crisis with emphasis on practical reform and tighter border controls. The aim is to direct future EU migration policy toward stronger enforcement at external borders, robust return and readmission regimes, and more effective cooperation with origin and transit countries.
The Polish stance also critiques the proposed mandatory solidarity mechanism under negotiation, arguing that it should align with prior European Council conclusions from 2016, 2018, and 2019. Officials contend that an approach based on consensus and enforceable actions is essential to manage migratory pressures.
Relocation and Crisis Response
Poland has advocated abandoning the concept of mandatory relocation, viewing it as a pull factor for irregular migration and a stimulant for smuggling networks. Polish diplomats expressed concern that the current crisis in Italy—where migrant arrivals have surged—requires a serious, results-focused response from the EU.
Recent reports indicate ongoing arrivals on the Italian island of Lampedusa, with hundreds of migrants being processed at regional facilities. Local authorities have voiced dissatisfaction with the pace and scale of repatriation efforts, while authorities consider establishing new centers to manage arrivals.
As authorities continue to monitor the situation, the priority remains preventing unsafe conditions at sea and ensuring orderly processing of asylum and asylum-related procedures. Reports note that a significant number of migrants remain in reception centers, including unaccompanied minors, highlighting the human dimension of the migration challenge.
Ongoing discussions emphasize the need for practical policy tools, coordinated EU-wide action, and clear responsibility from member states to handle migration in a way that protects both security and human rights.
Poland’s stance and the broader EU response reflect a debate about balancing asylum obligations with the imperative to safeguard borders and reduce irregular flows. The situation remains a focal point for EU policy discussions as authorities seek effective, durable solutions.