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,
• 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

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)

Act of June 25, 2015, Consular Law (Journal of Laws of August 31, 2015, item 1274)

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 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 facility where you apply for a visa.
7. Confirmation of financial resources in the form established by the facility: 
   • a current bank statement of the account status,
   • b. a valid credit card with a certificate of funds that can be used,
   • c. a current certificate from the place of work on the income from the last 3 months,
   • d. traveler's checks issued in the name of the applicant for a visa - original and copy.
8. Document confirming the accommodation (eg official invitation or hotel reservation).
9. Documents confirming the purpose and conditions of the planned 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 request additional documentation.
• Apply for a visa no earlier than 3 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?

The fee for preparing a Schengen visa application (A, C) is 157 , -BGN

Special fees for nationals of individual countries:

BELARUS:

All visas of categories A, C (Schengen): 157, - BGN

Category D visas (Polish - domestic): 157, - BGN

UKRAINE:

All visas of categories A, C (Schengen): 69, - BGN

Category D visas (Polish - national): free of charge

RUSSIA:

All visas of categories A, C (Schengen): 69, - BGN

Category D visas (Polish - domestic): 157, - BGN

ALBANIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, MONTENEGRO, MACEDONIA, MOLDOVA, SERBIA:

All visas of categories A, C (Schengen): 69, - BGN

Category D visas (Polish - domestic): 157, - BGN

Exemptions from fees and discounts are provided for specific categories of people, in accordance with the provisions of international agreements or the Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of 23/04/2013 on consular fees

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

The fees are collected at the office's cash desk when submitting the application.

Accepted forms of payment:   cash.

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?

Documents are collected in person or through an authorized person during the working hours of the consular office.

Parties' admissions:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
9.00-13.00

 Thursday:
no-party day

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 157, - BGN

Documents are accepted during the working hours of the consular office.

Parties' admissions:

Monday, Wednesday
9.00-13.00

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.

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?

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.

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 planned return date, 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 personally 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, 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 "D" visa application processing fee is  157, -BGN

Special fees for nationals of individual countries:

BELARUS:

Category D visas (Polish - domestic): 157, - BGN

UKRAINE:

Category D visas (Polish - national): free of charge

RUSSIA:

Category D visas (Polish - domestic): 157, - BGN

ALBANIA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA, MONTENEGRO, MACEDONIA, MOLDOVA, SERBIA:

Category D visas (Polish - domestic): 157, - BGN

Exemptions from fees and discounts are provided for specific categories of people, in accordance with the provisions of international agreements or the Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of 23/04/2013 on consular fees

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

The fees are collected at the office's cash desk when submitting the application.

Accepted forms of payment: cash.

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?

Documents are collected in person or through an authorized person during the working hours of the consular office.

Parties' admissions:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday
9.00-13.00

Thursday:
no-party day

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 157, - BGN

Documents are accepted during the working hours of the consular office.

Parties' admissions:

Monday, Wednesday
9.00-13.00

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.