The changes to the regulations were developed by an inter-ministerial group. The task was to tighten the regulations so that migrants would not use Polish visas to enter the Schengen area.
Recruitment of students from abroad
Students who want to study at Polish universities and do not have the right to do so will have to:
- present a certificate or other document recognized by administrative decision issued by the Director of the National Academic Exchange Agency (NAWA), as a document that gives the right to apply for admission to first-cycle or long-cycle master’s studies,
- demonstrate knowledge of the language in which education is provided, at least at level B2,
- pass with a positive result an entrance exam held by the entity carrying out the studies or submit to a job interview organized by this entity with a positive result – to verify: – knowledge – to the extent necessary to carry out studies in a specific area, level and profile or – artistic talents, physical aptitude or special predispositions to carry out studies in a specific area, level and profile,
Consideration of these principles will be a condition for granting the unit the right to educate foreigners.
In the case of second-cycle students, it will be necessary to present a diploma of completion of studies recognized by administrative decision of the Director of NAWA, as a document that qualifies them to apply for admission to second-cycle studies, and demonstrate knowledge of the language in which the teaching is provided, at least at level B2.
The way in which students must demonstrate their knowledge of the language will be determined by the minister through regulations.
Conducting studies for foreign students
Additionally, the list of people admitted to studies will be transferred to the POL-o databasen, to which the Minister of Foreign Affairs and consuls will have access. Rectors will be required to inform the consul who issued the national visa to the foreigner for study purposes, if the foreigner does not undertake studies.
Private universities wishing to recruit foreign students will have to be approved by the minister responsible for internal administration. For this purpose, in order to determine whether a given unit meets the conditions for national defence or security, it may request data from the Ministry of National Defence, the Head of the Military Counterintelligence Service, the Head of the Foreign Office (UdSC) and the competent voivode.
Universities offering studies exclusively to foreigners will be under special supervision. This will be grounds for considering that the university conducts studies primarily to facilitate the illegal entry or stay of students in the territory of the Republic of Poland. The consequence may be the unofficial withdrawal of the national visa, the refusal to extend the approval period or the withdrawal of the approval of the institution conducting studies and the issuance of a decision prohibiting the admission of foreigners by the institution conducting studies for a period of up to 5 years.
