WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland is tightening its visa regulations as investigations into an alleged cash-for-visa scandal confirmed irregularities under the previous right-wing government that cost millions of dollars in public funds, declared the Minister of Foreign Affairs of this European Union country. said Thursday.

Radek Sikorski said it would now be much more difficult to obtain a visa for Poland, a document that gives access to unrestricted travel within the Schengen zone without European borders, and that screening of applicants would be intensified. For example, student visa applications will be scrutinized to avoid situations where they are only used as a means of entering Europe.

On Thursday, the Higher State Audit Office published the report of its investigation into the Foreign Ministry’s visa department and confirmed media allegations from last year that Polish consulates in Asia and Africa took thousands of dollars for each work visa, in violation of regulations. She said she found 46 types of irregularities in five different areas, including a lack of transparency, an environment conducive to corruption and poor supervision by then minister Zbigniew Rau.

One of the most egregious examples involved visas granted to dozens of Indian farmers, described in their documents as Bollywood filmmakers.

The ministry lost control of the visa system, especially between 2018 and 2023, Sikorski said at a news conference.

“We can confirm that, unfortunately, in a scandalous manner, illegal pressure has been placed on Polish consuls with the aim of increasing the number of visas issued to people… who should not necessarily be granted them, including citizens of the Russian Federation,” Sikorski said. said.

He said the ministry was contributing to the process of developing Poland’s new policy to combat illegal immigration, which Prime Minister Donald Tusk is due to present on Saturday.

Earlier this year, Sikorski’s first response to the scandal was to raise visa fees, which were among the cheapest in Europe and attracted migrants from Asia and Africa seeking access to Europe via Poland. The cash-for-visa system was developed under the previous Law and Justice government, in stark contrast to its anti-migrant policies and statements.

The report released Thursday said that between 2018 and early 2024, thousands of visas were issued to people who paid large sums to agencies cooperating with Polish consulates.