Poland targets visa brokers with new biometric screening plan for Indian applicants
visa appointment slots at high prices. This move aims to ensure that only genuine applicants can secure appointments without the need for middlemen.
According to Polish daily Rzeczpospolita, India is one of the key countries where this new system will be piloted, alongside the Philippines and Uzbekistan. Many Indian workers, students, and professionals applying for Polish visas have faced difficulties in securing appointments due to intermediaries booking slots and reselling them at high rates. Under the new system, only applicants themselves will be able to schedule appointments, effectively shutting out unauthorized agents.
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Biometric verification and digital screening
The system will introduce an identity verification mechanism, likely using biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition. This step will prevent unauthorized individuals from booking multiple slots and selling them for profit. Indian applicants may soon need to undergo biometric screening while scheduling their visa appointments online.
The MFA has not provided a specific launch date for the system, but it is expected to roll out this year. The initial pilot phase will be tested in high-migration regions, including India, before expanding to other locations. Once fully implemented, the system will integrate with Poland’s existing eKonsulat platform and a new consular e-services platform under development.
