Without a visa, the length of your stay should not exceed 90 days in the span of 180 days. This concerns such cases, when you are traveling as a tourist, visiting friends or family, attending business meetings, cultural, or sports events. A longer stay is possible, however, you need to apply for a visa or a residence permit. 

A list of countries, citizens of which can travel visa-free to Poland, can be found here: https://udsc.gov.pl/cudzoziemcy/obywatele-panstw-trzecich/chce-przyjechac-do-polski/czy-potrzebuje-wizy/.

Citizens of non-EU member states, that do not have the right to a visa-free entry and do not have a different document that would give them the right to entry (e.g., residence card) must obtain a visa. 

Pay attention! The European Union will not issue Schengen visas to citizens who received Russian passports in the DNR, LNR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions, as well as in Abkhazia and South Ossetia.

Citizens of Belarus should take into account the fact that before registering for submission of documents to the Polish visa center, they will first have to be verified through the Interbank Identification System. All Belarusians over 18 years old must do it.

Now, to apply for a visa, Belarusians have to go through 3 steps:

1 Step - Verification: Click here to go to Interbank Identification System website for national ID card verification and receive the verification code (the code is valid for 1 hour)

2 Step - Registration: apply on the VFS website, following the usual process

3 Step - Confirmation: receive an email confirming the date and time of submission.

Types of visas

A foreigner can apply for a Schengen or national visa. 

A Schengen visa, denoted by the symbol "C", is issued to foreigners planning to stay in Poland or in countries of Schengen Area (during a single or multiple entries) up to 90 days in the span of 180 days. This period is calculated from the date of first entry. Such a visa is also issued to those foreigners who plan to enter the Schengen zone for the purpose of transit (by train, car).

The national visa, denoted by the symbol "D", gives the right to enter and stay in Poland continuously or for multiple consecutive stays lasting more than 3 months in total. The validity period of a national visa cannot exceed 1 year. The period of stay on the basis of a national visa is established in accordance with the purpose of stay indicated by the foreigner.

Visas are issued in connection with a specific purpose. The purpose of the visa is indicated on the visa sticker using one of the following numerical codes. A Schengen or national visa may be issued in connection with:

1. Tourism;

2. Visiting family or friends;

3. Participation in sports events;

4. Cultural activities or participation in conferences, etc.

The procedure of obtaining a visa to Poland

The visa is issued before arrival in Poland at the consulate or embassy. The visa application is considered by the consular or diplomatic body at the place of residence of the applicant who submits the visa application.

In order to make an appointment you usually need to fill out a visa application on the e-Konsulat website: https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/. 

Attention! In both cases, you must submit a complete set of documents required for obtaining a visa (information about this is available below). Before making an appointment, it is recommended to contact the consular department or visa center, where you will be applying, to clarify which additional documents are required in a specific situation.

Main documents 

The main set of documents required for visa issuance:

• Completed and signed visa application

• Travel document. In order for the consul to issue a visa, the travel document must contain at least two blank pages and be issued within the last ten years

• 1 or 2 photos that meet the requirements

• Visa fee (its amount depends on the type of visa and the applicant's citizenship; the visa fee must be paid before submitting the visa application; this fee is not refundable in case of refusal to issue a visa)

• Confirmation of the availability of relevant valid medical insurance for the amount of at least 30,000 euros, purchased from a company that meets the relevant criteria. Insurance companies that meet the criteria are listed on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/wizy. 

The cost of a Tourism Schengen visa is 90 euros for adults and 45.00 euros for children between 6-12 years of age. The reduced rate of 35 euros is available for nationals from Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus, and the reduced rate of 67.50 euros is available for nationals from Cabo Verde. Schengen Visa is free for children younger than six years of age.

The decision to issue or refuse to issue a national visa must be made within 15 days from the date of submission of the application. In special cases, the term can be extended up to 60 days.

Humanitarian visas

When applying for a visa, you must provide:

• Completed and signed visa application about for the issuance of a national visa with a photo

• Valid passport issued during the last 10 years and with two blank pages

• Medical insurance valid for the desired period of stay in Poland

• Written declaration of desire to obtain a visa to Poland.

A humanitarian visa is issued for a maximum of 1 year. Issuing a visa is free of charge.

Starting on the 1st December, 2020, individuals with a humanitarian visa can legally work in Poland without an employment permit.

Additional documents

When entering Poland, a foreigner must have:

• Passport (which was issued within the last 10 years and must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of return from the territory of the Republic of Poland) or another valid travel document;

• A valid visa or other valid document that gives the right to enter and stay in this territory, if they are needed;

• Medical insurance in the amount of at least 30,000 euros;

• In the case of transit through Poland to another country – a permit to enter another country or a permit to stay in another country;

• Documentary confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds to cover the costs of living in Poland and returning to the country of origin.

Attention! For citizens of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, only a valid travel document or valid ID is required.

Please also note that when entering the territory of Poland within the visa-free regime (which counts as a short-term stay), not only the validity of the existing passport is checked, but also whether the foreigner has not already used the entire allowed limit, which is 90 days in the span of 180 days staying in the Schengen area.

What amount of money is required when entering Poland?

The border service has the right to demand from a foreigner documentary confirmation of the availability of sufficient funds to cover the costs of living in Poland and returning to the country of origin.

The amount of such funds depends on the duration of the planned stay and is:

• 300 zlotys, if the planned stay does not exceed 4 days, or

• 75 zlotys for each day of the planned stay, if the planned stay exceeds 4 days.

The size of such funds depends on the foreigner's country of origin but n the area equivalent to the cost of a return ticket. If a foreigner does not have a return ticket, when crossing the border they must have:

• 200 zlotys if they came from a country neighboring the Republic of Poland, or

• 500 zlotys if they arrived from a member state of the European Union, other than those mentioned above, or

• 2500 zlotys if they came from a state that is not a member of the European Union. 

Attention! A foreigner does not always have to document the presence of financial resources. They are exempt from this responsibility if they are crossing the border, apart from other, for these reasons:

• With a visa issued in connection with the performance of work,

• With a visa issued on the basis of the Polish Card,

• With stay cards.

Please note that a foreigner who comes to the territory of the Republic of Poland in connection with the start or continuation of higher education, participates in conducting scientific research or research and development works or courses, as well as the start or continuation of studies, must have financial. costs at least 1,270 zlotys for the first 2 months of the planned stay.

Invitation

Additionally, an invitation can be a document confirming the availability of a sufficient amount of funds for maintenance during a stay in Poland and for returning to the country of final or permanent residence. A foreigner can provide an invitation when submitting a visa application and during border control.

Attention! The invitation is not a document that gives the right to enter Poland, in order to enter Poland, after receiving the invitation, the foreigner must apply for a visa (if it is needed in his case).

Registration of invitations of foreigners to Poland is carried out at the request of the person being invited, by making an entry in the registration of invitations. The inviting person submits an application to enter the invitation for registration to the Voivodeship authority at the place of residence.

Who can apply for an invitation to register invitations?

The following can submit an application for entering an invitation to the registration:

• Citizens of Poland who live in the territory of the Republic of Poland, citizens of another EU/EEA member states/Switzerland or members of their family who live in the territory of the Republic of Poland and have the right of residence in its territory, or

• A foreigner who has been staying in the territory of the Republic of Poland for at least 5 years continuously after issuing an invitation on legal grounds, or

• A foreigner who has a permanent residence permit, or

• A foreigner who has a long-term EU resident's residence permit, or

• A legal entity or an unincorporated enterprise registered on the territory of the Republic of Poland.