Almost one year after the student visa scandalPoland’s Senate has passed a law that aims to tighten the visa rules for foreign students wanting to pursue their studies in Polish higher education institutions.
The law was passed without any additional changes with 61 votes in favour, 32 against, and one abstaining, Schengen.News reports.
In line with the new rules, the system for issuing national visas and temporary residence permits to foreign students will be reformed, meaning that it will become harder to obtain such documents.
As explained by local media, all third-country nationals applying for a Polish visa for the purpose of studying in the country will need to present a document proving that they have knowledge at the B2 level of the language in which their programme will be taught.
By introducing such a measure, the authorities want to ensure that the main aim of the foreign students is to enter the country for academic purposes and not use this path for other reasons, such as work or irregular stay within the Schengen Area.
In addition to tightening the issuance of visas for foreign students, it has been explained that the authorities will be working more closely with university leaders to detect those who do not meet the rules.
The university leaders will now be obliged to notify the authorities in cases when foreign students who have been granted visas are not attending studies, Nauka w Polsce explains. This way, the authorities will be able to take measures and prevent student visa misuse.
Foreign Student Enrollment Capped at 50% per University Under New Rules
Another change is that Polish universities will not be allowed to admit as many foreign students as they want.
In line with the new rules, a 50 per cent cap on foreign students will be imposed at each university. This means that the number of foreign nationals studying at a Polish university cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total number of students at that institution.
Universities whose foreign students make up over 50 per cent of the total number of students will not be permitted to admit students until this number falls under the set cap.
Additionally, the authorities have explained that a list containing all foreign students admitted to Polish universities will be created. The list will include information about the students and will help keep track of foreign students within the country.
Foreign nationals on student visas will face another restriction, too. They will not be permitted to apply for a temporary residence and work permit.