Poland, which is one of the most attractive countries in Central Europe, welcomes thousands of visitors who want to witness its rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant cultural traditions.
Poland Visa
The visa application procedures to visit any city in Poland are described in this Poland Visa Guide based on the most recent information provided by the visa regulation authorities. To learn more about the Poland visa that will meet your need, you can check our detailed guide below. Please consider all the information below before you plan your trip to Poland.
Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Poland?
Poland is one of the countries included in the European Union, which might require EU and non-EU citizens to follow different procedures.
What is Schengen Visa?
The Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows the holder to enter and travel within the Schengen Area, a passport-free option among the 26 European countries that makes travel easier and more convenient.
Poland Visa Types
Poland offers various types of visas, including short-term Schengen visas for tourism or business purposes, national visas for long-term stays, and transit visas for travellers passing through Poland to fly to other destinations, whether in the European zone or other parts of the world. Thus, you can choose the Poland visa type that best suits your needs to visit this country.
Poland Schengen Visa (Category C visa- For Short Stay Visits)
Short-term Schengen visa: With this visa, travelers can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period for different purposes, which include tourism, business, or other purposes. Single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visas are the options that passport holders can get from the authorities.
Type A: Airport transit.
Type B: Transit through Poland.
Type C: Short-term stay for up to 90 days in the Schengen area.
To apply for a Poland Schengen visa, the applicant needs to complete various procedures, which include filling out the Poland visa application form, providing supporting documents such as a passport, travel itinerary, accommodation reservation, health insurance, and financial documentation and paying the visa fee for the visa type they are applying. The application for any type of visa from this country can be submitted to the nearest Polish embassy or consulate.
Poland National Visa (Category D visa- For Long Stay Visits)
- Work Visa: This type of visa is for foreigners who have been offered employment in Poland by a Polish employer. With this work visa, the visa holder will gain the right to work in any city in Poland.
- Business Visa: Foreign individuals from different countries worldwide who want to conduct business activities in Poland, such as attending business meetings, negotiating contracts, or establishing a business. The business visa permits the holder of the visa to do business in Poland for the time specified on the visa.
- Student Visa: For students, Poland offers a special type of visa for any Polish educational institution. With this visa, students can stay in any city in the country and pursue their education.
- Research Visa: Poland facilitates visa procedures for scientists by offering a research visa with which researchers and academicians from different countries can visit the country to conduct their studies.
- Family Reunification Visa: This family visa is one of the most convenient ways for the family member(s) outside the country to reunite with those who are already living in Poland.
- Humanitarian Visa: Individuals who seek international protection or humanitarian assistance can apply for this visa and start to live in Poland.
General Requirements to Apply for Poland Visa
Below, the requirements that you need to follow to apply for a visa to visit Poland are specified according to different employment types.
- The passport passport on which the visa application will be made must have at least 90 days of validity following the end of the visa as well as a minimum of two blank pages.
- The first page of the passport must include personal data.
- Previous Schengen visas must be shown as proof.
- The individual is required to fill out the application form and sign the document.
- The Poland visa application requires two biometric photos. These photos must not be older than 6 months.
- A two-way plane ticket must be booked.
- Proof regarding the financial status should be provided, such as bank account details and other supporting documents.
- The occupation of the individuals must be proved via a letter signed by an employer or a document taken from authorities.
- A hotel reservation must be submitted to show the accommodation details.
- Travel health insurance covering up to 30.000 Euros is mandatory for visa application.
Depending on the employment status, the documents requested for the Poland visa are detailed below.
Employed:
Employment contract indicating the salary and position of the employee
Bank account statement for the past 6 months
Letter of leave signed by the employer
Self-employed:
Proof of business license which might be company registration
Bank account statement of the company for the past 6 months
Income Tax Return (ITR)
Student:
Student certificate
Financial sponsorship documents
Retired:
Pension statement of past 6 months.
Unemployed:
Proof regarding the financial status of the individual
Proof of sponsor or documents showing sufficient funds must be provided if the person is not able to finance their own expenses.
What is Visa Sponsorship for Poland?
Any individuals who cannot cover their expenses, such as students or unemployed/retired individuals, must provide proof of sponsorship stating that all the expenses will be covered while they are in the country.
Poland Visa Rules
- Visa requirement: Depending on their nationality, foreign visitors may be required to obtain a visa before entering Poland.
- Purpose of visit: Visitors must have a valid reason for their visit to Poland, which might be tourism, business, study, or family visits.
- Visa validity: The visitors of Poland must have a valid visa to stay in the country and travel across the country.
- Entry requirements: The entry requirements are often the same in all countries, which include a return flight ticket, passport, valid visa, and proof of financial status.
- Compliance with laws: All visitors must comply with Polish laws and regulations during their stay in the country.
Poland Visa Requirements
Some additional documents might be requested for the Poland visa application in addition to the documents stated above:
Poland Visa Requirements for Non-Europeans
Non-Europeans who want to apply for a Poland visa should undergo the abovementioned procedures. In some specific cases, such as visitor visas or study visas, additional documents might be requested, such as the inviter's information or an invitation from the school.
Poland Visa for European Countries
Travellers with EU-zone citizenship can visit Poland without any visa.
Poland Visa requirement for US, UK, and Canadian Citizens
US citizens holding US passports can visit Poland without a visa as long as they have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 3 months and their stay is less than 90 days.
The UK is not included in the Schengen area. However, UK citizens can enter to EU zone without any visa requirements.
Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen zone for stays shorter than 90 days.
Poland Visa Fees
The fees for Poland visas vary depending on the type of visa and the applicant's nationality. Please check the official sources to be sure about the current fees for Poland visa.
Short-Stay Visa (Adults) 80€
Long-Stay/National Visa 80€
Airport Transit Visa 80€
Children Between 6-12 Years of Age 40€
Children Younger Than 6 Years of Age Free of Charge
Nationals of Countries which signed the Visa Fee Facilitation Agreement with the EU 35€
