According to data from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the number of applications for work visas in Poland has dropped dramatically. In 2024, more than a quarter fewer applications were submitted than the previous year, reaching 252,000. In turn, after three quarters of 2025, this number decreased to 167,000. The vast majority of visas went to Ukrainian citizens, while For workers from Asia or South America, the Polish labor market has become almost inaccessible.
The newspaper emphasizes that the decline in the number of applications is directly related to the tightening of visa regulations introduced in 2024 by Donald Tusk's government. It was a reaction to detected abuses in visa processes that came to light at the end of the rule of Law and Justice.
See also: No more easy visas. The government is tightening rules and increasing fees
Business and education are suffering
However, these changes have serious consequences for the Polish labor market. Many companies, especially those that base their operations on employing foreigners, struggle with filling vacancies. The problem also affects the education sector, where universities have problems attracting foreign students.
A survey conducted in October by the Association of Business Service Leaders (ABSL) and EY shows that almost 77 percent service centers in Poland experienced a negative impact of problems related to relocation and legalization of work and stay of foreigners on their investments. This is a serious challenge for the Polish economy, which still relies on immigrant labor in many sectors.
The daily emphasizes that the tightening of procedures, which was aimed at combating pathologies, brings not only the expected effects, but also unforeseen consequences for enterprises that try to operate in accordance with the law.
See also: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is tightening the visa issuance system
