The Polish government has unveiled the “Comprehensive and Responsible Migration Strategy for Poland for 2025-2030”. The strategy is aimed at establishing a cohesive, long-term migration framework that not only enhances national security, but also promotes the development of the Polish economy.
The legislative strategy will impact business immigration by increasing certainty over the long term and could lead to increased trust in immigration as a positive contributor to Poland. However the definitive impact of the wide ranging measures remains to be seen.
On 15 October 2024 the Polish government introduced the Migration Strategy for 2025-2030, guided by the principle “Restore control and ensure security”. The strategy prioritizes preventing migration processes from increasing uncertainty in the daily lives of Polish citizens. It emphasizes the importance of national security and advocates for strictly regulated immigration policies to control the purpose, scale, and origin of migration.
Key areas include:
The primary focus of Poland’s migration policy is ensuring national security, especially in light of current geopolitical challenges. Immigration processes should avoid uncertainty in daily life and the public institutions must ensure their compliance with societal and economic needs, particularly in the labor market. Legal migrants are an integral part of society; they should respect Polish culture, while their rights must also be respected.
Poland is critical of the EU’s Migration and Asylum Pact and the government prioritizes national security and opposes any migration measures that would compromise it.
Maintaining strong relations with the Polish diaspora is also a key objective. Instruments will be introduced to encourage returns to Poland from the diaspora.
A central body, the Interdepartmental Migration Team, will coordinate and monitor the implementation of this strategy, ensuring consistent action across all government levels. Moreover, a separate central institution with broad competencies will be established to manage migration policy, based on the current Office for Foreigners. This body will be essential for the long-term execution of Poland’s migration goals.
The strategy implements a “selective model” in Poland’s visa and border control policies.
While Poland adheres to EU regulations, it must retain flexibility in managing access to its territory, especially for employment and education purposes with a focus on attracting skilled migrants and addressing labor market needs (e.g. necessary to complete strategic investments in Poland).
Poland’s visa system will be digitized to prevent abuse and ensure efficient processing. Consular officers will play a key role and concentrate on reviewing the information submitted by the visa applicant but also this provided by the network of domestic institutions (e.g. tax or social security offices). Digitization will also include the residence permit processes to speed up the processing times.
Border control, especially with Belarus and Russia, remains a critical concern due to migration-related destabilization efforts.
Temporary internal EU/Schengen border controls is a key instrument preventing a secondary mobility of immigrants and physical and electronic barriers are to be implemented to prevent illegal crossings.
Efforts will also be made to enhance the system of migrant returns, with voluntary and forced return programs. Lastly, there are plans to combat organized crime linked to migration, as well as improve cross-border cooperation to maintain security and facilitate legal trade and migration.
Additionally, a new system of issuing humanitarian visas is proposed.
Poland emphasizes the need for the right to deny entry to foreigners applying for international protection if they pose a threat (proposals for temporarily suspending asylum applications). A comprehensive integration program will be established for granted protections, influencing their path to permanent residency and citizenship.
The country will also implement a humanitarian stay program to create legal migration channels and combat human trafficking.
Immigration policy should prioritize permitting foreign workers to fill critical job shortages but under certain conditions, such as having citizenship from OECD countries and possessing unique skills.
A “blue card” system for highly skilled workers will be maintained, and regulations for the employment of foreigners from specific countries (such as Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia or Armenia) will be evaluated by 2025. Poland will also adopt a points-based model for labor immigration and enhance protections against abuses in seasonal work.
To streamline the employment process, Poland plans to implement digital systems for managing work permits. Incentives for employers engaging in integration of foreigners are planned. Regulations for recognizing foreign qualifications will be reviewed to optimize the professional potential of migrant workers. The strategy assumes the reform in relation to employment agencies, especially in relation to “employee outsourcing”.
Recruitment of foreign students and researchers needs reform to maintain the quality of education and the prestige of Polish diplomas. Key changes include verifying language proficiency, confirming education qualifications, and possibly introducing limits for foreign students in fields related to national security. Poland aims to attract talented individuals but will enforce stricter monitoring of foreign students’ attendance (each semester) and their legal stay as well as the institutions’ eligibility to recruit them.
A fast-track visa system will be introduced for scientists involved in prestigious research grants. Integration of foreign children in Polish schools has also become a priority, especially after the recent influx from Ukraine, with a focus on integrating them into the Polish education system instead of relying on alternative systems from their home countries.
Poland plans to link immigration and integration policies, emphasizing language skills, adherence to laws, and active participation in society. Employers will play a vital role in integration and will be provided with tools to support the integration of foreign workers. Funding these tools will be mandatory for employers hiring foreign nationals.
Key efforts will focus on integrating Ukrainian immigrants and implementing education programs to prevent extremism. Schools and employers will play vital roles, and integration support will be prioritized across various sectors.
It is expected that the number of applications for citizenship will rise, prompting the need for changes to ensure security and credibility in the process, including language proficiency and genuine ties to Poland. Modifications will be made to the procedure for recognizing foreigners as Polish citizens, introducing a citizenship test and stricter criteria. Additionally, measures will be taken to address issues related to repatriation and the issuance of the Pole’s Card.
The government’s key focus is on maintaining ties with the diaspora, particularly through language education and supporting returnees. Initiatives will include remote language courses, scholarships for emigrants’ children to study in Poland, and incentives for the diaspora to return. Polish schools abroad will be reviewed, and more emphasis will be placed on civic education and promoting Poland’s international role. Improved institutional coordination and funding transparency are also prioritized, with potential plans to establish a cultural diplomacy institution.
The immigration strategy, focusing on security, economic development, and migrant integration, is already reflected in proposed legislative changes – with drafts of two important immigration acts recently introduced.
One of the significant shifts we can expect is the increasing digitalization of immigration processes and enhanced data analysis by immigration authorities. While this transition may initially result in longer procedures, in the long term, it is expected to make processes more objective and improve security. Additionally, this approach should ensure that the workers entering Poland are those who can address the growing skills gaps caused by the country’s demographic challenges.
As Poland has relatively little experience hosting large groups of immigrants, the strategy is expected to increase social acceptance for migration.
For employers, the 2025-2030 migration strategy presents both opportunities and challenges. On the one hand, it opens access to international workers, which can help address labor shortages. On the other hand, it requires businesses to adapt to new realities, including cultural and language integration, and prepare for regulatory changes. This will necessitate the implementation of innovative programs and detailed internal procedures to meet government expectations in supporting diversity and the integration of migrants in Poland. Funding these integration tools and instruments will require careful review and adjustments to align with business cultures.
Moreover, the strategy will demand close cooperation between employers and the administration to ensure the legal employment of migrants and compliance with relevant procedures. With the reintroduction of internal border controls, companies will need to enhance their business travel policies and internal monitoring tools. The planned information exchange network, linking immigration authorities with other domestic institutions (such as tax and social security offices), will heighten the importance of compliance across multiple areas, not just immigration.
Some restrictions may also affect Employers of Record operating in Poland, potentially forcing them to restructure their business models in response to the new laws and limitations placed on their activities.
For a deeper discussion on the above, please reach out to your Vialto Partners point of contact, or alternatively:
Jadwiga Chorązka
Partner
Emilia Piechota
Immigration Director
Agnieszka Kucharska
Immigration Senior Manager
Further information on Vialto Partners can be found here: www.vialtopartners.com
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