The Carpathian Division of Poland’s Border Guard reported on 21 September that a week-long operation in Małopolskie and Świętokrzyskie had uncovered multiple cases of irregular stay. Six individuals—from Vietnam, Indonesia, Colombia and Kenya—were served return decisions and Schengen-wide re-entry bans of up to 12 months. Officers conducted document checks at workplaces in Strawczyn, Jordanów, Kraków and Starachowice, focusing on sectors with high non-EU labour, such as hospitality and light manufacturing. Several of the offenders had overstayed expired temporary-residence cards while waiting for new permits, exposing gaps in employer monitoring. Under Poland’s 2026 Foreigners Act the issuance of a return decision now triggers automatic de-registration from the PESEL system, immediately voiding access to public healthcare and social benefits. Companies found to have facilitated the illegal stay face fines of up to PLN 30,000 per worker. The sweep is the latest evidence of stepped-up interior enforcement following reports that some migrants were “visa-hopping” across Schengen internal borders to reset permissible-stay clocks. Corporate mobility teams should verify that employees’ residence permits remain valid and monitor application backlogs at voivodeship offices, which currently average 110 days. Foreign nationals awaiting extension decisions are advised to carry proof of submission and a certified translation when travelling domestically or transiting through other EU states, as on-the-spot checks are becoming more frequent.
Source: Karpacki Border Guard
