The Polish government faced scrutiny over a regulation that governs how visas are issued to immigrants. In a public session, officials were pressed to explain how the rule was created, why it was approved, and what it means for Poland’s migration policy. Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Piotr Wawrzyk stated that the rule arose from a clerical error and has since been withdrawn as a corrective measure, signaling that the administration intends to respond transparently to the issue.
Regulations on visas for migrants
During the Sejm session, deputies asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to justify the visa regulation and to describe how the government monitors its own actions. They questioned whether the policy aligns with the country’s broader migration strategy and what safeguards are in place to prevent similar mistakes in the future.
One deputy claimed that the regulation, which he described as a clerical error, was unacceptable and harmful to Poland. The government responded that the measure had been withdrawn and that responsibility lies with the ministries involved in drafting and implementing policy.
The deputy head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Piotr Wawrzyk, explained that the regulation was a mistake that has been corrected. The aim, he said, was to fix a procedural error and to restore normal operations while keeping the broader policy framework intact.
Kierwiński attacks the government
In response, Kierwiński asserted that the situation showed a lack of seriousness. He criticized Wawrzyk for seeming unable to offer a clear explanation and accused officials of resorting to prepared talking points rather than providing substantive answers.
He added that the issue was not only the clerical error itself but also the impression that some ministers and their staff were more focused on formulaic statements than on the practical consequences for the Polish public and economy.
What was in the document?
When asked about the arrangement on Tuesday, government spokesman Piotr Müller described it as a technical update that modestly adjusts the ministry’s organization. He stated that he did not expect the matter to be pursued further to avoid triggering emotions, implying a measured approach to the reform.
The draft regulations, published on the government website in June, outlined the countries where foreigners could apply for a visa directly through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a process overseen by the minister responsible for foreign affairs.
The annex listed 21 countries: Saudi Arabia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Philippines, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Qatar, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Moldova, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, and the United Arab Emirates. The justification for the draft stated that allowing direct visa applications to the ministry would deliver more efficient service to applicants abroad, addressing previous needs and expectations identified when Belarus was included in 2021.
The document argued that delegating some visa processing powers to consuls and state department officials would help accommodate rising volumes of visa applications, especially given limited human resources at foreign missions and the costs of handling these requests from abroad.
According to the justification, the increase in applications was partly driven by demand from foreign workers seeking employment in Poland, reflecting steady interest in Poland’s labor market and the needs of Polish employers.
The proposed system would allow a visa application to be submitted to the minister responsible for foreign affairs if external service providers, referred to in the relevant European visa regulations, were involved. Implementation would occur in phases, after the consulates initiate services under a framework sometimes termed visa outsourcing. This model was described as a prerequisite for the proposed approach to function effectively.
Visa outsourcing describes a collaboration between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic missions, and external service providers who facilitate visa applications. These providers may provide information about visa conditions, collect applicant data, accept applications, and charge appropriate fees, thereby smoothing the overall process for applicants.
It is important to note that the process would not automatically grant approvals in every country the moment the regulation takes effect. Instead, a phased rollout would be employed, ensuring that consulates and partners can adapt gradually as services are deployed abroad.
Source information from the period indicates that the intent behind these changes was to modernize the visa system in response to practical demands, particularly from foreign workers seeking entry for employment. The broader goal is to support efficient operations at Polish diplomatic missions while maintaining rigorous oversight of visa procedures.
In summary, the discourse around the regulation emphasized the balance between simplifying access for legitimate travelers and maintaining careful governance to preserve Poland’s migration policy framework and national employment goals.