In one of the largest single-day enforcement actions so far this year, officers from the Śląsk (Silesian) unit of the Polish Border Guard swooped on a production site near Nysa, Opole Voivodeship, detaining 32 Filipino and six Colombian nationals who were working without the required permits(tvs.pl). According to the agency’s report, the workers had been supplied by an employment agency that failed to secure work-authorisation documents and residence titles, apparently assuming that the client company would not verify the workers’ legal status.
Thirty-seven of the migrants have already received return-order decisions giving them 30 days to leave Poland and imposing a one-year re-entry ban to the entire Schengen Area. Four Colombian nationals face additional criminal charges for having obtained entry to Poland “by deceit”, a felony under Article 264 §2 of the Polish Criminal Code(tvs.pl). The Border Guard has also opened an investigation into the staffing agency and its subcontractor to determine whether the breach was the result of gross negligence or an intentional scheme.
![Polish Border Guard Raid in Opole Region Uncovers 38 Undocumented Foreign Workers]()
Navigating Poland’s shifting rules on visas, work permits and digital filings can be challenging for both employers and assignees. VisaHQ’s Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) consolidates the latest requirements and lets users apply for the necessary documents online, track application status and receive expert guidance—helping companies avoid exactly the kind of compliance lapses spotlighted in this raid.
The raid highlights the growing compliance pressure on Polish employers as the government tightens oversight of temporary staffing chains. Since 1 June 2025, Poland has required fully digital work-permit filings and abolished the labour-market test, making it easier—but also more transparent—for companies to hire legally. Border Guard statistics show that more than 300 deportation orders have already been issued nationwide in the first six weeks of 2026, mostly for illegal employment and overstays, signalling that workplace inspections will remain a priority.
For multinationals operating in Poland, the case is a reminder that relying on third-party labour providers does not absolve end-users of liability. HR and mobility managers are advised to request copies of residence permits and verify workers in the government’s MOS e-portal before onboarding. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to PLN 30,000 per worker, reputational damage and, in serious cases, suspension of the company’s ability to sponsor foreign staff.
Thirty-seven of the migrants have already received return-order decisions giving them 30 days to leave Poland and imposing a one-year re-entry ban to the entire Schengen Area. Four Colombian nationals face additional criminal charges for having obtained entry to Poland “by deceit”, a felony under Article 264 §2 of the Polish Criminal Code(tvs.pl). The Border Guard has also opened an investigation into the staffing agency and its subcontractor to determine whether the breach was the result of gross negligence or an intentional scheme.
Navigating Poland’s shifting rules on visas, work permits and digital filings can be challenging for both employers and assignees. VisaHQ’s Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) consolidates the latest requirements and lets users apply for the necessary documents online, track application status and receive expert guidance—helping companies avoid exactly the kind of compliance lapses spotlighted in this raid.
The raid highlights the growing compliance pressure on Polish employers as the government tightens oversight of temporary staffing chains. Since 1 June 2025, Poland has required fully digital work-permit filings and abolished the labour-market test, making it easier—but also more transparent—for companies to hire legally. Border Guard statistics show that more than 300 deportation orders have already been issued nationwide in the first six weeks of 2026, mostly for illegal employment and overstays, signalling that workplace inspections will remain a priority.
For multinationals operating in Poland, the case is a reminder that relying on third-party labour providers does not absolve end-users of liability. HR and mobility managers are advised to request copies of residence permits and verify workers in the government’s MOS e-portal before onboarding. Failure to do so can result in fines of up to PLN 30,000 per worker, reputational damage and, in serious cases, suspension of the company’s ability to sponsor foreign staff.
