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 did not exceed 90 days during 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 travel 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:  https://www.gov.pl/web/dy Diplacja/ visas

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 );
• an up-to-date color photograph measuring 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.

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 re-submit them - the system will automatically transfer your data.

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

• C-type visa - submission of the application

   

  Where will you handle the matter?

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

  Ghanaian citizens and residents can also apply for Schengen short-term visas at the Embassy of the Netherlands in Accra, which represents Poland in Ghana. To make an appointment, please follow the procedure on the website  www.vfsglobal.com

  * NOTE: Due to the restrictions related to the Covid-19 situation, it may not be possible to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa at the Dutch Embassy in Accra, which represents Poland in Ghana. More information at: www.vfsglobal.com 

  How will you make an appointment?

  You can book your appointment in the e-konsulat system ( https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/ ) by selecting the appropriate category, depending on the destination.

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

  Come to the meeting on time with a complete set of required documents.

  
  EMPLOYEE VISA

  If you are applying for  a work visa, register at  www.e-konsulat.gov.pl 

  (Nigeria → Abuja → National Visa - Registration Form → National Visa - Work).

  Dates for visa appointments are determined once a week by means of an automatic draw. If your application has been selected, you will receive an email with a designated date and time for your appointment at the consulate. You have to be on time. It will not be possible to change the assigned date.

  Registered applications remain in the database and take part in the draw in the following weeks, so there is no need to re-register.

  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:

  a.sharp, made on a white background and printed on high-quality paper,

  b. not older than 6 months,

  c. taken straight, showing clearly the eyes and face on both sides from top of head to top of shoulders, so that the face covers 70-80% of the photo. 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. A copy of the return flight ticket reservation.

  6.    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 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.

  7. A copy of an identity document confirming residence in the consular district of the facility where you apply for a visa.

  8. Confirmation of financial resources:

  a.original of the current bank statement on the account status or account statement for the last 3 months,

  b. a valid credit card with an original bank certificate confirming the funds that can be used,

  c. original of the current certificate from the workplace on the income for the last 3 months,

  d. retirement / disability pension claim or pensioner's ID card,

  e. regular property income.

  9. Document confirming the accommodation (eg official invitation or hotel reservation).

  10. Documents confirming the purpose and conditions of the planned stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

  11. If you are not a citizen of Nigeria, please provide a copy of your Nigeria residence permit.

   

  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.

  For Instruments of FOR IN dstawiane by a person applying for a visa for traveling in TOURISM:

  1. Original employment declaration:

  • certificate of no tax arrears and certificate of registration of an enterprise or business activity (Certificate of Business Incorporation) in the case of entrepreneurs;

  • a letter from the employer stating the number of vacation days for employees;

  • for researchers (professors, fellows, lecturers, instructors, etc.) and students, a letter from the school or university;
  • In the case of entrepreneurs - a certificate of running a business in Nigeria or abroad, e.g. a bill of lading, receipt etc.

  2. Any documents confirming ties with Nigeria (marriage certificate, proof of real estate).

  D-type visa - submission of the application

   

  Where will you handle the matter?

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

  How will you make an appointment?

  You can book your appointment in the e-konsulat system ( https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/ ) by selecting the appropriate category, depending on the destination.

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

  Come to the meeting on time with a complete set of required documents.

   

  EMPLOYEE VISA

  If you are applying for  a work visa , register at  www.e-konsulat.gov.pl 

  (Nigeria → Abuja → National Visa - Registration Form → National Visa - Work).

  Dates for visa appointments are determined once a week by means of an automatic draw. If your application has been selected, you will receive an email with a designated date and time for your appointment at the consulate. You have to be on time. It will not be possible to change the assigned date.

  Registered applications remain in the database and take part in the draw in the following weeks, so there is no need to re-register.

  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:

  a.sharp, made on a white background and printed on high-quality paper,

  b. not older than 6 months,

  c. taken straight, showing clearly the eyes and face on both sides from top of head to top of shoulders, so that the face covers 70-80% of the photo. 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. A copy of the return flight ticket reservation (including the return flight).

  6. 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 of no less 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.

   

  7. A copy of an identity document confirming residence in the consular district of the facility where you apply for a visa.

  8. Confirmation of financial resources.

  9. Document confirming the accommodation (eg official invitation or hotel reservation).

  10. Documents confirming the purpose and conditions of the planned stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

  11. If you are not a citizen of Nigeria, please provide a copy of your Nigeria residence permit.

  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.

  Tourism - additional documents

  1. hotel reservation or any other written proof of the possession of the accommodation; applicants who intend to live with family or friends, or who are sponsored by Polish / EU citizens in any other way, are required to submit an invitation registered in the Voivodeship Office;

  2. documents regarding the applicant's financial situation in the country of residence, such as: original certificates from the employer, payroll, bank statement, evidence of real estate ownership / rent; local marriage / family birth certificates;

  3. documents regarding the applicant's family situation (marriage / birth certificates);

  4. proof of employment: Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) and Certificate of Business Incorporation for people running a business.

   

  A-type visa - submission of the application

   

  Where will you handle the matter?

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

  How do you make an appointment?

  You can book your appointment in the e-konsulat system ( https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/ ) by selecting the appropriate category, depending on the destination.

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

  Come to the meeting on time with a complete set of required documents.

   

  EMPLOYEE VISA

  If you are applying for  a work visa , register at  www.e-konsulat.gov.pl 

  (Nigeria → Abuja → National Visa - Registration Form → National Visa - Work).

  Dates for visa appointments are determined once a week by means of an automatic draw. If your application has been selected, you will receive an email with a designated date and time for your appointment at the consulate. You have to be on time. It will not be possible to change the assigned date.

  Registered applications remain in the database and take part in the draw in the following weeks, so there is no need to re-register.

  What documents do you need to submit?

  Remember!

  You only apply for an A type visa if:

  • you plan to stay only in the airport's transit area and do not plan to leave it. A type-A visa does not entitle you to stay in the Schengen area.
  • You are a citizen of one of the following countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.

  You are exempt from applying for an A visa if:

  • you have a diplomatic passport;
  • you are a member of the immediate family of a citizen of the European Union;
  • you have a C or D visa or a residence permit issued by one of the European Union Member States;
  • you have residence permits listed in Annex V to the Community Code on Visas issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino or the United States of America;
  • you have a valid visa for a country belonging to the European Economic Area or Canada, Japan or the United States of America, or you are returning from these countries after using such a visa.

  Required documents:

  • A completed, printed and signed visa application form in the e-konsulat system;
  • Color photo measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm. The photo should be:

  a.sharp, made on a white background and printed on high-quality paper,
  b.not older than 6 months,
  c. taken straight ahead, showing clearly the eyes and face on 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.

  • 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; 
  • A copy of the page in the passport with personal data and a photo;
  • Health insurance, valid in the territory of the Schengen area, for the amount not less than EUR 30,000; 
  • A copy of an identity document confirming residence in the consular district of the facility in which you apply for a visa;
  • Document confirming onward travel after leaving the transit area (e.g. airline ticket or visa to the destination country);
  • Information confirming that you do not plan to enter the territory of the Schengen countries.

  Additionally, when applying for a visa for minors, the following should be provided:

  • 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.

  Attention:

  • 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.
  • The consul has the right to invite the applicant for an interview at the office, but does not have to do so.
  • The A-type visa does not allow you to leave the airport transit area.

  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 the documents?

  After the application is approved by the employee at the Consular Department, the applicant will receive a receipt (payslip) with the date of receipt of the decision and passport. The decision must be collected in person or by an attorney with a written authorization signed by the passport holder.

  Pickup time: Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM .

  Payslips will be collected at 1:00 PM.

  Make sure to be at the Embassy at 12:45 .

  Note: It is not possible to send documents by courier.

  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. It is not possible to appeal by e-mail or courier.

  The fee for submitting such an application is 80 euros.

  Applications for the re-examination of the visa application may be submitted without an appointment from Monday to Friday, between 2:30 PM and 4:00 PM.