Poland’s Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński confirmed that a joint 48-hour operation by the National Police and the Border Guard resulted in the detention of 140 foreign nationals on 2–3 March 2026. The coordinated sweep involved nearly 1,800 spot-checks at worksites, hostels and transport hubs across all 16 voivodeships.
According to official data, 91 of those detained were Ukrainian citizens, followed by 14 Georgians, eight Belarusians, three Moldovans, two Russians and a mixed group of 29 other nationalities, including a Brazilian suspect wanted on an Interpol Red Notice. Proceedings to oblige 112 individuals to leave Poland have already begun; 20 cases cite national-security grounds.
Authorities framed the action as the first large-scale enforcement push of 2026 and a signal that post-pandemic tolerance for paperwork lapses has ended. The Border Guard stressed that overstaying a visa-free period or failing to update a residence card in the MOS system now triggers near-automatic return proceedings.
![Nationwide sweep nets 140 foreigners in Poland for immigration violations]()
Individuals and employers looking to stay ahead of these stricter controls can simplify the process through VisaHQ; the company’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) helps track visa validity, sends timely reminder alerts and assists with the swift filing of Polish work-permit and residence documents—support that can prove invaluable when inspectors arrive without warning.
For companies the message is clear: expect more unannounced inspections. Audit trails showing timely MOS filings, valid health insurance and up-to-date employment contracts are no longer best practice—they are a survival requirement. Employers found to have knowingly hired irregular migrants face fines of up to PLN 30,000 per worker and a temporary ban on accessing work-permit quotas.
The ministry added that three similar operations are planned before the summer holiday season to deter irregular migration flows linked to seasonal work.
According to official data, 91 of those detained were Ukrainian citizens, followed by 14 Georgians, eight Belarusians, three Moldovans, two Russians and a mixed group of 29 other nationalities, including a Brazilian suspect wanted on an Interpol Red Notice. Proceedings to oblige 112 individuals to leave Poland have already begun; 20 cases cite national-security grounds.
Authorities framed the action as the first large-scale enforcement push of 2026 and a signal that post-pandemic tolerance for paperwork lapses has ended. The Border Guard stressed that overstaying a visa-free period or failing to update a residence card in the MOS system now triggers near-automatic return proceedings.
Individuals and employers looking to stay ahead of these stricter controls can simplify the process through VisaHQ; the company’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) helps track visa validity, sends timely reminder alerts and assists with the swift filing of Polish work-permit and residence documents—support that can prove invaluable when inspectors arrive without warning.
For companies the message is clear: expect more unannounced inspections. Audit trails showing timely MOS filings, valid health insurance and up-to-date employment contracts are no longer best practice—they are a survival requirement. Employers found to have knowingly hired irregular migrants face fines of up to PLN 30,000 per worker and a temporary ban on accessing work-permit quotas.
The ministry added that three similar operations are planned before the summer holiday season to deter irregular migration flows linked to seasonal work.
