The Silesian branch of Poland’s Border Guard (Straż Graniczna) confirmed on 19 January 2026 that officers removed three Ukrainian nationals to the custody of Ukrainian authorities over the weekend. Two of the men, apprehended in Bielsko-Biała, had prior convictions for drink-driving, theft, drug possession and vandalism; the third, arrested in Opole, had just completed a sentence for causing grievous bodily harm resulting in death.
In each case a final return decision had been served and enforced. The first two individuals received re-entry bans to the Schengen area lasting five and six years respectively, while the third faces a 10-year prohibition. Since 1 January the Silesian unit alone has issued 13 return orders, illustrating Poland’s stepped-up removal posture as it prepares for the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and tougher returns coordination with Frontex.
For mobility managers the case underscores the importance of rigorous compliance audits: criminal convictions—even for non-violent offences—can trigger mandatory removal and multi-year Schengen bans that derail employee travel across 29 countries. Companies sponsoring Ukrainian staff should verify that any criminal-record certificates remain clean and that work-permit holders understand local law-enforcement thresholds.
![Border Guard hands over three convicted Ukrainians, issues long Schengen bans]()
Employers and travelers needing hands-on help with these compliance challenges can leverage VisaHQ’s Poland desk, which provides end-to-end Schengen visa support, criminal-record translation, and guidance on contesting or shortening entry bans. Full service details are available at https://www.visahq.com/poland/.
The operation also signals closer operational ties between Polish and Ukrainian border agencies, a cooperation expected to intensify as Kyiv moves toward EU accession talks. Removal orders executed in cooperation with the country of origin shorten detention periods inside Poland and free resources for monitoring the Belarus frontier.
Employers planning assignments for individuals with prior Polish convictions should seek specialist advice; once an entry ban is logged into the SIS II system, rehabilitative steps are limited and usually require a court appeal or a wait-out of half the ban’s duration before any waiver can be considered.
In each case a final return decision had been served and enforced. The first two individuals received re-entry bans to the Schengen area lasting five and six years respectively, while the third faces a 10-year prohibition. Since 1 January the Silesian unit alone has issued 13 return orders, illustrating Poland’s stepped-up removal posture as it prepares for the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) and tougher returns coordination with Frontex.
For mobility managers the case underscores the importance of rigorous compliance audits: criminal convictions—even for non-violent offences—can trigger mandatory removal and multi-year Schengen bans that derail employee travel across 29 countries. Companies sponsoring Ukrainian staff should verify that any criminal-record certificates remain clean and that work-permit holders understand local law-enforcement thresholds.
Employers and travelers needing hands-on help with these compliance challenges can leverage VisaHQ’s Poland desk, which provides end-to-end Schengen visa support, criminal-record translation, and guidance on contesting or shortening entry bans. Full service details are available at https://www.visahq.com/poland/.
The operation also signals closer operational ties between Polish and Ukrainian border agencies, a cooperation expected to intensify as Kyiv moves toward EU accession talks. Removal orders executed in cooperation with the country of origin shorten detention periods inside Poland and free resources for monitoring the Belarus frontier.
Employers planning assignments for individuals with prior Polish convictions should seek specialist advice; once an entry ban is logged into the SIS II system, rehabilitative steps are limited and usually require a court appeal or a wait-out of half the ban’s duration before any waiver can be considered.
