Poland Ends Visa-Free Work Route for Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela: New Rules From August 2026

Poland has closed the visa-free path to employment for citizens of Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela since August 15, 2026. Find out what the new rules are, who the transition period from August 22 applies to, and what employers and future employees should now consider

Order an immigration guide and get clear i nstructions for your legal move abroad

ORDER GUIDE

Foreigners from three countries will no longer be able to enter Poland without a visa and then easily obtain a work permit on the spot. Until recently, this was the easiest way to legal employment for citizens of Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela - now this loophole has been closed. Changes to the visa-free regime in Poland come into force in two stages, in mid- and late August 2026, and primarily affect those who plan to travel to the country specifically for work, we tell you.

Also read: What are the most common types of work for foreigners in Poland?

Are you planning to move to a new country and want to figure out in advance how to apply for a residence permit or citizenship?

The "Immigration Guide" from Visit World contains up-to-date step-by-step information on documents, requirements and the procedure for obtaining immigration status for citizens of any country. The guide is individually tailored to your citizenship and destination country and arrives by email in PDF format in just a few minutes. This is a convenient way to prepare for submitting an application in advance, without wasting time searching for disparate information.

Choose your "Immigration Guide" on Visit World now.

Why did Poland change the rules for employing foreigners?

The decision was formalized by an order of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Poland dated August 10, 2026.

Officially, the reason is the fight against illegal migration, shadow employment and abuse of visa-free status - in particular, cases were recorded when the purpose of the trip did not correspond to the declared one, and some foreigners remained in the country illegally. Regarding Colombians and Venezuelans, the Polish authorities additionally refer to increased security risks associated with the possible influence of Russia: for example, in the case of arson of warehouses in Warsaw and Radom, a Colombian citizen was detained.

Read how much does it cost to live in Poland in 2026 at the link.

How did the visa-free regime for working in Poland work before?

Before the changes, holders of passports from Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela could use the usual Schengen visa-free regime – to enter Poland without a visa for a period of up to 90 days within every 180 days. Visa-free entry in itself never gave an automatic right to work: a foreigner still needed a separate work permit or other qualifying grounds.

However, in practice, the scheme was simple. A person entered without a visa, received or already had a type A permit from an employer – and started working legally, staying in the country under visa-free status. It is this route – visa-free entry plus a permit to work on site – that is now closed to the three nationalities mentioned.

Visit World services for tourists, migrants, and expats: Insurance | Guides | Legal advice

The first restriction: from August 15, a visa to Poland will be required

From August 15, 2026, citizens of Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela who travel to Poland to work will have to obtain an appropriate visa in advance - entering Poland for work purposes without it will no longer be possible. This rule is not retroactive: it does not apply to people who have already been to Poland before August 15.

For employers, this means one important thing: you can no longer count on a future employee simply flying in under a visa-free regime and completing work documents on the spot. A visa must be obtained before the trip, which takes additional time and a visit to the consulate.

Find out about the wage level in Poland in 2026 at the link.

The second restriction: what will change from August 22 and the transition period

The second, stricter stage comes in a week. From 22 August 2026, citizens of Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela who entered Poland without a visa and are staying there under visa-free status will, as a rule, no longer be able to start working on the basis of a work permit. An exception is provided for those who started working on the basis of a permit before 22 August, while legally staying in the country without a visa - the transitional rule applies to them, and their status remains protected.

Those who have the right to work on a legal basis other than a standard work permit are also not subject to the new restriction - in particular, certain categories of students and graduates of Polish universities, who, according to Polish immigration law, can work independently.

How will the new rules for obtaining a work visa affect the Polish labor market?

The scale of the possible consequences is shown by statistics: in 2025 alone, 39,092 work permits were issued to citizens of these three countries in Poland, of which 37,337 were issued to Colombians, 1,277 to Venezuelans and 478 to Georgians. This means that the new requirements will affect tens of thousands of people who previously counted on simplified entry.

What should employers and employees do?

Polish companies that already employ or plan to employ citizens of Colombia, Georgia or Venezuela should check the situation of each employee individually:

1. For newly hired employees, apply for a visa and work permit in advance before the departure date, and do not rely on visa-free entry;

2. For those who are already in Poland, find out whether their status falls under the transitional provisions from August 22, and if necessary, prepare the documents before this date;

3. Take into account that consulates may face increased workload due to the new flow of visa applications, and therefore the processing times may increase.

So, for those who plan to move to Poland after August 15: you should not book a trip counting on the fact that visa-free status will be enough to start working. From now on, a visa and, if necessary, a work permit must now be prepared in advance, before leaving the country of origin.

The story of the new Polish restrictions shows once again: before making plans for moving, it is worth figuring out in advance not only the visa, but also what immigration status awaits you next - a temporary or permanent residence permit, and later citizenship. Each of these statuses has its own procedure, requirements for the applicant and a list of documents that differ from country to country.

“Immigration Guide” from Visit World explains step by step how to apply for a residence permit or citizenship on various grounds, and contains contacts of the relevant authority of the destination country - its name, address and even a photo. The guide also contains a complete list of required documents, the cost of application and approximate terms of consideration of the application, requirements for the applicant, rules for filling out the questionnaire and practical advice for staying in the country. The advantages of obtaining citizenship after legal residence are separately described. The guide is formed for a specific citizenship and country of destination, so it will also be suitable for those who are currently planning to move to Poland or any other country.

Learn more about the “Immigration Guide” and apply for yours at Visit World today.

Reminder! Poland is launching a new stage of control in the labor market in 2026, strengthening checks of labor contracts and employment conditions. We have already told you how the new verification system will work, what risks arise for foreign workers and how to work safely in Poland.

Photo – generated by Gemini

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Poland;

Legal consultation on immigration to Poland;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Poland;

Medical insurance worldwide.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information, so if you notice any errors or inconsistencies, please contact our hotline.