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. 

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 visit more than one Schengen country, but there is no main destination country and 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.

Visas for the participants of the Youth Mobility Program

Young Canadians - who want to study or work in Poland for up to one year - can apply for a long term national visas under conditions provided for in the Youth Mobility Program. 

THE YOUTH MOBILITY PROGRAM POLAND - CANADA

The purpose of this Program is to simplify administrative procedures applicable when young citizens of Poland and Canada intend to enter and stay in the territory of other country to complement their post-secondary education or training, to acquire work experience and to improve their knowledge of other's languages, culture and society.

The Youth Mobility Program Poland - Canada allows Canadian and Polish citizens between the ages of 18 and 35 to work up to a year, under one of the following categories:

Professional development

Gain professional work experience to better compete in a global economy. This program is designed for young professionals, including students and post-secondary graduates, wishing to gain further training in their field under a pre-arranged contract of employment or internship contract (up to 12 months). Work permit is not required!

Internship / On-the-Job Training

Acquire valuable overseas work experience related to your field of study. This program is designed for students who intend to complete part of their academic curriculum by undertaking internship or work placement arranged by agreement between educational institutions (up to 12 months). Work permit is not required!

Working-Holiday Program

Fund your vacation with temporary work in Poland. This program is designed for young citizens, including registered students in their home country, who intend to travel in the host country and who wish to obtain paid employment on an occasional basis in order to supplemet their financial resources (up to 12 months). Work permit is not required!

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

• National Visa Application Form (printed, dated and signed).
• Filled-in Declaration.
• Canadian passport - must be valid for at least 3 months from the date of intended departure from Poland with at least one blank visa page.
• 2 passport size identity photos.
• Travel itinerary reservation for the flight back or proof of sufficient financial means to buy one ( min. 2500 PLN).
• Healthcare insurance valid across all countries of the Schengen area for the amount not lower than EUR 30,000, deductible $0, covering medical emergency, transportation, hospitalization, repatriation.
• Pre-arranged contract of employment, internship contract or volunteering contract/invitation (up to 12 months) - signed, on company letterhead, with address and contact phone of the company. This document must specify the dates, duration, salary and duties related to your job or internship;

or

Documentation proving registration at a post-secondary institution in Canada and demonstrate that you have been granted consent to undertake compulsory internship or traineeship in Poland. This document must specify the dates, duration, salary and duties related to your job or internship;

or

A statement confirming that purpose of your stay in Poland is training and learning and a declaration of intent to offer employment form the prospective employer.

• Up-to-date basic curriculum vitae.

VISA FEE: The participation fee is 150 CAD. Acceptable forms of payment: cash, Money Order, or certified checks payable to Consulate General of Poland. Personal checks are not accepted.

Simplified Visa procedure for family members of EU citizens

For a visa to be issued on the basis of Directive 2004/38/EC, the following requirements need to be satisfied: 

1. The visa applicant is a direct “family member” of an EU citizen;
2. The visa applicant will be travelling with the EU citizen for a visit or permanent move to an EU member state. (If they are going to the “home” country of the EU citizen, then there is a requirement that the EU citizen is/was living/working in a different member state. Please note that EU nationals who have always lived in the country of their nationality are not exercising EU treaty rights. Their family members therefore are not covered by the provisions of Directive 2004/38/EC);

EU nationals include:

• nationals of EU member states,
• nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

A family member of an EU national is:

• a spouse,
• a partner with whom an EU national formed a partnership under the law of a given EU state, provided that this country’s law recognizes a formal partnership as equal to a marriage,
• a child under 21 who is dependent on an EU national, his/her spouse or partner.

Under the procedure you are eligible to submit your visa application:

• free of charge,
• without prior appointment.

Required documents:

• A printed and signed visa application (filled in online)
• A recent photo in colour 35 x 45 mm size,
• A valid passport,
• A document confirming marriage or partnership with an EU national,
• A document confirming that you accompany an EU national in his/her journey or join him/her in their place of residence.

You can have your visa application refused only if:
consul refuses a visa in the form of a decision. You can appeal against the refusal 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

Ustawa z dnia 12 grudnia 2013 r. o cudzoziemcach

Ustawa z dnia 25 czerwca 2015 r. Prawo konsularne

Where to apply?

You can apply at the consular office in the consular district based on your place of residence:

Consular districts

Consular Section of the Embassy of Poland in Ottawa
This consular district includes Ottawa, counties: Ottawa-Carleton, Lanark, Prescot-Russel, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Leeds-Grenville, Frontenac, Lennox, Addington, Renfrew.

Consulate General in Montreal
This consular district includes: the provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island

Consulate General in Toronto
This consular district includes: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut

Consulate General in Vancouver
This consular district includes: British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon

Do I have to apply in person?

Visa application form must be submitted in person. The 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. Visiting hours depend on the consular office you will choose to submit your application (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) - you will choose the date and the time of the visit suitable for you once you register for a visit in one of the consular offices via the e-konsulat system. 

Remember to apply for a visa not later than two weeks before the planned departure (but not earlier than 3 months before the departure).

What documents do I need to submit?

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 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, eyes must remain open and clearly visible, hair must not cover any parts of the eye, only glasses with clear lenses can be worn, frames must not cover any part of the eye. Reflection in lenses is not acceptable.
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 copy of all pages with stamps and visas.
5. Applicants for a uniform Schengen visa for one or two entries shall prove that they are in possession of adequate and valid travel medical insurance to cover any expenses which, during their stay (s) on the territory of the Member States may arise in connection with the need to return for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment or death. The insurance shall be valid throughout the territory of the Schengen Area Member States and cover the entire period of the person’s intended stay. The minimum coverage shall be EUR 30,000.
6. Copy of an ID document to confirm residence within the consular district of your application and re-entry document. Travelers returning to Canada: Canadian passport or permanent residence card or visa sticker (valid for at least three months after the date of re-entry). Travelers proceeding to onward travel, after leaving the territory of the Member States (not returning to Canada): travel reservation (plane/train ticket) and relevant visa or travel document authorizing entry into the country of destination.
7. Proof that you have enough means of subsistence in the form decided by the mission (e.g. your bank account statement for the last 3 months). The amount of financial resources required for a foreigner for a stay in Poland is specified in the order of the Minister of the Interior of 23 February 2015 (text of the order, in Polish only, can be downloaded here). A foreigner entering Poland must have financial means for covering the cost of stay in Poland in the amount of PLN 300, if the period of planned stay does not exceed 4 days, or PLN 75 for each day of planned stay, if the period of planned stay exceeds 4 days. Financial resources should be reported in Canadian dollars (CAD). For student visas - financial resources should cover the costs of tuition, accommodation and cost of living.  
8. Proof of travel arrangements: a round trip flight/travel reservation or other proof of intended transport and full itinerary.
9. A document to confirm the purpose and the conditions of your planned stay in Poland.​​​​​​
   • Tourism - Individuals: confirmed hotel reservations, stating the name, address and telephone number of the hotel or hotels, including the booking confirmation number. Groups: the letter of the travel agency mentioning the same information as for individuals, or other proof of accommodation.
   • Visiting family and friends - Invitation letter from the friend/relative, stating the relation, address and telephone number of the friend/relative or invitation issued by the Voivodship Office where your Polish host is residing (in case of not sufficient financial means). Copy of the ID card (national or residence permit) of the friend/relative.
   • Business - Invitation letter from the business partner specifying the nature of the business. Reference letter from the employer. Confirmed accommodation/hotel reservation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel. 
   • Students/researchers/volunteers - Letter from the receiving institution on the length and purpose of the stay. Letter from the home institution on enrolment. Confirmed accommodation/hotel reservation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel.
   • Participation in cultural, economic, political, scientific or sport events - An invitation letter from the organizer specifying the nature of the event. Confirmed accommodation/hotel reservation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel.
   • Work - Work permit or Certificate of Employment (only language teachers). Confirmed accommodation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel.

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.

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?

The fee is 119 CAD. 

The fees must be paid at the office counter when submitting the application. Accepted forms of payment: cash, money order, certified bank check (credit cards, debit cards or personal checks are not accepted). Consulate General in Toronto accepts debit cards.

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?

You will be informed how to collect your documents during a visit to the consular office to submit a visa application.  To send back your passport via mail, please provide Xpress post envelope.  

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 117 CAD

Applications for re-considerations are processed by:

1. Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ottawa – Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays – 10am to 1pm, Tuesdays – 1pm to 4pm;
2. Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Montreal – Mondays, Wednesdays – 10am to 12pm, Tuesdays – 2pm to 4pm;
3. Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto – Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays– 9am to 1pm;
4. Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Vancouver – Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays– 10am to 1pm, Wednesdays – 1pm to 4pm.

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.

1. Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Ottawa – Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays – 10am to 1pm, Tuesdays – 1pm to 4pm;
2. Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Montreal – Mondays, Wednesdays – 10am to 12pm, Tuesdays – 2pm to 4pm;
3. Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Toronto – Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays– 9am to 1pm;
4. Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Vancouver – Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays– 10am to 1pm, Wednesdays – 1pm to 4pm.

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:

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

Where to apply?

You can apply at the consular office in the consular district based on your place of residence:

Consular districts

Consular Section of the Embassy of Poland in Ottawa
This consular district includes Ottawa, counties: Ottawa-Carleton, Lanark, Prescot-Russel, Stormont-Dundas-Glengarry, Leeds-Grenville, Frontenac, Lennox, Addington, Renfrew.

Consulate General in Montreal
This consular district includes: the provinces of Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island

Consulate General in Toronto
This consular district includes: Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nunavut

Consulate General in Vancouver
This consular district includes: British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest Territories, Yukon

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.

Visiting hours depend on the consular office you will choose to submit your application (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) - you will choose the date and the time of the visit suitable for you once you register for a visit in one of the consular offices via the e-konsulat system. 

Remember to apply for a visa not later than two weeks before the planned departure (but not earlier than 3 months before the departure).

What documents do I need to submit? 

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 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, eyes must remain open and clearly visible, hair must not cover any parts of the eye, only glasses with clear lenses can be worn, frames must not cover any part of the eye. Reflection in lenses is not acceptable.
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 copy of all pages with stamps and visas.
5. Applicants for a national visa submits a document confirming the possession of travel medical insurance in person under Article 25(1)(2)(a) or health insurance certificates in the Act of August 27, 2004 the meaning of the provisions of law on health care services financed from public funds. The travel medical insurance with the minimum sum insured of EUR 30 000, valid for the length of the foreigner’s stay in Poland, which will cover all expenses related to a necessary return for medical reasons, emergency medical help, urgent hospitalization, or death; such certificate should include the insurer’s commitment to pay the costs of health care services provided for the insured directly to the benefit of the health care services’ provider on the basis of a bill issued by the provider. More information: https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas --> Information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the insurers and the insurances that they offer, 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.
6. Copy of an ID document to confirm residence within the consular district of your application and re-entry document. Travelers returning to Canada: Canadian passport or permanent residence card or visa sticker (valid for at least three months after the date of re-entry). Travelers proceeding to onward travel, after leaving the territory of the Member States (not returning to Canada): travel reservation (plane/train ticket) and relevant visa or travel document authorizing entry into the country of destination.
7. Proof that you have enough means of subsistence in the form decided by the mission (e.g. your bank account statement for the last 3 months). The amount of financial resources required for a foreigner for a stay in Poland is specified in the order of the Minister of the Interior of 23 February 2015 (text of the order, in Polish only, can be downloaded here). A foreigner entering Poland must have financial means for covering the cost of stay in Poland in the amount of PLN 300, if the period of planned stay does not exceed 4 days, or PLN 75 for each day of planned stay, if the period of planned stay exceeds 4 days. Financial resources should be reported in Canadian dollars (CAD). For student visas - financial resources should cover the costs of tuition, accommodation and cost of living.  
8. Proof of travel arrangements: a round trip flight/travel reservation or other proof of intended transport and full itinerary.
9. A document to confirm the purpose and the conditions of your planned stay in Poland.​​​​​​
   • Tourism - Individuals: confirmed hotel reservations, stating the name, address and telephone number of the hotel or hotels, including the booking confirmation number. Groups: the letter of the travel agency mentioning the same information as for individuals, or other proof of accommodation.
   • Visiting family and friends - Invitation letter from the friend/relative, stating the relation, address and telephone number of the friend/relative or invitation issued by the Voivodship Office where your Polish host is residing (in case of not sufficient financial means). Copy of the ID card (national or residence permit) of the friend/relative.
   • Business - Invitation letter from the business partner specifying the nature of the business. Reference letter from the employer. Confirmed accommodation/hotel reservation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel. 
   • Students/researchers/volunteers - Letter from the receiving institution on the length and purpose of the stay. Letter from the home institution on enrolment. Confirmed accommodation/hotel reservation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel.
   • Participation in cultural, economic, political, scientific or sport events - An invitation letter from the organizer specifying the nature of the event. Confirmed accommodation/hotel reservation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel.
   • Work - Work permit or Certificate of Employment (only language teachers). Confirmed accommodation, stating the name, address and telephone number of the accommodation/hotel.

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.

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.
• 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 fee is 119 CAD. 

The fees must be paid at the office counter when submitting the application. Accepted forms of payment: cash, money order, certified bank check (credit cards, debit cards or personal checks are not accepted). Consulate General in Toronto accepts debit cards.

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 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?

You will be informed how to collect your documents during a visit to the consular office to submit a visa application. To send back your passport via mail, please provide Xpress post envelope. 

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.

In order to re-apply for a visa, please book your appointment via the e-konsulat system. Visiting hours depend on the consular office you will choose to submit your application (Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver) - you will choose the date and the time of the visit suitable for you once you register for a visit in one of the consular offices via the e-konsulat system.

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

1. doctors,
2. dentists,
3. nurses,
4. obstetricians,
5. paramedics,

who obtained qualifications to practice their professions in non-EU states.

Proceedings on granting consent to perform work in Poland in the above-mentioned professions will be simplified and the procedure will be significantly shortened.

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

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

will be able to apply for consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a doctor or dentist in Poland and to apply to a regional medical authority for the conditional right to practice as a doctor or dentist in connection with the announcement of the state of the epidemic. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for visa application to perform work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

Doctor or dentist who has obtained the conditional right to practice in Poland will not be able to practice in Poland outside of a healthcare facility intended to provide health services to patients suffering from COVID-19 - unless they obtain 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 2nd-degree specialization or has the title of specialist.

The conditional right to practice as a doctor or dentist shall be valid for a period of 5 years from the date of 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 conditions after 5 years from the date of its issuance. After this period, doctor or dentist will be able to practice in Poland having met the requirements specified 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.

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

1. has a doctor's or dentist's diploma confirming completion of at least 5-year studies,
2. has a diploma confirming obtaining the title of specialist,
3. has full legal capacity (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by a doctor/dentist),
4. demonstrates 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),
5. demonstrates an impeccable ethical attitude (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by doctor/dentist),

will be able to apply for consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of doctor or dentist in Poland and to apply to the regional medical authority for the conditional right to practice as a doctor or dentist in connection with the announcement of the state of the epidemic. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for visa application to perform work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

Doctor or dentist who has obtained the conditional right to practice in Poland for the first 3 months will practice the profession under supervision, they will not be able to practice in Poland outside a medical entity intended to provide health services to patients suffering from COVID-19 - unless they obtain 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 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 conditions after 5 years from the date of its issuance. After this period, doctor or dentist will be able to practice in Poland having met the requirements specified 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.

In case doctor or dentist, who obtained professional qualifications outside the EU, additionally meets the following conditions:

1. has submitted a declaration that their command of Polish is sufficient to perform the scope of professional activities entrusted to them (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a self-signed declaration made by doctor/dentist),
2. has obtained a certificate from a healthcare entity in Poland containing a list of organizational units of the healthcare 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,
3. 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,
4. has a diploma confirming the title of a specialist issued in a non-EU state,
5. completed specialization training corresponding to the specialization training program in Poland (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be the specialization training program),

will be able to apply for consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a doctor or dentist in Poland and for granting 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 from the regional medical authority. They 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 has the title of specialist. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for visa application to perform 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 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 issuance. After this period, a doctor or dentist will be able to practice in Poland only after the diploma is recognized or after passing the Medical Verification Examination organized by the Medical Examinations Center in Łódź, completing or recognizing the postgraduate internship, passing the Final Medical Examination.

When applying for permission to practice the profession of a doctor or dentist, 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 the consul or affixed with an apostille by the relevant authority of the state in which these documents have been issued. The state that issued the documents is to decide on the applicable procedure. In the event of an excessively difficult or impossible process of authenticating or legalizing of documents or obtaining an apostille, the Minister of Health will be able to release the applicant from this obligation.

Nurse or obstetrician who obtained professional qualifications outside the EU and meets the following conditions:

1. has a nurse or obstetrician diploma,
2. has the full legal capacity (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement submitted by the nurse/obstetrician),
3. demonstrates an appropriate state of health (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be an appropriate certificate from a doctor authorized to conduct medical examinations of employees),
4. demonstrates an impeccable ethical attitude (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement made by the nurse/obstetrician),

will be able to apply for the consent of the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a nurse or obstetrician in Poland and to apply to a district council of nurses and obstetricians for the conditional right to practice the profession of a nurse or obstetrician in connection with an epidemic or epidemic threat. Obtaining the consent of the Minister of Health will be the basis for visa application to perform work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

A nurse or obstetrician who has obtained the 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 they obtain additional consent from the Minister of Health. A nurse or obstetrician will be obliged to work under the supervision of another nurse or obstetrician.

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

The conditional right to practice the profession of nurse or obstetrician 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 issuance. After this time, a nurse/obstetrician 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 obstetrics.

In case a nurse or obstetrician who has obtained professional qualifications outside the territory of the EU, additionally meets the following conditions:

1. submitted a declaration that they demonstrate command of Polish sufficient to perform the scope of professional activities entrusted to them,
2. obtained a certificate from the entity performing medical activities that contains 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 education,
3. has at least three years of professional experience as a nurse or obstetrician, 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 a consent from the Minister of Health to practice the profession of a nurse or obstetrician in Poland and to apply to a district council of nurses and obstetricians for granting the right to practice the profession of a nurse or obstetrician 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 visa application to perform work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

Nurse or obstetrician will be obliged for a period of 1 year to work under the supervision of another nurse or obstetrician appointed by the head of the medical unit, in which she has been employed.

Nurse and obstetrician who has the right to practice in this manner may not practice in any other medical unit on the territory of the Republic of Poland except for the entity performing the medical activity that issued her certificate, with the exceptions specified in the Act.

The right to practice the profession of a nurse or obstetrician issued under this procedure 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 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 issuance.

After this time, a nurse/obstetrician 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 obstetrics.
When applying for permission to practice the profession of a nurse or obstetrician under this procedure, the diploma of a nurse or obstetrician or its duplicate should be certified and then legalized by the consul or affixed with an apostille by the relevant authority of the state in which the document was issued. The state that issued the documents is to decide on the application procedure. In the event of an excessively difficult or impossible process of authenticating or legalizing of documents or obtaining an apostille, the Minister of Health will be able to release the applicant from this obligation.

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

1. has the full legal capacity (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be a hand-signed statement submitted by a paramedic),
2. demonstrates an appropriate state of health (the document confirming the fulfillment of the condition will be an appropriate certificate from a doctor authorized to conduct medical examinations of employees),
3. 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 consent from 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 visa application to perform work in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

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

Consent to practice 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 will expire in the cases specified in the Act. It will not be possible to extend the consent for another period, nor 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 Ministry of Health (Department of Medical Personnel Development, Ministry of Health, ul. Miodowa 15, 00-952 Warsaw) or submitted directly to the Ministry of Health at 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 decision process. 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 needs to be issued by a relevant authority, the state that issued the documents is to decide on the applicable procedure.

If the diploma was issued in a state 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 relevant office of the state where the document was issued (the list of these offices can be found HERE). If the diploma was issued in a state that is not a party to this Convention, you will have to apply for its authentication at the relevant office of the state in which 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 appropriate qualifications and meet the above-mentioned conditions and would like to work as a doctor or dentist in Poland or work in the profession of a nurse or obstetrician or a paramedic, but you do not have a visa that would entitle you to enter Poland, familiarize yourself with the following path:

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

• directly at the appropriate 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 appropriate consulate by selecting the option "Consular information" → "Visas" → "D-Type national visa".

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

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 mail. To submit an application in this form, citizens of other countries must obtain the consent of the appropriate Polish consul in 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 this on the website of the relevant consulate by selecting the option "Consular information" →"Visas" → "D-Type national visa".

3. For your visa appointment bring with you the documents listed at the beginning of this information (depending on the profession for which you are applying). The consul will forward them to the Minister of Health in order to consider your application for permission to practice in Poland as a doctor (dentist) or nurse, obstetrician or paramedic profession. 

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

• a completed and signed visa form printed from the e-konsulat system;
• a color photograph measuring 3,5 x 4,5 cm. The photo should be:
  • sharp, clear, 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 the top of head to top of shoulders, so that the face covers 70-80% of the photo; for photography, you need to remove the head covering;
• 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,
• 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 30.000,- EUR or a copy of the document confirming health insurance in Poland,
• a copy of your 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 living in the form determined by the Polish consulate confirming that you have sufficient financial resources to stay in Poland until you start work (e.g. bank account statement, certificate of a revolving credit card limit, other).

You can get additional information on general visa procedures 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 fee for the visa application and its processing is given on the website of the appropriate consulate - select the options "Consular information" → "Visas" → "D-Type national visa" →" How much does it cost?"

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 activity will be subject to an additional fee. Information on this can be found on the website of the relevant consulate - select the option "Consular information" → "General information" → "Consular fees".

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

8. You will be informed about the expected date of the decision at the time of submitting the application.→

9. If you do not agree with the consul's decision, you have the right to submit a request for reconsideration of the application. You can submit it directly to the relevant consulate or to one of the Visa Application Centers (VACs) - if they operate in the country where you live, you may also send it by post to the address of the consulate within 14 days of receiving a visa decision. The fee is published on the website of the appropriate consulate - select the option "Consular information" → "Visas" → "D-Type national visa" → "How to appeal?".