Hundreds of lawyers, academics and policymakers gathered today at the University of Warsaw’s Faculty of Law for the inaugural Congress on Migration and Refugee Law, a two-day event running 28–29 September 2026. Co-organised by the Association for Legal Intervention and UNHCR Poland, the congress aims to dissect Poland’s rapid legislative churn—from the 2025 Foreigners-Act overhaul to this year’s digital MOS residence platform and tighter work-permit rules. Opening remarks from Professor Sławomir Żółtek framed migration law as a “moving target” subject to heightened political polarisation. Keynote panels tackled hot-button issues such as Poland’s prolonged internal border controls, the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum, and labour-market access for holders of the post-Ukraine “UKR” temporary-protection status. For in-house mobility teams the congress offers rare, consolidated intelligence. Workshops led by Fragomen and other practitioners examined chronic processing delays for work and residence permits and offered strategies—such as simultaneous MOS filings in multiple voivodeships—to shorten timelines. Another session explored how the forthcoming Entry/Exit System (EES) and ETIAS will change border-crossing compliance for third-country business travellers. Large employers are paying close attention to mooted reforms that could introduce a points-based talent visa in 2027. Although still at concept stage, officials from the Ministry of Family and Social Policy signalled willingness to pilot an “innovation visa” tied to salary and sector thresholds. Conference materials and session recordings will be published online next week; interested companies can also join a newly formed Network of Migration Lawyers to receive monthly legislative trackers.
Source: Kongres Prawa Migracyjnego
