Visa types

Before you apply, you must decide which visa you need:

Airport transit Schengen visa (A-Type)

choose this visa type if you plan to pass through an international transit area of a Schengen airport travelling with a passport of one of these states:  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.

Schengen visa (C-Type)

Choose this visa if you plan to stay in Poland or other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days in each 180-day period of time. This means that you are allowed to stay in the Schengen zone legally only if your stay in Schengen countries did not exceed 90 days over the last 180 days. A special calculator on the European Commission’s website  Na stronie Komisji Europejskiej will help you count how long you can stay in Schengen countries.

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

• Poland is the only destination country of your visit to the Schengen zone;
• you visit more than one Schengen country, but Poland is your main destination;
• you do not know which Schengen country will be your main destination, but you cross the Schengen border for the first time in Poland.

In exceptional cases it is possible to issue a Schengen LTV visa which is valid only in the territory of selected Schengen states.

National visa (D-Type)

Choose this visa if you want to stay in Poland for more than 90 days. The validity of a national visa cannot exceed one year. You also need to apply for a national visa if you seek asylum, repatriation, or if you use Polish Card privileges.

Simplified Visa procedure for family members of EU citizens

Who can use the procedure?

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

EU nationals include:

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

A family member of an EU citizen is:

• the spouse of an EU citizen,
• Direct descendant of the EU national or his/her spouse, aged up to 21 or dependent on the EU national or his/her spouse
• Direct ascendant of the EU national or his/her spouse, dependent on the EU national or his/her spouse.

What the procedure entitles you to:

• The visa application is free of charge
• Your application will be accepted at the diplomatic mission without prior appointment.

Required documents:

• Printed and signed visa application form (filled in on the e-consulate website);
• A current, color photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm;
• A valid passport
• Document confirming the existence of family ties with the EU national (eg. marriage certificate, birth certificate);
• Document confirming the facts of accompanying the EU national on the journey or joining him/her at the place of residence.

Refusal to issue a visa

Your visa can be refused only if:

• • Your name is entered into the list of people whose stay in Poland is undesirable;
• • visa authorities  considered that your stay might pose a threat to national defense or national security or to the protection of public safety and health.

Refusal to issue the visa is a consuls decision. The decision may be appealed against to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Biometric data

When you apply for a visa, you have to provide your biometric data: a photo in the case of a national visa and a photo and fingerprints in the case of a Schengen visa.

If you have already applied for a Schengen visa in the recent 59 months and if you have given your fingerprints, you do not have to give them again – the system will automatically transfer your data.

The following applicants do not have to give their fingerprints:

• children under 12;
• persons who are physically unable to give their fingerprints (because they do not have fingers or they suffer from a temporary finger trauma); 
• heads of states or governments, members of national governments and their accompanying spouses and members of official delegations if they are invited for official purposes;
• monarchs and high-ranking members of royal families, if they are invited for official purposes.

Personal data

The authority responsible for the processing of personal data that are in the Visa Information System (VIS) is the Central Technical Authority of the National Information System at the National Police Headquarters, address: ul. Puławska 148/150, 02-624 Warszawa.

Complaints concerning personal data protection are handled by the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection, address: ul. Stawki 2, 00-193 Warszawa.

Legal basis

Ustawa z dnia 14 lipca 2006 r. o wjeździe na terytorium Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, pobycie oraz wyjeździe z tego terytorium obywateli państw członkowskich Unii Europejskiej i członków ich rodzin (Dz. U. z dnia 11 sierpnia 2006 r. poz. 1525)

Ustawa z dnia 12 grudnia 2013 r. o cudzoziemcach (Dz. U. z dnia 30 grudnia 2013 r. poz. 1650 z późn. zm.)

Ustawa z dnia 25 czerwca 2015 r. Prawo konsularne (Dz. U. z dnia 31 sierpnia 2015 r. poz. 1274)

Where to apply?

You can apply at the consular office in Sydney. 

Do I have to apply in person?

Visa application form must be submitted in person. Diplomatic mission does not accept application forms sent via fax, regular mail or e-mail.

How to book an appointment?

You can book your appointment to apply for a visa via the e-konsulat system.

What documents do I need to submit?

You can apply for a Schengen visa if you are: a permanent resident of Australia (or long-term visa holder), citizen of Fiji, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands or the Solomon Islands. Citizens of Australia can travel to the countries of the Schengen zone, including Poland, up to 90 days without a visa. 

1.    A visa application form filled via the e-konsulat system, printed and signed.
2.    A 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo. The photo must be:

• sharp, taken against the white background and printed on a quality paper,
• newer than 6 months,
• taken en face, clearly showing the eyes and face from both sides from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders with the face-covering 70-80% of the photo. The photo must be taken without any headwear.

3.    Passport issued within last ten years, valid for at least three months from the expected return date, with at least two blank pages for visas. If you have another valid passport, you should attach it to the visa application form.
4.    A copy of the passport page with personal data and a photo. 
5.    Healthcare insurance valid across all countries of the European Union for the amount not lower than EUR 30,000.  The insurance must be valid for the entire stay in Schengen Zone and must include all expenses related to emergency medical hospital treatment, including COVID-19, return to the country of residence due to medical reason, and death (repatriation of body). If you apply for a multiple-entry visa, it should cover the date of the first entry.

Information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the insurers and the services they provide which meet the necessary conditions referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) and Article 25 (1b) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners, is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas

The examples of companies which meet the necessary requirements:

• AIG
• Allianz
• AVA
• AXA
• Budget Direct (Zurich Australian Insurance Ltd)
• Bupa (Insurance Australia Limited)
• Cover More (Auto and General Services)
• Europ Assistance
• ING
• Swiss Care
• World Care.

6.    Copy of an ID document to confirm residence within the consular district of your application.
7.    Proof that you have enough means of subsistence in the form decided by the mission: It could be: an original income certificate from the employer or a bank account statement for the last three months or a pension slip or a certificate of registration; in case of an individual entrepreneur or one-man firm a valid e-ticket together with a confirmation of prepaid accommodation. In case of minors, a written declaration of the legal representative regarding the coverage of all costs is additionally needed. 
8.    A proof of accommodation (for example, an official invitation or a hotel booking or reservation).
9.    A document to confirm the purpose and the conditions of your planned stay in Poland

• Official Invitation from a person to be visited registered at the District Authority Office in Poland (Urząd Wojewódzki) - required when physical or legal person invites the applicant to the Republic of Poland and is going to provide accommodation and financial support 
• For business: an official business letter from a company in the Republic of Poland. ev. other Schengen countries and from employer stating the purpose of the visit. 
• In case of tourist visit: the booking from the travel agency; or in case of individual visit: prepaid reservation of accommodation. 
• For conferences: invitation letter issued by the hosting organization, confirmation of the participation issued by the hosting organization, receipt of payment of the registration fee. 
• In case of an entry for an educational or other scientific or professional training purpose: the certificate of the receiving institution, the certificate of the envisage place of accommodation in the Republic of Poland. 
• In case of an entry for the purpose of medical treatment: the certificate from the receiving health institution, including reference to the fact that expected coverage of the medical treatment is available, and other certification of the coverage of the medical treatment, as well as the confirmation of the accommodation in Poland. 
• For the purpose of cultural / sports activates: accreditation proving the participation in the sport event or contract with the Polish sport club, or the certificate issued by the delegating sport club / Olympic Committee / Ministry of Sport / Ministry of Culture etc.
• For work: a Work Permit obtained by the applicant issued by his/her prospective employer and a promise of an employment contract. Accommodation and medical insurance paid in advance for at least the first month. 

10. Round trip air ticket and detailed travel itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit of the territory from Schengen states. If more than one entry is required, a reason must be provided.

11. Valid re-entry visa to Australia (current VEVO system print out)

12. Marriage certifiicate, if maried - a marriage certificate in English or Polish or if prepared in other language, together with its transalation into English or Polish. 

13. Confirmation of current employment or school / university enrolment

14. Proof of payment

Additionally, when applying for a visa for a minor you should present:

• Written consent of the child’s parent(s) to apply for a visa, confirmed by a notary. If there is only one guardian, it should be proved by a birth certificate, a court decision on exclusive parental custody or a death certificate of the other parent.
• Originals and copies of parents' passports.
• Original and a copy of a birth certificate.
• A written declaration of the legal representative regarding the coverage of all costs

If a child is entered in their parent's or a legal guardian’s passport, please submit a separate visa application. The visa will be pasted into the parent's or the legal guardian's passport.
Please note:

• You must apply for a visa in a consular office or the embassy’s consular department in the consular district of your place of residence.
• Usually, the above documents are enough to receive a visa, however, the consul may require additional documents.
• Apply for a visa not earlier than three months before your planned journey.
• The consul may, but does not have to, invite the applicant for an interview.
• You may be banned from entering any of the Schengen States if you present forged documents or provide false information.
• Receiving the visa does not guarantee that you will enter the Schengen area - the final decision is always made by the authorities of the country where you intend to cross the Schengen area border.

How much does it cost?

Schengen \ National visa costs 125 AUD payable by cash, bank cheque or money order. 

Bank details: 

Commonwealth Bank

BSB: 062 124

Account: 1038 5948

SWIFT: CTBAAU2S

Account holder: Polish Consulate in Sydney

The visa application fee is non-returnable, whatever the consul's decision. 

What is the waiting time?

The consul will make the decision on the visa within 15 calendar days. Exceptionally, the time to make the decision can be extended up to 30 or 60 days.  

How to collect the documents?

For the return of the submitted orginal documents, choose one of the following options: 

• Pick up in person from Consulate
• A self-addressed prepaid envelope enclosed with application
• Add 7 AUD to the consular fees to cover the cost of return postage by registered mail 

How to appeal?

If you do not agree with the consul's decision, you may ask to have your visa application re-considered. You must apply for the reconsideration in the office that issued the decision within 14 days of its delivery.

The application fee in this case is 128 AUD.

You can apply at the Consulate General in Sydney.

Revocation or annulment of Schengen visa

If you have received a decision to revoke or annul your Schengen visa that you do not agree with, you have the right to ask for a reconsideration. However, if you have applied yourself for your Schengen visa to be revoked and the consul has agreed, you are not entitled to appeal.

You should apply for reconsideration within 14 days of receiving the decision to annul or revoke your Schengen visa at the consular post that issued the decision.

You can apply at the Consulate General in Sydney. 

If you apply for reconsideration after your Schengen visa was revoked or annulled, you do not have to pay the consular fee.

Complaint about refusal to issue Schengen visa, decision to revoke or annul Schengen visa and the consul's activities in this respect

If the consul who examines your reconsideration request issues a new decision to refuse, annul or revoke your visa which you do not agree with, you have the right to submit a complaint to the Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw. The complaint should be forwarded through the consul who made the decision, within 30 days of receiving the decision taken as a result of the re-examination .

You do not pay a consular fee for submitting a complaint to the consul, but you have to pay fees for proceedings before administrative courts. Therefore, you have to note that the court will ask you to pay the court fee. More information on the amount of court fees when appealing with the administrative court, possibility to apply for an exemption from the costs and the language of the procedure, is available at:

https://bip.warszawa.wsa.gov.pl/133/wpis-sadowy-zasady-dokonywania-wpisu.html

Where to apply?

You can apply at the consular office in Sydney. 

Do I have to apply in person?

Visa application form must be submitted in person. Diplomatic mission does not accept application forms sent via fax, regular mail or e-mail.

How to book an appointment?

In order to apply for a visa, please book your appointment via the e-konsulat system.
Remember to apply for a visa not later than two weeks before the planned departure.

What documents do I need to submit? 

You can apply for the national visa if you are: a citizen of Australia, a permanent resident of Australia (or long-term visa holder), citizen of Fiji, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, Nauru, Vanuatu, Marshall Islands or Solomon Islands.

• A visa application form filled via the e-konsulat system, printed and signed;
• A 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo. The photo must be:
  • sharp, taken against white background and printed on a quality paper,
  • newer than 6 months,
  • taken en face, clearly showing the eyes and face on both sides from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders with the face covering 70-80% of the photo. The photo must be taken without any headwear.
• Passport issued within last ten years, valid for at least three months from the expected return date, with at least two blank pages for visas.
• A copy of the passport page with personal data and the photo. 
• Healthcare insurance valid across all countries of the European Union for the amount not lower than EUR 30,000. For study and work purposes, the insurance must be valid for 1 full year and must include all expenses related to emergency medical hospital treatment, including COVID-19, return to the country of residence due to medical reason and death (repatriation of body).

Information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the insurers and the services they provide which meet the necessary conditions referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) and Article 25 (1b) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners, is available on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas

The examples of companies which meet the necessary requirements:

• AIG
• Allianz
• AVA
• AXA
• Budget Direct (Zurich Australian Insurance Ltd)
• Bupa (Insurance Australia Limited)
• Cover More (Auto and General Services)
• Europ Assistance
• ING
• Swiss Care
• World Care.
• A copy of an ID document to confirm legal residence within the consular district of your application.
• Proof that you have enough means of subsistence in the form decided by the mission.
• A proof of accommodation (for example, an official invitation or a hotel booking or reservation).
• Documents confirming the purpose of your stay Poland.
• Valid re-entry visa to Australia (current VEVO system print out)

Additionally, when applying for a visa for a minor you should present:

• Written consent of the child’s/minor’s parent(s) to apply for a visa, confirmed by a notary. If there is only one guardian, it should be proved by a birth certificate, a court decision on exclusive parental custody or a death certificate of the other parent.
• Originals and copies of parents' passports.
• An original and a copy of a birth certificate.

If the child is entered in the parent's or legal guardian’s passport, please submit a separate visa application.  The visa will be pasted into the parent's or the legal guardian's passport.

Please note:

• You must apply for a visa in a consular office or the embassy’s consular department in the consular district of your place of residence 
• Usually, the above documents are enough to receive a visa, however, the consul may require additional documents.
• The consul may, but does not have to, invite the applicant for an interview.
• The D-type visas allow to stay in other Schengen states for 90 days of any 180-day period. It means that you can legally stay in the Schengen Area only if your stay was shorter than 90 days over the past 180 days.  
• The D-type visa is valid for a maximum of one year.
• Please note, that receiving the visa does not guarantee that you will enter Poland - the final decision is always made by the Border Guard.

How much does it cost? 

The visa fee is 125 AUD. 

The visa application fee is non-returnable, whatever the consul's decision. 

What is the waiting time?

The decision on the issue of a visa is made within 15 working days from the payment date of the application fee. If the documents need to be examined in more detail, the consideration period may be extended to 30 days. In urgent and justified cases, the decision can be made in three working days.

How to collect the documents?

For the return of the submitted original documents, choose one of the following options: 

• Pick up in person from Consulate
• A self-addressed prepaid envelope enclosed with application
• Add 7 AUD to the consular fees to cover the cost of return postage by registered mail 

How to appeal?

If you do not agree with the consul's decision, you may ask to have your visa application re-considered. You must apply for the reconsideration in the office that issued the decision within 14 days of its delivery.

The application fee in this case is 128 AUD. 

The charging fees issues for educational services by public universities are regulated in the Act of 20 July 2018, Law on Higher Education and Science, and in the case of non-public universities, they result from the internal regulations of these universities.

Students conclude civil law contracts with universities, which contain special conditions related to the admission process, the course of studies, as well as provisions regarding the amount of the fees and the rules related to the fee refunds. Candidates for studies should carefully study these documents in detail, in particular the provisions on the rules for obtaining the refund of the paid tuition fees.

Refund issues are settled between students and universities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, the Embassies of the Republic of Poland, as well as the Consulates of the Republic of Poland do not mediate in issues between the student and the university and do not have legal measures allowing a foreigner, who has been refused a student visa, to obtain a refund of the tuition fees.

If the university fails to comply with the provisions of the contract concluded with the student, in particular, it has not refunded the fee, claims regarding student fees may only be pursued through civil law.