WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland is tightening visa rules amid an investigation into allegations. cash visa scandal The European Union country’s foreign minister said on Thursday he had identified corruption by the previous right-wing government that cost public finances millions of dollars.
Radek Sikorsky It said it would now be much more difficult to obtain a Polish visa, a document that grants access to unrestricted travel within Europe. Schengen area without bordersApplicant screening will be strengthened. For example, student visa applications are scrutinized to avoid situations where they are only used as a means of entering Europe.
The state’s Supreme Audit Office on Thursday published an investigative report into the Foreign Ministry and confirmed media claims made last year about Polish consulates in Asia and Africa. Each work visa costs thousands of dollarsIt’s against the rules. One of the most serious cases involved visas for dozens of Indian farmers described in the documents as Bollywood film producers.
Sikorsky said at a press conference that he had lost control of the visa system, especially from 2018 to 2023.
“Unfortunately, we can confirm that illegal pressure has been put on the Polish consulate in an ugly way with the intention of increasing the number of visas issued to people who do not necessarily need to obtain visas, including Russian citizens. “Sikorsky said.
Sikorsky’s initial response to the scandal earlier this year was to increase visa fees. Visa fees were among the lowest in Europe and attracted immigrants from Asia and Africa seeking access to Europe through Poland. The cash-visa system was developed under the previous Ministry of Justice government. Anti-immigrant policies and statements.
Thousands of visas were issued between 2018 and early 2024 to people who paid huge sums of money to organizations that work with the Polish consulate, according to a report released Thursday.
One agency alone issued more than 4,200 visas between January 1, 2018 and March 29, 2024. According to the National Audit Office, some applicants paid up to 30,000 zlotys ($7,600, 7,000 euros).
The Board of Audit and Inspection is considering whether to forward the case to the prosecution.
