Poland is set to implement a new biometric-based IT system to eliminate visa brokers and ensure fair access to visa appointments for Indian applicants. The Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) aims to curb the exploitation of the visa appointment system by intermediaries who monopolize and resell slots at high prices.
The new system, scheduled for rollout this year, is undergoing legislative and technical refinements. Although no official launch date has been provided, India is among the first countries where the system will be piloted, alongside the Philippines and Uzbekistan. Many Indian workers, students, and professionals applying for Polish visas have struggled to secure appointments due to agents manipulating the booking process and charging inflated rates.
Under the new process, only applicants will be able to book appointments directly, thereby blocking unauthorized agents from accessing the system. A key feature of this system is an identity verification mechanism, expected to incorporate biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition. This measure is designed to prevent individuals from booking multiple slots under false identities and selling them for profit. As a result, Indian applicants may soon be required to undergo biometric screening while scheduling visa appointments online.
The MFA has confirmed that the new system will integrate with Poland’s existing eKonsulat platform and a new consular e-services platform currently in development. According to Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, Indian applicants, including IT professionals and skilled workers, have faced difficulties securing visa appointments through official channels. Polish employers, particularly in the technology and manufacturing sectors, have voiced concerns over the lack of available slots, which has forced them to rely on intermediaries. While appointment slots often appear unavailable through official sources, agents have managed to secure them instantly and resell them at exorbitant prices.
The implementation of this new system follows recent investigations into irregularities in Poland’s visa issuance process. A state audit covering 2018 to 2023 found that standard procedures were frequently bypassed, leading to serious concerns over the integrity of the process. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski stated in October 2023 that “unlawful pressure was exercised over Polish consuls with the intention of increasing the number of visas issued to people… who should not necessarily obtain them.” The investigation uncovered 46 irregularities in visa issuance, and former Foreign Affairs Minister Zbigniew Rau was accused of losing control over the process. Notably, more than 4,200 visas were issued by a single agency, with some applicants reportedly paying up to €7,000 for a Polish visa.
One of the most striking cases involved Indian nationals obtaining visas by falsely claiming to be Bollywood filmmakers. Investigators later revealed that many of these individuals were actually farmers who had paid up to €36,582 (Rs 33 lakh) for visas, using them to travel onwards to the United States.
With the introduction of the new biometric system, Polish authorities expect to enhance transparency, prevent fraud, and ensure that visa appointments are fairly distributed. The initiative represents a significant step toward restoring integrity in Poland’s visa process and addressing long-standing concerns from both applicants and Polish employers.
