Polish Authorities Clarify Visa Process, Work to Block Intermediary Exploitation

Polish authorities have reiterated their warning to visa applicants, particularly in countries like India, to avoid using unauthorized intermediaries such as travel agencies, employment agents, or visa centers when applying for Polish visas.

Embassy Confirms No Cooperation With Third-Party Agents

The Polish Embassy in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai have confirmed that they do not collaborate with any external private agencies, and emphasized that applicants receive no special advantage by using intermediary services. According to the embassy, every visa application must follow the same official procedure and be submitted through proper channels.

Every Application is Individually Assessed

Authorities explained that each application is reviewed individually and thoroughly. They emphasized that intermediaries have no involvement or influence in the decision-making process. Furthermore, applicants were reminded that the only required fee when applying directly is the official consular fee, unlike the high and often unjustified charges imposed by agents.

New IT System to Combat Appointment Exploitation

In response to widespread complaints from nationals of third countries, the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced plans to launch a secure IT system designed to block intermediaries from monopolizing visa appointment slots.

This upcoming system will include:

• Advanced electronic services to verify the identity of those booking appointments
• The likely integration of biometric verification to ensure that only genuine applicants are able to access appointments

Rollout to Start in High-Risk Migration Countries

The system is expected to be launched initially in a group of “high-risk migration countries”, including:

• India
• The Philippines
• Uzbekistan

Once proven effective, the mechanism will be gradually extended to include additional countries where intermediary exploitation of visa appointments is prevalent.