A significant portion of international students, ranging between 40% and 50%, may not arrive in Poland to pursue their education this year, according to Krzysztof Szymański, a representative from the Marhaba Poland agency, which specializes in recruiting foreign students for Polish universities. This alarming trend is expected to have a considerable impact on higher education institutions in the country and may also tarnish Poland's reputation as a destination for international students.

Szymański highlighted the problematic timing of new regulations introduced by Polish consulates, which were implemented during the university recruitment process without proper consultation with educational institutions. According to him, the sudden introduction of these rules has created significant barriers for incoming students, leading to a high number of visa rejections and delays.

"These measures were implemented at a crucial time, and without input from the universities, resulting in serious consequences for both the institutions and the students themselves," Szymański explained. He emphasized that the verification process for students should be completed before they arrive in Poland, similar to the system in Lithuania, where visa procedures are handled more efficiently.

The current situation marks a sharp contrast to previous years. In 2019, Poland issued approximately 33,300 student visas, of which only 10.3% were rejected. In comparison, recent figures suggest a much higher rate of visa denials, further complicating the situation for both universities and prospective students.

The potential decline in international student enrollment poses a challenge for Polish universities, which rely on foreign students for diversity and financial stability. It also risks damaging Poland’s standing as an attractive and accessible destination for higher education in Europe.