NOTE: This guide was last updated on 20.11.2024. Please check the authenticity and validity of the information on this website before proceeding with your visa application. Use Timatic and the official sources we provided on this page for the most up-to-date information.

Poland Visa Guide

Poland, one of the most attractive countries in Central Europe, welcomes thousands of visitors each year to witness its rich history, diverse landscapes, and vibrant cultural traditions.

This Poland Visa Guide provides a detailed explanation regarding the visa application procedures for visiting any city in Poland, based on the most recent information provided by the visa regulation authorities. Please consider all the information below before you plan your trip to Poland and don’t forget to confirm them through official sources.

Do I Need a Visa to Travel to Poland?

Poland is a member of the European Union and a Schengen country, requiring EU and non-EU citizens to follow different procedures. Non-EU citizens whose passports do not entail visa-free travel within the Schengen Area must apply for a Schengen visa to visit Poland. Those who hold an EU passport, on the other hand, boast freedom of travel and work in Poland.

If you are planning to travel to Poland, it is advisable to show your plane ticket when applying for a visa. This can help your visa to be approved more easily. Although flight and hotel reservations are not mandatory, it is important to show that you will make a planned trip. By booking your flight ticket to Poland in advance, you can benefit from early booking advantages and make your visa process easier.

Did you book a flight to Poland?

The first step of planning your trip to Poland is securing your plane ticket. Thankfully, Pegasus Airlines offers affordable flights to Warsaw and Krakow. You can book your flight ticket with Pegasus now to enjoy a comfy and economical trip.

You may also be interested in these articles:

Poland Travel Guide

Warsaw Travel Guide

What is a 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 area encompassing the 26 European countries that facilitates travel, commerce, and residency for EU citizens.

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.

Poland Schengen Visa (Category C visa- For Short Stay Visits)

Type C, or The Uniform Schengen visa, allows travellers to stay in Poland 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.

To apply for a Poland Schengen visa, the applicant needs to complete various procedures and must submit a variety of documents:

• A travel document that is valid for at least three months after the (last) planned date for leaving the Schengen Area,
• Application form filled out and signed,
• A passport-size photograph,
• Proof of visa fee payment,
• Medical travel insurance with EUR 30.000 coverage and valid throughout the Schengen Area,
• Supporting documentation:
  • Document confirming the purpose of travel,
  • Document confirming adequate financial resources to cover the cost of living during the stay in Poland,
  • Document confirming accommodation or sufficient financial means to cover accommodation in Poland,
  • A document that demonstrates the applicant’s willingness to leave the Schengen Area before the visa expires.

Remember that the supporting documents may be different, depending on the country where the visa application is submitted and the latest regulations by the European authorities. Therefore, please check the official website of the Republic of Poland to make sure to receive up-to-date information.

Poland National Visa (Category D visa- For Long Stay Visits)

The general requirements for a Poland National Visa are rather similar to those for Poland Schengen Visa. However, depending on the purpose of your visit, you may need to provide further documentation:

• A travel document that is valid for at least three months after the (last) planned date for leaving the Schengen Area,
• Application form filled out and signed,
• Recent passport-size photographs,
• Proof of visa fee payment,
• Medical travel insurance with EUR 30.000 coverage and valid throughout the Schengen Area,
• Supporting documentation:
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel – i.e. letter of acceptance from a university, a work contract, an invitation from a family member, etc.,
  • Document confirming adequate financial resources to cover the cost of living during the stay in Poland,
  • Document confirming accommodation or sufficient financial means to cover accommodation in Poland – i.e. bank statements, pay slips, pension payments, financial assets,
  • A document that demonstrates the applicant’s willingness to leave the Schengen Area before the visa expires.

More and most recent information regarding Poland Type D Visa can be found on the Republic of Poland website.

Poland Visa Requirements

Some additional documents might be requested for the Poland visa application in addition to the documents stated above:

Work Visa

Travellers can apply for a Type C or Type D Poland Visa for work purposes. This type of visa is given to foreigners who have been offered employment in Poland by a Polish employer. With this visa, the visa holder will gain the right to work and settle in any city in Poland.

• Work permit, seasonal work permit, or the declaration on the entrustment of the performance of work,
• The work agreement, if available,
• Medical insurance, if not provided by the employer,
• Proof of financial means to support the applicant’s stay in Poland (75 PLN/day and minimum PLN 300,
• Criminal Record.

Please check the page on the official website of the Republic of Poland for more information.

Self-employed/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, can apply for Schengen Visa for Business. The business visa permits the holder of the visa to do business in Poland for the time specified on the visa. The requirements for this visa type are:

• Invitation from a company or organization in Poland,
• The National Court Register of the inviting Polish business partner,
  • Or, the Central Register and Information on Economic Activity of the inviting Polish business partner,
• Employer’s cover letter with a travel itinerary,
• Documents proving that the accommodation is covered,
• Proof of financial means,
• Original bank statements with the movements in the last three months,
• Proof of current residency,
• Copies of the previous Polish/Schengen visas,
• Self-Employed/Business:
  • Income tax returns and information,
  • The company’s certificate of registration,
• Employed:
  • Pay slips for the last three months.

NOTE: The specific information provided above are the most commonly asked documents for self-employed or business visas. However, required documentation may differ depending on the consulate you apply for. So, please find the Polish mission in your country and check the documents they demand.

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.

• Documents attesting previous education,
• A document confirming the granting of a national or foreign scholarship, if applicable,
• A certificate of employment with a monthly salary statement, if applicable,
• If the applicant is financially dependent:
  • Letter of sponsorship from the applicant’s parents, guardian, or a third party,
  • Documents confirming the financial ability of the sponsor,
  • Documents confirming the relationship with the sponsor.
• If the applicant is a minor:
  • Birth certificate,
  • Proof of legal guardianship, if applicable,
  • Copies of ID documents of parents or guardians,
  • Notarized certificate of permission to travel from the parents or guardians if they do not accompany the applicant,
  • Death certificate, if one of the parents or guardians is dead,
  • Court verdict in case the parents are divorced.

NOTE: The specific information provided above are the most commonly asked documents for student visas. However, required documentation may differ depending on the consulate you apply for. So, please find the Polish mission in your country and check the documents they demand.

Humanitarian Visa (D21)

Individuals who seek international protection or humanitarian assistance can apply for this visa and start to live in Poland. This visa is issued free of charge for a maximum period of 1 year. As of December 1^st, 2020, the holders of this visa can work in Poland without a work permit. The main requirements are rather similar to the regular Polish national visa so that asylum seekers can easily apply:

• A completed and signed application form,
• Four (4) recent biometric photographs,
• A valid passport, issued within the past 10 years and having two blank pages, and its validity period expires no earlier than 3 months after the expiry of the visa,
• Medical insurance valid for the period for which you would like to obtain a visa,
• A written declaration regarding the willingness to obtain a visa to Poland.

Visit the page of the Department of Foreigners for more information.

Visa for Researchers

Researchers can travel to Poland with a Type C visa for short-term studies. However, for longer terms, researchers must apply for a temporary residence permit if their research in Poland will take longer than three months. This permit requires the following documents:

• A contract on the admission of a scientist for the purpose of conducting scientific research or development works concluded with a scientific unit based in Poland,
• A written statement of the scientific unit in which it undertakes costs related to your  return,
• Proof of health insurance,
• Documents confirming sufficient financial means,
• A statement on the cost of living.

Family Reunification Visa

Travellers who wish to visit Poland for family reunification should apply for a Polish National visa for Dependents. In addition to the regular documentation, this visa requires a temporary residence permit issued by Voivodeship Office for family reunification purpose.

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 by a third party, most often the parents of the applicant.

Poland Visa Rules

When applying for a Poland visa, you must make sure that you follow the established rules for a seamless visa process. First of all, you should remember that the general requirements of a visa depend on your nationality – citizens of some countries might enjoy a facilitated visa process, while others might need to provide even further documentation.

When applying for a Poland visa, you must provide a valid reason for your visit. This reason might be tourism, business, study, or family visits. In some cases, seeking asylum might also be a valid reason.

Poland Visa Requirements for Non-Europeans

Citizens of non-EU countries might need to apply for a Polish visa to enter the country, depending on the passport they hold. The specific visa requirements depend on your nationality, and you should contact the nearest Polish mission for more information.

Poland Visa for European Countries

Citizens of the EU and the EEA can visit and temporarily reside in Poland without any visa.

Poland Visa requirement for US, UK, and Canadian Citizens

The nationals of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada are not required to obtain a visa to enter the Schengen Zone for stays less 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 Poland visa fees.