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.

National 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.

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 .

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,
• direct descendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, up to 21 years of age 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

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 to 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.
 

Legal basis

Act of 14 July 2006 on the entry into the territory of the Republic of Poland, stay in and departure from this territory of citizens of European Union Member States and their family members (Journal of Laws of 11 August 2006, item 1525)

Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (Journal of Laws of 30 December 2013, item 1650, as amended)

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 book your appointment in the e-konsulat system.

What documents do you need to submit?

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 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. A copy of the page in the passport with personal data and a photo. 
5. Applicants for a Schengen (uniform) visa for single or double entries shall demonstrate that they have adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering all expenses that may arise during their stay (s) in the territory of the Member States in relation to return for medical reasons, 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 facility where you apply for a visa.
7. According to the harmonized list of documents, you should present:
   • a flight or travel reservation or any other confirmation of the intended means of transport
   • confirmation of accommodation
   • documents confirming the solvency
   • documents confirming employment
   • for pupils and students a certificate of inclusion on the list

And also, depending on the purpose of the trip, also provide additional documents:

• TOURISM - planned travel itinerary
• BUSINESS TRAVELS
  • a written request from the host entity approved by the competent authorities in accordance with national law.
  • information provided by the invited legal entity registered in Azerbaijan.
• UNDERSTANDING LEARNING OR PARTICIPATING IN TRAININGS, INCLUDING EXCHANGE PROGRAMS AND OTHER SCHOOL ACTIVITIES 
  • a written application or a certificate of enrollment on the list of pupils / students drawn up by the host school, university, institute, etc. in the Member State of destination.
• TRAVELS INTENDED FOR OFFICIAL VISITS
  • official invitation from the inviting office or international organization
  • official letter from a national office or organization confirming that the applicant is a member of an official delegation traveling to a Member State to take part in official meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs and at events organized in the territory of a Member State by intergovernmental organizations ;
• VISIT TO FAMILY MEMBERS OR FRIENDS
  • a visit to close relatives - spouse, children, parents (including legal guardians), grandparents and grandchildren - a written request from the host person made in accordance with the national law of one of the Member States; - a document confirming the existence of a kinship; - a document confirming the stay of the visited person.
  • for journeys undertaken for the purpose of visiting relatives, with the exception of close family members or friends referred to above: - invitation; 
  • proof of payment of the costs of stay by another person or proof of accommodation with a private person;
  • participation in the funeral ceremony: official document confirming death and confirmation of kinship or other relationship between the applicant and the buried.
  • persons wishing to visit a military or civil cemetery: an official document confirming the existence and preservation of the grave as well as family or other relationship between the applicant and the buried.
• HEALTH JOURNEYS 
  • an official document issued by a given medical institution, confirming the necessity to provide a given person with medical care in this institution, the need for an accompanying person and proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of treatment.
• PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL SPORTS EVENTS (including for professional accompanying persons)
  • a written request from the host organization, competent authorities, national sports federations of the Member States or the Republic of Azerbaijan or the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan or the National Olympic Committees of the Member States
  • fans or guests of international sports events must present an admission ticket / voucher. 
• PARTICIPATION IN SCIENTIFIC, ACADEMIC, CULTURAL OR ARTISTIC ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING UNIVERSITY AND OTHER EXCHANGE PROGRAMS, TAKING INTO THE TERRITORY OF THE MEMBER STATES (S)
  • a written request from the host organization to participate in these activities,
  • viewers or guests of cultural / artistic events must present an admission ticket / voucher.
• INTERNATIONAL TRAFFIC DRIVERS AND PASSENGER TRANSPORT SERVICES BETWEEN THE TERRITORIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN AND MEMBER STATES OF VEHICLES REGISTERED BY NATIONAL REGISTERED ASREGISTER REPORTS 
  • a written request from the national company or association (union) of carriers of the Republic of Azerbaijan or by the national associations of carriers of the Member States involved in international road transport, stating the purpose, route, duration and frequency of the trips.
• CONDUCTING JOURNALIST ACTIVITIES AND TRAVELING BY ACCREDITED ACCOMPANYING PERSONS FOR PROFESSIONAL PURPOSES
  • a certificate or other document issued by the applicant's professional body or employer, proving that the person concerned is a professional journalist and certifying that the purpose of the trip relates to a journalistic assignment or proving that the person concerned is a member of the technical team accompanying the journalist for professional purposes.
• OFFICIAL EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ORGANIZED BY PARTNER CITIES 
  • a written request from the head of the municipality / mayors of these cities from one of the Member States.
• REPRESENTATIVES OF FREE PROFESSIONS PARTICIPATING IN INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS, CONFERENCES, SYMPOSIS, SEMINARS OR OTHER SIMILAR EVENTS TAKING OUT IN THE TERRITORY OF A MEMBER STATE
  • a written request from the host organization in one of the Member States confirming that the person concerned is participating in the event.
• REPRESENTATIVES OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF TRAINING, PARTICIPATION IN SEMINARS AND CONFERENCES, INCLUDING IN THE FRAMEWORK OF EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
  • a written request from the host organization, confirmation that the person is representing the civil society organization and certificate of establishment of such organization from the relevant registry issued by a government agency in accordance with national legislation.

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.

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. 
• As a rule, the above-mentioned documents are sufficient to issue a decision, but the consul may request additional documentation.
• Submit your visa application no earlier than 6 months before the planned trip and no later than 15 days before the departure date.
• 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?

The fee for processing the visa application is 80, - euro.

Due to the EU-Azerbaijan visa facilitation agreement, the visa application fee for Azerbaijani citizens is 35, - euro.

The fee for processing the visa application is waived from:

• close relatives - spouses, children (including adopted), parents (including guardians), grandparents and grandchildren - citizens of the European Union legally residing in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan, citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan legally residing in the territory of the Member States, citizens of the European Union residing in the territory of the state the country of which they are nationals and citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan residing in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
• members of official delegations, including permanent members of official delegations who, following an official invitation addressed to the Member States, the European Union or the Republic of Azerbaijan, participate in official meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs, as well as in events organized on the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan or one of the countries membership by intergovernmental organizations;
• pupils, students, postgraduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips for the purposes of study or educational training, including in the framework of exchange programs and other school activities;
• disabled people and, if necessary, their guardians;
• participants of international sports events and persons accompanying them in a professional capacity;
• persons participating in scientific, cultural and artistic activities, including university and other exchange programs;
• persons who have presented evidence of the necessity to travel for humanitarian reasons, including for the purpose of urgent treatment, and persons accompanying them, or to attend the funeral of a close relative or visit a seriously ill close relative;
• representatives of civil society organizations who undertake trips for the purposes of training, seminars and conferences, including in the framework of exchange programs;
• old age and disability pensioners;
• children under the age of 12;
• journalists and technical crew accompanying them on a professional basis.

Payment is only accepted in cash and EURO at the time of application

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 45 days.

How will you pick up your documents?

You will receive the decision on the day indicated on the cash register receipt, which you received after submitting the application, between 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Consular Department.

How can you appeal?

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.

Acceptance of applications for reconsideration of the case are accepted on:

Monday - Friday from 13: 00-14: 00

The Consular and Polish Diaspora Department in Baku reserves the right to stop accepting applications on a given date, if a given person is able to submit an application on time on the next admission day.

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 take into account 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 15-day corridor when insured?

Corridor 15 days these are additional days when the insurance should be valid. To present the appropriate insurance, you should add 15 days to the number of days of the planned stay - this way you will calculate the correct insurance period. The insurance should be valid for at least the number of days you plan to stay.

What documents do I need to present to obtain a visa longer than the intended first stay in Schnegen?

Multiple visas are issued:

• for a period of 1 year - if the applicant has lawfully used 3 visas within the last 2 years;
• for a period of 2 years - if the applicant has lawfully used a previous (one-year) multiple visa within the last 2 years;
• for a period of 5 years - if the applicant has lawfully used a previous multiple (two-year) visa within the last 3 years.

The consul each time assesses the submitted documents and the visa history, and on this basis a decision is made. There is no detailed list of documents required in this regard.

How much money do I need for my living?

The amount of the required funds is specified in the Ordinance of the Minister of the Interior.

It is:

• PLN 300, if the period of the planned stay does not exceed 4 days,
• PLN 75 for each day of the planned stay, if the period of the planned stay exceeds 4 days - or the equivalent of this amount in foreign currencies.

If you are entering the territory of Poland:

• as a participant in a tourist event, youth camp, sports competition,
• you have paid the costs of your stay in the Republic of Poland,
• you come to a health and sanatorium facility,
• you are a participant of a program enabling the performance of summer work on the territory of the Republic of Poland, which is not the main purpose of his stay, regulated by an international agreement to which the Republic of Poland is a party

you must have at least PLN 20 for each day of the planned stay, but not less than PLN 100, or the equivalent of this amount in foreign currencies.

If I plan to leave Poland within the validity period of the visa to another Schengen country, do I have to inform about it in the visa application?

Yes, the application should contain full information about the travel plans, this may have an impact, for example, on the decision to issue a single or multiple visas.

Where will you handle the matter?

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

ul. Kichik Gala 2, Icheri Sheher (Old Town)

Azerbaijan, AZ-1000, Baku,

9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

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 book your appointment in the e-konsulat system.

Remember that you must apply for a visa no later than two weeks before the planned departure.

NOTE - When registering, provide full and authentic data contained in the submitted documents. The data entered in the application must be consistent with the data contained in the documents (also in terms of spelling).

Persons interested in obtaining a national visa in order to work, please make appointments only in the e-konsulat system. 

In order to book the deadline for submitting an application for a national work visa:

• go to the website  https://secure2.e-konsulat.gov.pl/
• in the MENU tab, select the option "National visa - register the form", and then select whether you are applying for a work visa or another one, and whether you accept the rules for submitting the application:
• if you choose "National visa - work", fill in the initial visa application containing your basic data and details of the document entitling you to work in Poland. If the details entered are correct, you will receive an email with a link to complete the full visa application. You have 48 hours to enter your full application. Fill out the application, save it and print it. If the data is not properly verified or the full application is not completed within 48 hours, the registration will be canceled;
• if you choose "National visa - other", choose the date of your visit, fill in the visa application, save it and print it;
• if there are more than the available places available, appointments will be made by electronic drawing,
• all information, confirmations, and links to fill in applications are sent automatically by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by you,
• You must come to the consular office within the set / agreed date with the printed and signed visa form, the original work permit and the complete set of necessary documents.

The appointment dates for visa matters are drawn from the e-konsulat system every Saturday. Employees of consular offices cannot interfere with the process of drawing applications, which will be assigned the date of the visit.

After the draw, you will receive information about its results and:

• when your application has been drawn, you will receive information about the date of the visit,
• if your application has not been selected in a given pool of shared visits, it goes to the next draw.

What documents do you need to submit?

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 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 intended 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 person applying for a national visa shall in person submit 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, on the basis of a bill issued by that entity. 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.
6. A copy of an identity document confirming legal residence in the consular district of the facility where you apply for a visa.
7. Confirmation of financial resources in the form determined by the facility.
8. Document confirming the accommodation (eg official invitation or hotel reservation).
9. Documents confirming the purpose of stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

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.

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. 
• As a rule, the above-mentioned documents are sufficient to issue a decision, but the consul may 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 processing the visa application is 80, - euro.

The following are exempt from the visa application fee:

• holders of the Pole's Card
• family members of EU citizens:
  • the spouse of an EU citizen;
  • for a direct descendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, aged up to 21 or dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse;
  • for direct ascendant of the EU citizen or his spouse, dependent on the EU citizen or his spouse.
• family members of Polish citizens:
  • for the spouse of a citizen of the Republic of Poland;
  • for 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;
  • for 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.

Payment is only accepted in cash and EURO at the time of application.

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 60 days. In urgent and justified cases, a decision may be made within three working days.

How will you pick up your documents?

You will receive the decision on the day indicated on the cash register receipt, which you received after submitting the application, between 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at the Consular Department.

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 80, - euro.

Applications for reconsideration of applications are accepted from Monday to Friday between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. You do not need to register a visit.

The Consular and Polish Diaspora Department in Baku reserves the right to stop accepting applications on a given date, if a given person is able to submit an application on time on the next admission day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What documents should I attach if I am going to work?

• insurance for the entire planned period of stay in Poland. You can find detailed information about the insurer in this LINK
• documents confirming professional experience
• a work permit for a foreigner in Poland (except for graduates of Polish universities, then a diploma is required)

Do I have to present a return ticket booking?

For domestic visas, please present your one-way ticket booking only.

Do I need the original work permit when submitting the application?

Yes.

Can I pay for the processing of the application by bank transfer and in a currency other than euro?

No.

What documents should I attach if I am going to study?

• insurance for the entire planned period of stay in Poland
• certificate from the university, in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister and Science of Higher Education of 23/09/2019 on the certificate of a unit conducting studies or education at a doctoral school on admitting a foreigner to full-time studies or education at a doctoral school or continuing full-time studies or education at school doctoral thesis
• information about accommodation
• documents confirming previous education
• maintenance funds (sponsorship letter with information on the sponsor's earnings along with a bank statement or a bank confirmation of having funds on your own account)
• confirmation of the tuition fee

What are the rules for applying for a refund of tuition fees if you do not obtain a visa allowing you to enter Poland for the purpose of taking up or continuing your studies?

The conditions for charging fees for educational services by public universities are set out in the Act of July 20, 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 admitted to studies conclude agreements with universities, the provisions of which contain detailed conditions related to the admission process, the course of studies, including provisions regarding the amount of fees and the rules for reimbursement of fees paid. Candidates for studies should read these documents in detail, in particular with the provisions on the rules for obtaining reimbursement of paid tuition fees.

Reimbursement issues are dealt with directly between students and colleges. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, the Embassy of the Republic of Poland, as well as the Consulates of the Republic of Poland do not mediate in contacts between the student and the university, nor do they have legal tools allowing a foreigner who has been refused a student visa to obtain a refund of the tuition fees paid by him.

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

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

1. doctors,
2. dentists,
3. nurses,
4. midwives,
5. 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 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 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 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. 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.

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 a 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 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 a 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 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 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 "Consular information" -> "Visas" -> "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 "Consular information" -> "Visas" -> "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:

• a completed, printed and signed visa application form in the e-konsulat system ;
• 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;
• 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,
• a copy of the page in the passport with personal data and a photo,
• 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,
• a copy of an identity document confirming legal residence in the consular district of the Polish consulate in which you apply for a visa,
• 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.

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

6. 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" .

7. 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.

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

9. 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 appropriate consulate - select the option "Consular information"  -> "Visas" ->  "D visa - submission of the application" ->  "How can you appeal?".