Types of visas

Before applying for a visa, you must decide what type of visa you will apply for:

Schengen visa (type C)
Visa for people who intend to stay in Poland or other countries of the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days in each 180-day period. This means that you can stay there legally only if your stay in the countries of the zone has not exceeded 90 days in the last 180 days. On the website of the European Commission, you can find a special calculator that allows you to calculate how long you can stay in the Schengen countries.

You can apply for a Schengen visa at a Polish diplomatic mission if:

• Poland is the only purpose of your visit to the Schengen area;
• if you are visiting more than one country of the zone, but Poland is the main place of visit;
• if you are unable to determine which of the Schengen countries is your main destination, but this is the first time you cross the border of the zone in Poland.

In exceptional cases, it is also possible to issue the so-called Schengen LTV visa valid only on the territory of selected countries of the zone.

Domestic Visa (Type D)
Apply for this visa if you want to stay in Poland for more than 90 days. The period of validity of this visa, however, may not exceed 1 year. You must select an application for a national visa if you are applying for asylum, repatriation or you are using the rights given to you by the Pole's Card.

Airport Transit Visa (Type A)
Choose this type of visa if you plan only transit through the international zone of the airport located in the Schengen zone and you are traveling on the basis of a passport of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.

Simplified visa procedure for family members of EU citizens

Who can use the procedure?

REMEMBER: The procedure applies only to family members of EU citizens who do not have Polish citizenship or do not live permanently in Poland. 

EU citizens include:

• nationals of EU Member States, 
• nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

A family member of an EU citizen is considered to be:

• a spouse of an EU citizen,
• a direct descendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, aged up to 21 or dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse,
• direct ascendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse.

What does the simplified procedure entitle you to:

• The visa application is free of charge.
• Your application will be accepted at the diplomatic mission without having to make an appointment in advance.

Required documents:

• a printed and signed visa application form (filled in on the e-konsulat website );
• a current, color photograph with dimensions of 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
• valid passport;
• a document confirming the existence of family ties with the EU citizen (e.g. marriage certificate, birth certificate);
• a document confirming the fact of accompanying the EU citizen on the journey or joining him at the place of residence.

Refusal to issue a visa

The basis for issuing a negative decision may only be:

• entry into the list of people whose stay in Poland is undesirable;
• negative opinion of the visa authorities, which consider that your stay may pose a threat to the defense or national security or the protection of safety, order, and public health. 

Refusal to issue a visa by a consul takes the form of a decision. The decision to refuse this type of visa may be appealed against the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Biometric data

When submitting your visa application, your biometric data will be collected: a photo in the case of a national visa and a photo and fingerprints for Schengen visa applications.

If you have applied for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months and your fingerprints have been collected, you will not have to submit them again - the system will automatically transfer your data.

The following persons are exempt from the obligation to collect fingerprints:

• children under the age of 12;
• persons for whom fingerprinting is physically impossible (e.g. due to the lack of fingers or their temporary trauma);
• heads of state or government and members of national governments with accompanying spouses, and the members of their official delegation when they are officially invited;
• monarchs and important senior members of the royal family when invited for official purposes.

Personal data

The authority responsible for the processing of data in the visa information system (VIS) is the Central Technical Authority of the KSI, Police Headquarters, ul. Puławska 148/150, 02-624 Warsaw.

Complaints regarding the protection of personal data are considered by the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection, ul. Stawki 2, 00-193 Warsaw.

Where will you handle the matter?

You can submit the application to the territorially competent consular office of the Republic of Poland.

Do you have to submit documents in person?

You must apply for a visa in person. The diplomatic mission does not accept applications sent by fax, letter, or e-mail.

How will you make an appointment?

You can make an appointment for the visa application in the e-konsulat system, within the available dates.

What documents do you need to submit?

1. A completed, printed, and signed visa application form in the e-konsulat system.
2. Two (02) color photos measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm. The photo should be:
   • sharp, made on a white background and printed on high-quality paper,
   • not older than 6 months,
   • taken straight ahead, showing clearly the eyes and face from both sides from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders, so that the face is 70 -80% of photos. Please take off your hat for the photos.
3. Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months from the date of the planned return, with at least 2 blank pages. If you have a second valid passport, it must be attached to the visa application.
4. Copy of the page in the passport with personal data and photo, and copies of all pages of the passport with visas or stamps.  
5. Health insurance
   • Applicants for a Schengen (uniform) visa for one or two entries shall demonstrate that they have adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering any expenses that may arise during their stay (s) in the territory of the Member States relating to return for medical reasons, the need for urgent medical care, emergency inpatient treatment or death. Multiple-entry visa applicants shall demonstrate that they have adequate and valid travel medical insurance for the period of their first intended visit. The insurance must be valid throughout the territory of the European Union Member States and cover the entire period of the planned stay. The minimum amount of insurance is EUR 30,000.
6. A copy of an identity document confirming residence in the consular district of the institution where you apply for a visa  (eg residence card).
7. Travel booking or return ticket
8. Confirmation of accommodation for the duration of the stay (s)
   • Confirmation of accommodation issued by the host company; or
   • Hotel booking or proof of having sufficient funds to cover the cost of accommodation; or
   • Confirmation of accommodation with a private individual, including the host's commitment to cover the costs; or
   • Proof of property or lease.
9. Documents proving sufficient financial resources to cover subsistence costs when traveling within the territory of the Member States
   • bank statements for the last three months; and
   • Confirmation of cost coverage by the inviting organization (invitation registered in the Voivodship Office) or the sending organization; or
   • Confirmation of cost coverage by a private person and a document confirming sufficient funds to cover these costs or an invitation registered in the Voivodship Office; or
   • Confirmation of having other funds available during the trip (international credit card statements, tourist exchange, etc.).
10. Documents proving a sound socio-economic situation (enabling the assessment of whether the applicant intends to leave the territory of the Member States before the expiry of the validity of the requested visa)
    • Government officials : act of appointment.
    • Employed persons : employment certificate or current employment contract and payslips for the last three months, certificate of affiliation with the National Social Security System ( CNAS ) and the employer's leave or work permit.
    • Entrepreneurs : Registre de commerce (in Arabic and French + copies), Extrait de Role (+ copy), C20 (+ copy), CASNOS (+ copy)
    • Farmers: proof of status, farmer card, and current annual income declaration or title deed.
    • Retired persons: proof of receipt of a pension.
    • Students: Prize en charge legalized in the commune office along with a certificate regarding the parents' employment status and their social situation and a certificate of attending school or a student ID.
11. Documents to be presented depending on the purpose of the trip
    • Economic activity
      • Invitation from the company in the Member State of destination, containing the name (s) and surname (s) of the invited person (s), the purpose of the trip, length of stay, and information on financing the stay.
      • Documentation proving the existence of business relationships (contracts, invoices, correspondence, evidence of importation, etc.).
    • Official visit
      • Verbal note or travel instructions containing: name (s) and surname (s) of the person who will make the official visit; job position; Destination; the date of commencement of employment; commitment of the sending organization to cover the costs of the official visit.
    • Visit with family or private
      • Invitation from the host family, invitation registered in the Voivodship Office, if applicable.
      • n the case of a family visit: a document confirming the existence of family ties (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate, the family card from the registry office).
    • Tourism
      • Hotel reservation; or
      • proof of ownership or rental of immovable property in the country of destination.
    • Travel for cultural, sporting, educational, research or vocational training purposes
      • Official document or invitation from the organizer of a cultural, sporting, educational, research or vocational training event in the Member State of destination, including the name (s) and surname (s) of the invited person (s), purpose of the trip, duration of stay and information on financing stay and accommodation.
      • Verbal note or official letter from the Algerian ministry or competent body for culture, sport, education, research or vocational training, including: name (s) and surname (s) of the visitor (s), their status, destination, length stay and information on financing your stay and accommodation.
    • Treatment
      • - Medical certificate of a medical doctor (appointed by the consulate) or a health care institution confirming the need for treatment. The medical certificate should state the patient's medical history and indicate what type of treatment is required.
      • - An official document issued by the host healthcare institution confirming the possibility of carrying out the treatment in question and the readiness to admit the patient.
      • - A document confirming the prepayment for treatment or a document confirming that the insurance company will cover the costs of treatment and stay.
      • - Any remaining available correspondence between the referring physician and the receiving healthcare facility.

Additionally, when applying for a visa for minors, provide:

• Written consent of the parents or legal guardians (legalized at the commune office) should only be required when the minor travels alone or with only one of the parents. There are exceptions if the single parent with whom the minor is to travel has sole custody over him.
• For minors traveling alone, the contact details of the minor's parents or legal guardians in the destination country.
• If there is only one guardian, this must be documented by presenting a birth certificate, a court order granting sole parental responsibility, or a death certificate of the other parent;
• Parents' passports (original and copy);
• Birth certificate  (original and copy);
• If the child is of school-age - school certificate (original and copy)
• If the child is entered in the parent's or legal guardian's passport - submit a separate visa application. The visa will be pasted into the parent's or legal guardian's passport.

REMEMBER

• You must apply for a visa at the diplomatic mission whose consular district is your place of permanent residence. 
• Documents attached to the application without a photocopy are not returned to applicants. Please prepare each document in the original version and a photocopy.
• Documents issued in Arabic must be translated into Polish, French, or English.
• As a rule, the above-mentioned documents are sufficient to issue a decision, but the consul may request additional documentation.
• Apply for a visa no earlier than 6 months before the planned trip.
• The consul has the right to invite the applicant for an interview at the office but does not have to do so.
• The submission of forged documents and the provision of false information may result in a ban on entry to the Schengen states.
• The visa does not guarantee entry into the territory of the Schengen area - the final decision is always made by the services of the country where you plan to cross the border of the area.

How much will you pay?

Acceptance and processing of an application for a C (Schengen) visa - DZD 12,960

Children 6-12 years old - DZD 6480

The fees are charged in cash. Please prepare the deducted amount. 

EXEMPTIONS FROM VISA FEES :

The following persons are exempt from visa fees:

• children who, at the time of submitting the visa application, are under 6 years of age;
• family members of EU citizens (within the meaning of Article 2 point 4 and in connection with point 3 of the Act of 14 July 2006 on the entry into the territory of the Republic of Poland, residence and exit from this territory of citizens of the EU Member States and their family members):
  • the spouse of an EU citizen;
  • a direct descendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, aged up to 21 or dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse;
  • direct ascendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse;
• family members of Polish citizens:
  • spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland;
  • a minor direct descendant of a citizen of the Republic of Poland or a minor direct descendant of a spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland, if the descendant is dependent on a citizen of the Republic of Poland or the spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland;
  • direct ascendant of a citizen of the Republic of Poland or direct ascendant of the spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland, if the ascendant is dependent on a citizen of the Republic of Poland or the spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland
• pupils, students, post-graduate students, and accompanying teachers who travel for the purposes of study or training;
• scientists as defined in Art. 3 point 2 of Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council, traveling for the purpose of conducting research or taking part in a scientific seminar or conference;
• representatives of non-profit organizations up to 25 years of age participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural and educational events organized by non-profit organizations (Note: In order to obtain a discount, the applicant is required to attach to the visa application documents confirming that the organizations (represented by him/her) and inviting him to Poland) are legal entities conducting non-profit activities (only registration documents of these organizations with records confirming this status are accepted);
• Persons applying for diplomatic and service visas.
  • The circumstance entitling to the exemption from the visa fee must be proved by the applicant by presenting relevant documents.
  • In individual cases, the consul may waive the collection of the visa fee or reduce its amount if it serves cultural or sports interests, as well as interests in the field of foreign policy, development policy, or in other areas important from the point of view of public interest or for humanitarian reasons.

The visa application fee is non-refundable regardless of the consul's decision.

What is the completion date?

The consul has 15 calendar days to make a visa decision. In exceptional cases, this period may be extended to 30 or 60 days.  

How will you pick up your documents?

You will collect the documents together with the receipt of the visa decision.

How can you appeal?

If you disagree with the consul's decision, you have the right to submit an application for reconsideration of your visa application. You must submit it to the office that issued the visa decision within 14 days of receiving it.

The fee for submitting such an application is DZD 12,960.

Withdrawal or annulment of a Schengen visa

If you have received a decision to revoke or annul a Schengen visa with which you do not agree, you have the right to request a retrial. However, if you have applied for a Schengen visa withdrawal yourself and the consul granted this application, you are not entitled to appeal against such a decision.  

The application for reconsideration of the case by the consul should be submitted within 14 days from the date of receipt of the decision on annulment or revocation of the Schengen visa at the seat of the office which issued the decision.

• Monday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
• Tuesday 13:00 - 15:00
• Wednesday 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The application for a reconsideration of the case in the event of withdrawal or annulment of a Schengen visa is free of charge.

Complaint against refusal to issue a Schengen visa, the decision on the withdrawal or annulment of a Schengen visa, and the activities of the consul in this regard

If, after considering your application for reconsideration, the consul issued another decision to refuse, annul or revoke the visa, with which you do not agree, you are entitled to appeal to the Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw. The complaint should be submitted through the consul who made the decision within 30 days from the date of receipt of the decision made as a result of the reconsideration of the case.

When forwarding the complaint to the consul, you do not pay any fees to the consul, however, the proceedings before administrative courts are subject to fees. So you have to reckon with the fact that you will be called by the court to pay the court fee. Information on the amount of court fees in the event of a complaint to the administrative court and the possibility of applying for exemption from the costs of proceedings and the language of the proceedings can be found on the following page:

http://bip.warszawa.wsa.gov.pl/133/wpis-sadowy-zasady-dokonyienia-wpisu.html

Where will you handle the matter?

You can submit the application to the territorially competent consular office of the Republic of Poland.

Do you have to submit documents in person?

You must apply for a visa in person. The diplomatic mission does not accept applications sent by fax, letter, or e-mail.

How will you make an appointment?

Make an appointment to submit a visa application in the e-konsulat system, within the available dates.
Remember that you must apply for a visa no later than two weeks before the planned departure.

What documents do you need to submit?

1. a  visa form  filled in with Latin alphabet in Polish, French, or English on the website www.e-konsulat.gov.pl, printed and signed by the applicant in two positions (box no. 37 and at the end of the form), without any corrections (the form filled in in the e-konsulat system consists of four pages: three pages of the form + page four with the date and time of the meeting)
2. travel  document  valid at least 3 months after the planned date of leaving the territory of the Republic of Poland / Schengen, containing at least two blank pages and issued in the last 10 years
3. two biometric photos taken against a bright background, with the head uncovered. The photograph attached to the application for a national visa meets the following requirements:
   • it is undamaged, in color, and with good sharpness;
   • has the dimensions of 35 mm × 45 mm;
   • was performed not earlier than 6 months before the date of submitting the application;
   • shows the image of the foreigner's face from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders, so that the face occupies
     • 70-80% of the photos, against a uniform light background, in the frontal position, looking straight ahead with eyes open, hair uncovered, with a natural facial expression and mouth closed, and reproducing the natural color
     • his skin;
     • shows clearly the eyes of the foreigner, especially the pupils; the alien's eye line is parallel to the top of the photo.
4. travel medical insurance 
   • A person applying for a national visa submits in person a document confirming the possession of travel medical insurance referred to in Art. 25 sec. 1 point 2 lit. a or a document confirming the possession of health insurance within the meaning of the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from public funds. Travel medical insurance with an insurance amount not lower than EUR 30,000 must be valid for the period of the intended stay of the foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Poland, cover all expenses that may arise during the stay in this territory due to the necessity of return travel for medical reasons, the need for urgent assistance medical, emergency hospital treatment or with death, in which the insurer undertakes to cover the costs of health services provided to the insured directly to the entity providing such benefits,

More information:  https://www.gov.pl/web/dyawodacja/wizy  -> in the tab: Information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about insurers and insurance offered by them, meeting the conditions referred to in art. 25 sec. 1 point 2 lit. a and paragraph 1b of the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners.

SUPPLEMENTING DOCUMENTS (MANDATORY):

1. documents confirming the purpose of the trip
2. documents confirming the accommodation, i.e.  personal  hotel booking confirmed by a credit card or confirmed by the hotel, e.g. in e-mail or fax correspondence, or proof of sufficient funds to cover the costs of accommodation; hotel reservations confirmed only and exclusively by the Algerian travel agency are not accepted)
3. bank card used to confirm the reservation (original available for inspection)
4. documents confirming sufficient funds to cover the cost of living for the entire period of stay

these documents may be:

• traveller's checks,
• credit cards,
• credit cards,
• a certificate of possession of means of payment in a bank or a cooperative credit union with headquarters in the Republic of Poland, issued at least one month before crossing the border and confirmed with the seal and signature of a representative of the bank or credit union, and an account statement for a period not shorter than 3 months;
• original invitation registered in the voivodeship office

persons who have an original invitation registered in the Voivodship Office - should also have an amount of not less than EUR 5 per day

* foreigners who are participants of a tourist event, youth camp, sports competition with paid stay or people coming to a health and sanatorium facility or participants of a program enabling summer work (IAESTE, AIESEC, etc.) - at least 5 EUR / day, but not less than 25 EUR

* foreigner undertaking or continuing education/studies in the Republic of Poland - living costs min. EUR 136 for each month of stay; must have a return ticket or funds for a return trip - min. EUR 625 or present documents confirming the possibility of obtaining funds for a return trip 5. information
allowing to assess the intention to leave the territory of the Republic of Poland / Schengen, e.g. booking a return ticket

for self-employed persons - information on income obtained on C20, CASNOS, commercial register (registre de commerce), extrait de r ô le 7.for full-time employees - employment certificate or current employment contract and payslips for the last three months, certificate of payment of social security contributions (CNAS) 10. documents confirming the current social and professional situation, i.e. a certificate of employment with the dates of the beginning and possible end of employment (in the case of fixed-term employment contracts) with an indication position held, professional card

• certificate of the granted leave and its date
• for pupils/students - school or student ID, a certificate from the school/university
• if the person is not working or is a minor - officially certified commitment from a family member to cover travel and stay costs by parents / legal guardians
• birth certificate
• a document showing the composition of the family-fiche familale (number of family members being dependent on the head of the family)

SUPPLEMENTING DOCUMENTS (MANDATORY) DEPENDING ON THE PURPOSE OF THE JOURNEY:

* in the case of  tourist or private trips :

• invitation issued by a private person, registered in the Voivodship Office, sent in original to the person invited;
• documents regarding accommodation (hotel booking confirmed by a credit card or correspondence with the hotel confirming a personal hotel booking)
• in the case of a booking confirmed with a bank card - bank card for inspection
• invitations,
• documents regarding the route - confirmation of an organized trip or other appropriate document confirming the travel plans; for transit: visa or authorization to enter the third country of destination; a ticket for onward travel

* in the case of travel  for scientific, research or training purposes :

1. confirmation of enrollment in vocational or theoretical courses conducted in training institutions as part of basic and major education (e.g. language courses entitling to start studies - obligatory 9 months)
2. proof of admission to a Polish language course - for people planning to study in Polish
3. proof of payment for the Polish language course (for a total of 9 months) or for the first year of study or for the entire period of study/training, if it is less than a year, if the studies, participation in research or training consists of payment rules or confirmation of having funds in the amount sufficient to pay the fee
4. student cards or certificates of planned courses
5. matriculation diploma, diploma of completion of studies (bachelor, master) translated into Polish, French, or English, legalized in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the country of issue.
6. list of grades on the secondary school-leaving examination certificate or at the end of each year of study
7. a foreigner undertaking or continuing education/studies in the Republic of Poland - living costs min. EUR 136 for each month of stay; the foreigner must have a return ticket or funds for a return trip - min. EUR 625 or provide documents confirming the possibility of obtaining funds for a return trip, e.g .:

• traveler's check
• certificate of the limit on the credit card issued by the bank
• a certificate confirming the possession of means of payment in a bank or a cooperative credit union based in the territory of the Republic of Poland
• a document confirming the granting of a national or foreign scholarship
• certificate of employment and the number of earnings
• sponsorship letter and, for example, a certificate of financial resources to cover the costs of education in Poland (employment contract, bank statement for the last 3 months, Algerian certificate of earnings, confirmation of tax payments from the tax office)

having sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of living may also be documented with a certificate of employment and the amount of earnings (paragraph 3 (1) (5) of the Regulation of the Minister of Interior and Administration of February 6, 2018 on the amount of financial resources that a foreigner undertaking or continuing studies in the territory of the Republic of Poland). Such a certificate may apply to a person who undertook to cover the student's living costs during the stay in Poland (e.g. a parent or parents). In this case, along with the certificate, it is necessary to present the so-called sponsorship letter.

If the document confirming that the student has adequate financial resources is a certificate of employment and the amount of earnings (student or sponsor),  it is sufficient to present a certificate of the amount of monthly earnings, if the amount of monthly earnings is sufficient to cover the annual study costs.

8. a foreigner conducting research or development work in the territory of the Republic of Poland - min. EUR 136 for each month of stay; the foreigner must have a return ticket or funds for a return trip - min. EUR 625 or provide documents confirming the possibility of obtaining funds for a return trip, e.g .:

• traveler's check
• certificate of the limit on the credit card issued by the bank
• a certificate confirming the possession of means of payment in a bank or a cooperative credit union based in the territory of the Republic of Poland
• a document confirming the granting of a national or foreign scholarship
• certificate of employment and the amount of earnings
• a certificate from parents or legal guardians that they have funds to cover the costs of education in Poland (employment contract, bank statement for the last 4 months, Tunisian income certificate, confirmation of tax payments from the tax office)
• the economic and family situation of parents / legal guardians
• a motivation letter in French or English
• a preliminary statement of a selected Polish university about the possibility of admission to studies in Poland after completing a Polish language course and successfully passing the final exam

ATTENTION:

• persons planning to study in Polish must participate in a Polish language course, which is mandatory for at least 9 months
• people planning to study or study in Poland apply for a national visa D.
• an interview with the consul may be held with persons planning to study in Poland

*  in the case of travel  for health purposes :

• an official document issued by an Algerian state medical institution confirming the necessity to provide a given person with medical care and the inability to perform these procedures in Algeria
• an official document issued by a Polish medical institution confirming the possibility of providing a given person with medical care along with an initial cost estimate
• proof of having sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of treatment

* in the case of departure of the  spouse of a Polish citizen :

• Polish copy of the marriage certificate
• official invitation from the spouse or his family member issued by the competent Voivodship Office
• a photocopy of the spouse's Polish passport

NOTE: There is no "marriage" visa. Spouses apply for a Schengen or national visa (depending on the documented date of stay)

Additionally, when applying for a visa for minors, provide:

• Written, notarized consent of the parent/parents to submit a visa application. If there is only one guardian, this must be documented by presenting a birth certificate, a court order granting sole parental responsibility, or a death certificate of the other parent;
• Parents' passports - original and copy;
• Birth certificate - original and copy.

REMEMBER:

• You must apply for a visa at the diplomatic mission whose consular district is your place of permanent residence. 
• Documents are accepted only at the time of their submission during the visa appointment at the Consulate in Algiers. We do not accept documents sent by fax, e-mail or brought within the following days (we do not complete the submitted dossiers).
• Documents attached to the application are not returned to applicants. This does not apply to documents, the originals of which cannot be issued again (e.g. certificates, diplomas, lease agreements), in such cases, persons submit original documents together with a copy.
• Documents issued in Arabic must be translated into Polish, French or English.
• Apply for a visa no earlier than 6 months before the planned trip.
• As a rule, the above-mentioned documents are sufficient to issue a decision, but the consul is entitled to ask for additional documentation.
• The consul has the right to invite the applicant for an interview at the office, but does not have to do so.
• Type D visas allow you to stay in other countries of the Schengen area for 90 days in any 180-day period. This means that you can stay legally in the Schengen area only if your stay in the countries of the Schengen area has not exceeded 90 days in the last 180 days.  
• A type D visa may be issued with a maximum period of validity of one year.
• Remember that the visa does not guarantee entry into the territory of Poland - the final decision is always made by the Border Guard.

How much will you pay?

The fee for accepting and processing an application for a D (national) visa is DZD 12,960 .

The fees are charged in cash.Please prepare the deducted amount.

The following persons are exempt from visa fees:

• family members of EU citizens:
  • the spouse of an EU citizen;
  • direct descendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, aged up to 21 or dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse;
  • direct ascendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse.
• family members of Polish citizens:
  • spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland;
  • a minor direct descendant of a citizen of the Republic of Poland or a minor direct descendant of a spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland, if the descendant is dependent on a citizen of the Republic of Poland or the spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland;
  • direct ascendant of a citizen of the Republic of Poland or direct ascendant of the spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland, if the ascendant is dependent on a citizen of the Republic of Poland or the spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland.
• applications for diplomatic or service visas.

At the party's request, the consul may, in exceptional cases, grant a fee reduction; discounts of 25%, 50% or 75% of the fee are granted taking into account individual circumstances justifying the application and the legitimate interest of the party.

The visa application fee is non-refundable regardless of the consul's decision.

What is the completion date?

The decision to issue a visa is issued within 15 working days from the date of payment. If it is necessary to check the documents in detail, the examination of the application may be extended up to 30 days. In urgent and justified cases, a decision may be made within three working days.

How will you pick up your documents?

You will collect the documents along with the receipt of the decision.

How can you appeal?

If you disagree with the consul's decision, you have the right to submit an application for reconsideration of your visa application. You must submit it to the office that issued the visa decision within 14 days of receiving it.

The fee for submitting such an application is DZD 12,960.

information on the rules for applying for visas by foreigners intending to practice their profession a doctor, dentist, nurse, midwife, or paramedic in the territory of the Republic of Poland

From 30/12/2020, regulations are in force that allows - under new additional rules - to take up work in Poland by:

• doctors,
• dentists,
• nurses,
• midwives,
• paramedics,

who obtained qualifications to practice their professions in non-EU countries. Proceedings on granting consent to perform work in Poland in the above-mentioned competition will be simplified and the procedure will be significantly shortened.

A doctor or dentist who obtained professional qualifications outside the EU and meets the following conditions:

• has a doctor's or dentist's diploma confirming completion of at least 5-year studies,
• has full legal capacity (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by a doctor / dentist),
• shows an appropriate state of health (a document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be an appropriate certificate from a doctor authorized to conduct medical examinations of employees),
• shows an impeccable ethical attitude (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by a doctor / dentist),

he will be able to apply for a consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a doctor or dentist in Poland and for a conditional right to practice as a doctor or dentist by the district medical council in connection with the announcement of an epidemic. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for applying for a visa in order to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

A doctor or dentist who has obtained a conditional license to practice in Poland will not be able to practice in Poland outside of a medical entity intended to provide health services to patients suffering from COVID-19 - unless he obtains additional consent from the Minister of Health. The doctor will be obliged to work under the supervision of a tutor who is a doctor with a second degree specialization or the title of specialist. A conditional license to practice as a doctor or dentist shall be valid for a period of 5 years from the date of its issuance and shall expire in the cases specified in the Act. It will not be possible to extend this right for another period, nor to issue a new license to practice a profession on the same terms after 5 years from the date of its issue. After this period, the doctor or dentist will be able to practice in Poland after meeting the requirements set out in other regulations, i.e. only after the validation of the diploma or passing the Medical Verification Examination organized by the Medical Examinations Center in Łódź, completion or recognition of the postgraduate internship, passing the Final Medical Examination.

A doctor or dentist who obtained professional qualifications outside the EU and meets the following conditions:

• has a doctor's or dentist's diploma confirming completion of at least 5-year studies,
• has a diploma confirming obtaining the title of specialist,
• has full legal capacity (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by a doctor/dentist),
• shows an appropriate state of health (a document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be an appropriate certificate from a doctor authorized to conduct medical examinations of employees),
• shows an impeccable ethical attitude (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by a doctor/dentist),

he will be able to apply for consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a doctor or dentist in Poland and for a conditional right to practice as a doctor or dentist by the district medical council in connection with the announcement of an epidemic. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for applying for a visa in order to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

A doctor or dentist who has obtained a conditional right to practice in Poland for the first 3 months will practice the profession under supervision, he will not be able to practice in Poland outside of a medical entity intended to provide health services to patients suffering from COVID-19 - unless he obtains this is an additional consent of the Minister of Health. A conditional license to practice as a doctor or dentist shall be valid for a period of 5 years from the date of its issuance and shall expire in the cases specified in the Act. It will not be possible to extend this right for another period, nor to issue a new license to practice a profession on the same terms after 5 years from the date of its issue. After this period, the doctor or dentist will be able to practice in Poland after meeting the requirements set out in other regulations, i.e.

If a doctor or dentist who obtained professional qualifications outside the territory of the EU additionally meets the following conditions:

• made a statement that he speaks Polish sufficiently to perform the scope of professional activities entrusted to him (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement submitted by a doctor / dentist),
• obtained a certificate from a medical entity in Poland containing a list of organizational units of the medical facility and the period of planned employment with an indication of the scope of professional activities consistent with the title of specialist in a specific field of medicine,
• has at least three years of professional experience as a specialist or dentist in a given field, obtained in the period of 5 years immediately preceding the obtaining of a certificate from a medical entity in Poland,
• has a diploma confirming obtaining the title of specialist issued in a non-EU country,
• completed specialization training corresponding to the specialization training program in Poland (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be the specialization training program),

will be able to apply for consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a doctor or dentist in Poland and for the Regional Medical Council to grant the right to practice as a doctor or dentist for a specific scope of professional activities, period and place of employment in a medical entity. He will be obliged to work for a period of 1 year under the supervision of a tutor who is a doctor with a 2nd degree specialization or the title of specialist. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for applying for a visa in order to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland. The license to practice as a doctor or dentist issued in this manner shall remain valid for a period not longer than 5 years from the date of its issue and shall expire in the cases specified in the Act. It will not be possible to extend this right for another period, nor issue a new license to practice a profession on the same terms after 5 years from the date of its issue. After this period, a doctor or dentist will be able to practice in Poland only after the diploma is validated or after passing the Medical Verification Examination organized by the Medical Examinations Center in Łódź, completing or recognizing a postgraduate internship, passing the Final Medical Examination.

When applying under this procedure for approval to practice the profession of a doctor or dentist, a doctor's or dentist's diploma and a diploma confirming obtaining the title of specialist or their duplicates should be properly authenticated and then legalized by a consul or affixed with an apostille by the competent authority of the state in which the documents these have been released. It is the country that issued the document which will have to decide which procedure will have to be followed. If the authentication or legalization of documents or obtaining an apostille is excessively difficult or impossible, the Minister of Health will be able to release the applicant from this obligation.

A nurse or midwife who obtained professional qualifications outside the territory of the EU and meets the following conditions:

• has a nurse or midwife diploma,
• has the full legal capacity (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed declaration submitted by the nurse/midwife),
• shows an appropriate state of health (a document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be an appropriate certificate from a doctor authorized to conduct medical examinations of employees),
• shows an impeccable ethical attitude (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by the nurse/midwife),

will be able to apply for consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a nurse or midwife in Poland and for the District Council of Nurses and Midwives to be granted a conditional right to practice the profession of a nurse or midwife due to an epidemic or epidemic threat. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for applying for a visa in order to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

A nurse or midwife who has obtained a conditional right to practice in Poland will not be able to practice outside the healthcare facility intended to provide health services to patients suffering from COVID-19 unless she obtains additional consent from the Minister of Health. The nurse or midwife will be required to work under the supervision of another nurse or midwife.

If a nurse or midwife who has a conditional license to practice, has at least three years of professional experience as a nurse or midwife, obtained in the period of 5 years immediately preceding the date of submitting the application for consent to work in this mode, for the first 3 months of employment in the profession in the territory of the Republic of Poland performs the profession under the supervision of another nurse or midwife.

The conditional license to practice as a nurse or midwife shall be valid for a period not longer than 5 years from the date of its issuance and shall expire in the cases specified in the Act. It will not be possible to extend this right for another period, nor to issue a new license to practice a profession on the same terms after 5 years from the date of its issue. After this time, a nurse/midwife will be able to practice in Poland only after the recognition of a diploma or completion of first-cycle studies (bachelor's degree) in the field of nursing or midwifery.

If a nurse or midwife who has obtained a professional qualification outside the territory of the EU, additionally fulfills the following conditions:

• made a statement that she demonstrates knowledge of the Polish language sufficient to perform the scope of professional activities entrusted to her,
• obtained a certificate from the entity performing medical activities containing a list of organizational units of the medical facility and the period of planned employment with an indication of the scope of professional activities in accordance with her education,
• has at least three years of professional experience as a nurse or midwife, obtained in the period of five years immediately preceding the obtaining of a certificate from an entity performing medical activities in Poland,

will be able to apply for the consent of the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a nurse or midwife in Poland and for the District Council of Nurses and Midwives to be granted the right to practice the profession of a nurse or midwife for a specific scope of professional activities, period and place of employment in a healthcare entity. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for applying for a visa in order to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

The nurse or midwife will be obliged for a period of 1 year to work under the supervision of another nurse or midwife appointed by the head of the medical entity in which she was employed.

A nurse and midwife with a license to practice under this procedure may not practice on the territory of the Republic of Poland except for the entity performing a medical activity that issued her certificate, except in cases specified in the Act.

The right to practice the profession of a nurse or midwife issued in this manner shall remain valid for a period not longer than 5 years from the date of its issue and shall expire in the cases specified in the Act. It will not be possible to extend this right for another period, nor to issue a new license to practice a profession on the same terms after 5 years from the date of its issue.

After this time, a nurse/midwife will be able to practice in Poland only after the recognition of a diploma or completion of first-cycle studies (bachelor's degree) in the field of nursing or midwifery.

When applying in this mode for obtaining permission to practice the profession of a nurse or midwife, the diploma of a nurse or midwife or its duplicate should be certified and then legalized by the consul or affixed with an apostille by the competent authority of the country where the document was issued. It is the country that issued the document which will have to decide which procedure will have to be followed. In the event that the authentication or legalization of a diploma or its duplicate or obtaining an apostille is significantly difficult or impossible, the Minister of Health will be able to release the applicant from this obligation.

A paramedic who obtained professional qualifications outside the territory of the EU and meets the following conditions:

• has a full legal capacity (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement submitted by a paramedic),
• shows an appropriate state of health (a document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be an appropriate certificate from a doctor authorized to conduct medical examinations of employees),
• has a diploma confirming obtaining the title of a professional paramedic or documents confirming at least three years of professional experience in performing the tasks of a paramedic, obtained in the last five years preceding the granting of consent,

will be able to apply for the consent of the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a paramedic in Poland. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for applying for a visa in order to work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

During the period of announcing an epidemic threat or an epidemic, the Minister of Health may consent to the profession of a paramedic to a person who has at least one year of professional experience.

The consent to perform the profession of a paramedic issued in this manner shall remain valid for a period not longer than 5 years from the date of its issuance and shall expire in the cases specified in the Act. It will not be possible to extend the consent for another period or to issue a new consent to practice the profession on the same terms after 5 years from the date of its issuance. After this period, a paramedic will be able to practice in Poland in accordance with the provisions of the Act on the State Medical Rescue.

The above-mentioned documents can be sent to the address of the Ministry of Health (Department of Medical Personnel Development, Ministry of Health, ul. Miodowa 15, 00-952 Warsaw) or submitted directly to the seat of the Ministry of Health in the Registry Office or to the consul where the visa application will be submitted.

It should be ensured that the documents are complete, which will speed up the obtaining of a decision. The list of required documents can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health.

If a document needs to be authenticated and legalized by a consul, or an apostille issued by a competent state authority, which procedure will have to be followed, decides which country has issued the document.

If the diploma was issued in a country that is a party to the Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization of Foreign Public Documents (a list of these countries can be found HERE ), you must apply for an apostille to it at the competent office of the country where the document was issued (the list of these offices can be found HERE ). If the diploma was issued in a country that is not a party to this Convention, you will have to apply for its authentication at the competent office of the country where the document was issued (most often it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and then for its legalization at a Polish consulate.

If you have the appropriate qualifications and meet the above-mentioned conditions and would like to work in Poland as a doctor or dentist or work in the profession of a nurse or midwife or a paramedic, but you do not have a visa that would entitle you to enter Poland, remember the following path:

1. You have two options to apply for a visa:

• directly at the competent Polish consulate in the country where you live or,
• at one of the Visa Application Centers (VACs) - if they operate in the country where you live. Information about this can be found on the website of the relevant consulate by selecting the options "Consular information" à "Visas" à "D visa - submission of the application".

Depending on the chosen path, you can submit the application in person at the consulate or at one of the VAC.

If you are a citizen of Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia and you intend to apply for a visa in your country of citizenship, you will be able to send it by post. To submit an application in this form, citizens of other countries must obtain the consent of the Polish consul competent for the country of residence.

The consulate and the VAC do not accept applications sent by fax or e-mail.

2. Make an appointment for the visa application at the consulate in the e-konsulat system . To submit an application at the VAC, make an appointment via the call center or website - you can find information about it on the website of the relevant consulate by selecting the option "Consular information" à "Visas" à "D visa - submission of the application".

3. To the meeting regarding the visa application, also take the documents listed at the beginning of this information (depending on the profession for which you are applying), which the consul will provide to the Minister of Health in order to consider your application for permission to practice in Poland the medical profession ( dentist) or the profession of nurse or midwife or paramedic.

4. In order to obtain a visa, you will need to submit the following documents:

1. a completed, printed and signed visa application form in the e-konsulat system ;
2. a color photograph measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm. The photo should be:
   • sharp, made on a white background and printed on high-quality paper,
   • not older than 6 months;
   • taken straight, showing the eyes and face clearly on both sides from top of head to top of shoulders, so that the face covers 70-80% of the photo; for photography you need to remove your headgear;
3. passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months from the date of the planned return, with at least 2 blank pages for visas,
4. a copy of the page in the passport with personal data and a photo,
5. a document confirming the possession of travel medical insurance valid in the territory of the EU for the amount of not less than PLN 30,000 EUR or a copy of the document confirming health insurance in PL,
6. a copy of an identity document confirming legal residence in the consular district of the Polish consulate in which you apply for a visa,
7. confirmation of having financial resources for maintenance in the form determined by the Polish consulate confirming that you have sufficient financial resources to stay in PL until you start work (e.g. bank account statement, certificate of a renewable limit on a credit card, other).

Additional information on general visa procedures can be obtained by contacting Polish consulates. The list of Polish missions abroad can be found here. You can contact consular offices by phone or e-mail.

The amount of the fee for the visa application and processing is given on the website of the relevant consulate - select the options "Consular information" à "Visas" à "D visa - application submission" à "How much will you pay?"
The fee is non-refundable regardless of the final decision on the application.

If you submit an application to the consul to legalize a document (e.g. a diploma), this operation will be subject to an additional fee. Information about this can be found on the website of the appropriate consulate - select the options "Consular information" à "General information" à "Consular fees".

The decision to issue a visa is generally issued within 4 working days from the date of payment. In special cases, however, the procedure may take a bit longer.

you will be informed about the expected date of receipt of the decision at the time of submitting the application.

If you disagree with the consul's decision, you have the right to request a reconsideration of your application. You can submit it directly to the relevant consulate or at one of the Visa Application Centers (VACs) - if they operate in the country where you live, or send them by post to the address of the consulate that issued the visa decision within 14 days of its receipt. The amount of the fee is given on the website of the relevant consulate - select the option "Consular information" à "Visas" à "D visa - application" à "How can you appeal?".

"The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Algiers informs that from December 1, 2020, the conditions that must be met by travel medical insurance for foreigners applying for a national visa have changed.

Travel medical insurance meets the new requirements if:

• provides for the insurer's liability for the amount of insurance, min. 30 thousand EUR;
• is valid for the entire period of the planned stay of the foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Poland;
• covers all expenses that may arise during the foreigner's stay in this territory in the event of: necessary return travel for medical reasons

The information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about insurers and the insurance they offer that meet the conditions referred to in the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs:  https://www.gov.pl/web/dyawodacja/ visas