Poland has made new rules for student visas because of a big problem called the “student visa scandal.” This problem showed that many people were using student visas in the wrong way.
The news says that Poland was allowing many students from other countries without checking if they really qualified.
“Poland has been admitting tens of thousands of third-country students without properly checking their eligibility.”
Polish authorities say foreign students have to show their high school diplomas, but some universities were not following this rule.
‘Polish authorities require foreign students to have their high school diplomas verified, but universities have inconsistently enforced this obligation,’ a report from TravelBiz stated.
New Changes
Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski said that from now on, students will get visas only if they show real high school diplomas.
This change happened because many people were getting student visas without the right papers and then working illegally in Europe.
Sikorski said the new rules will help make sure that only real students get the visas.
“The misuse of student visas has become a significant issue, with many visa holders failing to attend the universities that facilitated their entry,” Sikorski explained during an interview.
Reports say that these updated rules are not new laws but are making sure old rules are followed better.
Poland’s government wants to make sure student visas are given out fairly to protect the country’s education system.
The new rules ask that all foreign students must have real high school diplomas, a rule some universities didn’t follow before.
“The Polish government is committed to preventing visa fraud and ensuring that the system is not exploited for economic gain. These new measures are expected to significantly reduce the number of foreign students seeking admission to Polish universities,” TravelBiz expanded in its report.
Poland’s Plans for the Future
Poland’s foreign ministry said these rules are not new laws but are making existing rules stronger.
The ministry also said the new regulations will help make visa issuance fairer and better for the education system.
This is part of Poland’s larger effort to stop corruption in the visa system. This includes punishing those involved in a “cash-for-visas” scandal with the previous government.
“The tightening of student visas is part of a broader crackdown on corruption within the visa system. A cash-for-visa scandal involving the previous government has led to several arrests, including a former deputy foreign minister accused of facilitating work visas in exchange for bribes.”
The updates aim to make sure that visas are given out correctly and to stop visa cheating.
Several people have been arrested, including a former deputy foreign minister who helped people get work visas for money.
The Polish government wants to protect its education system by having stricter rules and only allowing real students. By doing this, Poland hopes to make the visa process more honest and clear.