I. GENERAL INFORMATION

• Aliens may cross the border of the Republic of Poland if they hold a valid passport (other travel document recognized by Polish authorities) and an appropriate visa. Visa requirement was waived for citizens of some countries (see list below). The passport validity must exceed the required date of departure from Poland by at least 3 months.
• An alien entering the territory of the Republic of Poland must prove upon the request of the border authority that he/she has the means (including funds) necessary to cover the costs of his/her entry into, transit through, stay and departure from the territory of the Republic of Poland and the permission to enter another state or to return to his/her country of origin, if such permission is required.
• An alien entering and departing Poland and any other EU countries, carrying the amount in cash (shares, bonds, traveler checks) of 10.000 EURO or more must declare it to the custom authorities.
• An alien entering Poland must possess travel/medical insurance to cover possible medical expenses for at least 30.000 EURO (equivalent in USD) and 100 zlotys per day for accommodation and sustenance.
• In accordance with the provisions of law, the Polish border guard has the sole authority to admit an alien into the territory of the Republic of Poland at the port of entry. This rule pertains to both aliens traveling on passports only, when no visa is required on the basis of bilateral agreements, and those to whom a visa had been issued at a Polish consular post abroad.

US Citizens can travel to Poland for tourism and business for up to 90 days without visa. Visas for U.S. citizens are free of charge.

II. VISAS ISSUED BY POLISH CONSULATES

Since December 21st, 2007 Poland has been a part of the Schengen area formed by 25 States (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Norway, Iceland), a territory with no checks at internal borders.

UNIFORM VISAS which entitle the holder to enter and stay in the Schengen  territory:

• AIRPORT TRANSIT VISA valid only for airport transit, does not entitle the holder to leave the transit zone of the airport. Airport transit visas are issued to citizens of certain countries traveling through Poland to another country. Under the airport transit visa the traveler is allowed to spend a maximum of 2 days in the international zone of Polish airport. Travelers applying for an airport transit visa must first present a visa to the country of their destination,

• TRANSIT VISA valid for transit through the Schengen territory for a period not exceeding 5 days. Transit visas are issued to persons traveling through Poland to another country. Under the transit visa traveler is allowed to spend a maximum of up to 5 days on Polish territory. Travelers applying for a transit visa must first present a visa to the country of their final destination,

• SHORT-STAY VISA valid for stays of no more than 90 days per period of 180 days. Short-stays visas are issued for travelers going to Poland for reasons of tourism, visit, carrying out economic or cultural activities, participation in international conferences or sport events, business, education etc. Visa permits continuous stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland or multiple consecutive period of stay not exceeding jointly 90 days within the period of 180 days.                      

NATIONAL VISAS which entitle the holder to enter and stay only in the territory of the issuing State:

• LONG-STAY VISA valid only for the territory of Poland. Visa permits continues stay or multiple periods of stay not exceeding jointly one year within the period of validity of visa. Long-stay national visas entitle their holders to a maximum 5 days but only ones free transit through the Schengen territory. Long-stay visas are issued for travelers going to Poland for reasons of work, education, carrying out economic or cultural activities, tourism, visit etc. Visa permits continuous stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland or multiple consecutive period of stay not exceeding jointly 1 year within the period of validity of visa.

Holders of Polish residence permits will be allowed to enter the Schengen territory and stay there for period not exceeding 90 days.

Entry conditions for third-country nationals under visa obligation

Third-country nationals will be allowed to enter and stay in Poland, if they are in a possession of one of the following titles:

• uniform short-stay Schengen visa,
• Polish long-stay national visa,
• Polish residence permit,
• residence permit issued by another Schengen State.

The following titles will be valid only for the purpose of transit:

• uniform airport transit Schengen visa,
• uniform transit  Schengen visa.

Citizens of the following countries must apply for airport transit visa: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo (Democratic Republic),  Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, India, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Yemen.

III. FORMAL REQUIREMENTS

When applying for any type of visa one should submit:

• Passport. It must be signed and valid for at least 3 months from the date of intended departure from Poland, with at least one blank visa page (excluding the amendments/endorsements pages at the back);

• Visa Application Form filled out and signed by the applicant. All entries of the form should be properly filled out (no blanks);

• Two passport size photographs;

• Notarized copy of a US Permanent Resident Card (green card) or other document confirming status in the US;

• Bank statement - 3 last statements;

• Confirmation letter from health insurance company stating coverage with a minimum of 30.000 EURO (equivalent in USD) for trips outside the US (copy of healthcare  card is not sufficient);                          
• In the matter of application for national visa one should submit a prove of sufficient funds (at least 300 zlotys per day) or medical insurance or official invitation to cover medical expenses;
• Reference letter from employer.

Documents confirming purpose of trip to Poland

•  transit visa - visa for country of final destination and confirmed airline ticket;
•  visit friends/relatives - invitation from friends/relatives in Poland;
•  tourist visit - proof of group travel/hotel reservation, airline reservation;
•  business trip - business references (letter from US employer, invitation from Polish company or organization, stating that it will bear all accumulating expenses), proof of hotel reservation and airline reservation;
•  study - letter of acceptance of a Polish university/language school/college, evidence of sufficient founds to stay in Poland;
•  employment - work permit or certificate of employment (when applicable).

Caution: persons who intend to work in Poland must submit a valid work permit certificate issued by appropriate local executive authorities (Office of Wojewoda) in Poland or an employer's written declaration confirming the intention to employ the alien if the work permit is not required. Visas for the purpose of carrying out work are issued only by the Polish Consul at the office appropriate for the applicant's legal permanent residence, for the period of stay not exceeding one year, relevant to the period indicated in the permit or the employer's written declaration. Employment without prior authorization is strictly prohibited. English language teachers planning to work in Poland at universities (colleges) instead of the work permit certificate must submit Certificate of Employment issued by president of that university/college.

• Visa fee in the specified amount (see separate information). Acceptable forms of payment for consular fees are: cash, Money Order, Traveler's Checks or certified checks payable to The Embassy of Poland. Personal checks are not accepted. Please note that visa fees are not refundable.

• SAS envelope or prepaid airway bill of the carrier of one's choice. Applicants, who fail to do so, will receive their passport and visa by regular first-class mail.

Caution: Visa application will not be processed if the applicant fails to comply with the above instruction. The Embassy of the Republic of Poland reserves the right to return incomplete documentation at applicant's own risk and cost.

IN EVERY CASE WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION OR TO CONDUCT A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH THE APPLICANT.

Citizens of the following countries are waived from visa requirement if stay in Poland up to 90 days:

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Visa FEE Schedule

Airport visa $ 86

Transit visa $ 86

Short-stay Schengen visa $ 86

Long-stay national visa $ 86

Visa fee for citizens of Belarus

Transit visa $ 86

Short-stay Schengen visa $ 86

Long-stay national visa $ 28

Visa fee for citizens of Russian Federation

Transit visa $ 50

Short-stay Schengen visa $ 50

Long-stay national visa  $ 86