An investigation revealed that Poland’s former conservative government had pressured its consulates in Asia and Africa to issue visas in exchange for cash, including to Russian nationals.
In response, Poland announced plans to tighten visa regulations following a probe by state auditors.
The investigation found that, under the previous government, consulates in these regions accepted large sums in return for work visas. The new regulations will also affect students applying for study visas, Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said on Thursday.
Sikorski stated that the right-wing Law and Justice (PiS) party government, which implemented the cash-for-visa scheme, lost control of the system between 2018 and 2023. He confirmed that Polish consuls had been unlawfully pressured to increase the issuance of visas, including to Russian nationals who may not have qualified for them.
via Euronews
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