Any international visitors to Poland are required to get a visa. See if you are one of them and learn how to apply for the form, as well as what types of visas are available in Poland and which one is needed in your specific situation.

Who requires a visa?

When entering Poland with the intention of staying for less than 90 days, you normally do not require a visa. However, there are several countries where residents are required to receive it even though they are only visiting for a short time. If you are from a non-Schengen region, also known as a third country, this should raise red flags. Check the Polish Office for Foreigners website to see how you can go to Poland without a visa. If your country is not on the registry, you must apply for a visa.

Visa classifications

You must settle on the form of document you would need prior to your arrival.

• A type visa ‘transit

This form of visa allows you to fly via Poland to another Schengen zone nation without staying somewhere other than the airport's transit area. It is not widely used because it is only needed for nationals of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, and Sri Lanka.

• C Type visa  ‘Schengen’ (short-term)

If you want to visit Poland for a limited period of time (up to 90 days in a half-year period) and are a citizen of a country whose citizens are required to get a visa, the Schengen visa is for you. Form C helps you to access not only Poland, but also other Schengen Region countries. Please keep in mind that the 90-day cycle begins the day you cross the Polish border. This period can be divided over several stays, but the visa expires after 180 days.

• D Type visa ‘national’

If your stay will be 91 days or more (in one visit or more within the 180-day period), you can apply for a national visa. Apart from entering Poland, it requires you to visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in a half-year period, equivalent to the form C visa. It is applicable for the time period specified in the contract, which is usually no more than a year. After this period, you can apply for a visa extension.

Is it for pleasure or business?

The authorities can request details about the intention of your visit whether you have a visa type C or D. You can choose from a list of reasons to remain in Poland. You will be given all of the potential responses, some of which include tourism, visiting relatives or friends, participating in sporting activities, starting your own company, attending conferences, and so on. When it comes to national visas, the length of your stay is determined by the intent of your visit.

How can we get to the bottom of this?

Contact the Republic of Poland's nearest consular point until you know what visa you need to enter Poland and have stated the intention of your visit. Foreigners are normally required to visit the consulate in order to print the application form. At this stage, you may also begin completing all of the documentation required for the visa's issuance. In addition to the above form with your signature, you may require:

• Travel documents valid for three months before (type D) or after (type C) the expiration of your visa, with at least two blank pages published during the last decade;
• A biometric photograph;
• If you are applying for a form C visa, you must have health insurance worth at least EUR 30,000.
• Any documentation verifying the intent of your visit, your lodging in Poland*, your possession of adequate funds to finance your admission, stay, and departure**, your ability to exit the Schengen zone after your visa expires (type C), or your need to stay in Poland for more than 90 days (type D);
• Visa application fee

You could be required to provide additional documentation as well. The related consulate will provide you with all of the requisite details.

What is the cost of this?

You should keep in mind that applying for a visa is not free. And if the visa is not issued, there is a charge included with the permit that is non-refundable. However, once you receive it, you will be required to pay a visa charge, which is not set and varies depending on the country of birth. In general, it should not be more than EUR 70.

Where do I apply?

As previously said, most foreigners seeking a visa are directed to the consulate's website, where the visa application form can be printed. Once completed and signed, you must go to a Polish consulate in your country of birth. A list of these placements is available on the internet. It is also where you can find the most up-to-date information about current laws and legal actions.

We hope our Polish visa guide has addressed all of your questions and concerns. Best wishes for your submission and I hope to see you in Poland.