Poland
New draft law introduces online residence applications
On 5 August 2025, the government announced that it had adopted a draft law amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts, submitted by the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration.
Among other changes, the new regulations enable the submission of electronic applications for temporary residence permits, permanent residence permits and for long-term residence of the EU.
The online system will also allow Ukrainian citizens who are covered by temporary protection to apply for temporary residence for three years.
The project also introduces changes to the procedure for committing to return and placing minors in the centres.
The institution of induction on the obligation to leave Poland is introduced if the decision on deportation was issued by another EU country.
- Poland will not have to issue its own decision to return.
- This will speed up the transfer of foreigners to countries conducting the return procedure.
- This is a step towards a common system for the recognition of return decisions throughout the European Union.
The adopted solutions will come into force in accordance with the announcement of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration, which will be published in the Official Journal.
United Kingdom
Statement of changes introduces small boats transfer pilot scheme
On 5 August 2025, the government published a brief statement of changes to the Immigration Rules, introducing a new “Appendix UK/European Applicant Transfer Scheme”.
This follows the announcement on 4 August 2025 that a new agreement with France has come into force, allowing the UK to detain and return to France any asylum seekers who cross the Channel by small boat.
Under the ‘one-in, one-out’ pilot scheme, an equal number of migrants will be eligible to come to the UK through a new route if they have not attempted an illegal crossing before – subject to full documentation and security and eligibility checks.
The new appendix sets out: who is eligible for this Scheme, how they must apply for it, and the requirements they must meet before their application may be granted. The Rules also set out the circumstances under which permission may be cancelled.
The Scheme will open for a time-limited application window and is restricted to those in France at the time. The Scheme allows for adults and family groups of parents and children from all nationalities (bar a national of an EEA Member State or to those who enjoy free movement rights as a family member of an EEA national) to express an interest in coming to the UK. Those whose application is approved and who meet security checks will be able to come to the UK for three months to consider how to regularise their stay in the UK.
The treaty governing the pilot scheme will remain in force until June 2026, and over this period both countries have committed to continually review and improve the process and effectiveness of this innovative approach, pending decisions on the long-term future of the arrangements after June 2026.
