Tusk: Poland cuts work visa issuance by 87% and triples deportations

Polish authorities have radically changed their approach to migration control, significantly restricting foreign nationals' access to the labour market and intensifying deportation procedures. Prime Minister Donald Tusk announced this on 19 October while presenting the government's results.

Ministry of Interior statistics: sharp decline in visa flows

According to data from the Polish Ministry of Interior, the first quarter of 2026 saw a drastic decrease in the number of permits issued compared to the same period in 2022:

• The number of work visas fell from 123,000 to 16,000, representing an 87% reduction.
• Work permit issuance decreased by 69%, from 122,000 to 38,000.
• The number of foreign national deportations rose from approximately 900 to 2,700, a threefold increase.

A separate trend was noted regarding student visas: their number decreased by 65%, from nearly 31,000 in 2021 to approximately 11,000 in 2025. However, these figures cover different time periods, making a direct comparison inaccurate.

Government stance: restoring control and criticism of predecessors

In a video address, Donald Tusk emphasised that the current authorities have restored effective control over migration processes. The Prime Minister criticised the previous government for insufficient strictness in checks during the issuance of visa documents.

The government attributes the reduction in work visa numbers to intensified scrutiny of applicants and the fight against sham employment. Meanwhile, as noted, the figures provided demonstrate policy changes but do not, in themselves, allow for a full assessment of all economic and social consequences of such decisions.

Uncompromising line on security

Donald Tusk stated that Poland does not intend to repeat the migration mistakes of other European states. Among the government's key priorities, he listed:

• protecting borders from illegal migration;
• a stricter asylum policy;
• deporting foreign nationals who violate Polish legislation.

According to the Prime Minister, Polish authorities will act uncompromisingly on security matters. He also presented this position to European leaders during meetings in Brussels.