Warsaw, January 2024 — In a startling revelation, Poland’s Supreme Audit Office has uncovered a cash-for-visa scandal that thrived under the previous right-wing government. The investigation exposed widespread irregularities, including the sale of visas for substantial sums at Polish consulates in Asia and Africa, with inadequate oversight from former Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau. Notably, Indian farmers were falsely documented as Bollywood filmmakers to secure visas.

This scandal not only undermines the integrity of Poland’s immigration system but also poses significant challenges for expatriates—individuals living in EU countries other than their own—who rely on transparent and fair visa processes to exercise their fundamental freedoms within the EU.

Iwona Szczeblewski, Chair of EuroConsum/WhizzBang Viadrina, commented, “The exploitation of visa systems for profit erodes trust and creates barriers for genuine applicants seeking opportunities across EU borders. It’s imperative that member states uphold the principles of transparency and fairness to facilitate legitimate cross-border movement.”

In response to the findings, Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski has announced enhanced vetting procedures for visa applicants, particularly students, to prevent misuse. The state anti-corruption bureau has charged former deputy foreign minister Piotr Wawrzyk and nine others in connection with the scandal. Between 2018 and 2023, Poland issued millions of visas, with a significant portion to citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia. These developments are contributing to the formulation of a new policy aimed at curbing illegal migration, to be presented by Prime Minister Donald Tusk. 

WhizzBang urges the Polish government and all EU member states to strengthen their visa issuance processes, ensuring they are free from corruption and accessible to genuine applicants. By doing so, we can protect the rights of consumers and expatriates, fostering a more integrated and transparent European Union.