These proposals were drafted by the ministries of family, labor, and social policy; internal affairs and administration; and foreign affairs, state news agency PAP reported.
The legislative package includes reforms to the national student visa system and the EU Blue Card program, a work permit for highly skilled workers from outside the EU.
The proposed changes, expected be evaluated by a special parliamentary committee, seek to improve control over immigration, address labor market needs, and align Polish law with EU directives.
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Henryka Mościcka-Dendys, the proposed reforms aim to address irregularities in visa issuance and enhance the exchange of information between government agencies responsible for legalizing foreigners' stays in Poland.
“The goal is to regain control over entry processes and migration flows into Poland,” Mościcka-Dendys said last Thursday.
The proposal includes stricter requirements for student applicants, such as proof of language proficiency at a B2 level in the language of study, and verification of foreign high school diplomas to ensure applicants meet academic requirements in their home countries.
Limits on the number of foreign students at any given university may be capped at 50 percent and the Polish universities would be required to notify consulates if students failed to commence their studies.
Mościcka-Dendys also highlighted priority pathways for researchers, doctoral students, and participants in international exchange programs, aiming to support academic and research collaboration while maintaining stricter controls.
Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk presented the government’s plans to implement EU regulations for the Blue Card, a scheme designed to attract highly qualified workers to the EU.
The proposed changes reflect an EU directive intended to make the 27-nation bloc more competitive in attracting global talent.
The Blue Card allows its holders to work in high-skilled professions, earn competitive salaries, and move within the EU under specific conditions.
Duszczyk said that the reforms balance the need for increased labor market opportunities with safeguards against abuse.
In Poland, employers offering jobs to Blue Card holders must provide a minimum monthly salary of PLN 13,000.
"Poland is implementing these regulations intelligently to enhance opportunities while ensuring the system is not exploited," said Duszczyk.
The proposals have met with a mixed reaction in parliament.
Members of the ruling coalition expressed support for the proposals, emphasizing the need for orderly immigration and safeguards for Polish workers.
Meanwhile, opposition lawmakers raised concerns about both the stringency and adequacy of the reforms.
Some MPs criticized the student visa reforms as overly restrictive, potentially limiting Poland’s academic competitiveness.
Others argued that the proposals do not go far enough to address illegal migration or protect national security.
The debate also addressed allegations of irregularities in Poland’s visa system, particularly following a report from the Philippines in late 2024 about fraudulent visa intermediaries.
Mościcka-Dendys refuted claims of systemic issues, attributing the problems to rogue agents.
She said that demand for Polish visas has dropped in countries such as Pakistan due to the introduction of stricter safeguards.
The legislative package has been forwarded to the special parliamentary committee for further review.
The government plans to integrate the reforms into broader strategies, including a new program to attract members of the Polish diaspora to fill labor shortages.
These discussions come after Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski in October pledged to close gaps in the country's visa system, accusing the previous government of losing control over visa management.
(rt/gs)
Source: IAR, PAP