Poland C-type Schengen Visa

Where to apply?

You can apply directly at the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abuja:

Address: 10, River Niger St., off Danube St., Maitama, Abuja, Nigeria

Tel.: +234 805 200 0204

E-mail: abuja.consulate@msz.gov.pl

Additionally, nationals and legal residents of Ghana can apply for short-stay Schengen visas to Poland at the Netherlands Embassy in Accra, which represents Poland in Ghana. To apply, please visit www.vfsglobal.com and follow the procedure outlined there.

Do I have to apply in person?

Yes, you must apply for the visa in person. The visa application form cannot be submitted via fax, regular mail, or email.

How to book an appointment

To book an appointment for a visa application, follow these steps:

Visit the e-Konsulat website: https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/.
Select the appropriate category, which is “Schengen Visa – Register Form”.
Dates for appointments are released in the system on the last Monday of each month at 9:30 am local time. If this falls on a holiday, slots will be available on the next working day at the same time.
Keep in mind that the availability of new slots is subject to general limits per day.
Register your visa application carefully, ensuring it matches the selected type of visa and registration section. Making significant changes after registration can lead to rejection.
Note that the Consular Section of the Polish Embassy in Abuja does not collaborate with agents or commercial visa agencies. They cannot secure visa appointments. The only cost involved is the visa fee charged by the Consulate.
Ensure all personal details on the application form are correct, including those related to your valid passport, residential address (including house number, street name, city/town, province, and zip code), and personal contact details (such as email address and phone number).
The earliest you can apply is 6 months before your intended travel date, and you should apply no later than 15 days in advance.

What documents do I need to submit?

Here is the general list of documents you need to submit:

Completed visa application form filled out via the e-konsulat system, printed and signed.
A color photo measuring 3.5 x 4.5 cm, taken against a white background, showing the face clearly, without any headwear, and taken within the last 6 months.
Passports issued within the last ten years, valid for at least three months from the expected return date, with at least two blank pages for visas. Attach a copy of the passport page with personal data and a photo.
Copy of flight ticket or flight reservation, including the return flight.
Adequate and valid travel medical insurance covering expenses during your stay in the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.
Copy of an ID document to confirm residence within the consular district of your application.
Proof of sufficient means of subsistence, which can include a valid bank account statement, credit card with a certificate of means available, income certificate from your employer, pension slips, or regular income generated by property.
Proof of accommodation, such as an official invitation, hotel booking, or reservation.
Document confirming the purpose and conditions of your planned stay in Poland.
For minors, additional documents are required:
Written consent of the child’s parent(s) to apply for a visa, confirmed by a notary. If there is only one guardian, provide proof through 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 the child’s birth certificate.
If a child is entered in their parent’s or legal guardian’s passport, submit a separate visa application, and the visa will be pasted into the parent’s or legal guardian’s passport.

Detailed list of supporting documents required for Poland visa applicants depending on the purpose of travel:

Poland Tourism Visa – additional documents:

Hotel reservation or proof of other accommodation.
For those staying with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens, a registered invitation with appropriate Polish authorities (Urząd Wojewódzki) is needed.
Documents showing sufficient means of subsistence during the stay, such as:
Introduction letter from employer with consent for travel.
Salary slips.
Proof of business ownership.
Personal/business bank account statements.
Proof of income generated by property.
Letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
Proof of employment:
Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) and Certificate of Business Incorporation paper for businesspersons.
Employment letter stating leave days for employees.
For scholars and students, a letter from the school or university.
Proof of commercial activities in Nigeria and overseas for businesspersons (e.g., bills of lading, receipt book).
Any proof of ties in Nigeria (marriage certificate, proof of real estate property).

Family Visit Visa – additional documents:

Copy of written and signed invitation from the inviting person, stating visit conditions (period of stay, which covers expenses, etc.).
Hotel reservation or proof of other accommodation.
For family visits, a marriage certificate. Local marriage certificates should be registered in Poland.
For friend visits, proof of the friendly relationship between the applicant and the person to be visited (correspondence, photos, etc.).
Photocopy of the inviting person’s Polish/EU passport/national ID (if applicable), and if the inviting person is not a Polish/EU citizen, photocopy of their visa or residence permit in Poland/EU.
Documents regarding the applicant’s sufficient means of subsistence during the intended stay, such as:
Introduction letter from employer with consent for travel.
Salary slips.
Proof of business ownership.
Personal/business bank account statements.
Proof of income generated by property.
Letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
Documents regarding the applicant’s family situation (marriage/birth certificates).

Poland Business Visit Visa – additional documents:

Copy of written and signed invitation from the inviting person or institution, stating the purpose and conditions of the visit (period of stay, which covers expenses, etc.).
Hotel reservation or proof of other accommodation; for those staying with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens, a registered invitation with appropriate Polish authorities (Urzad Wojewódzki) is required.
Tax clearance certificate and certificate of business incorporation of the institution delegating the applicant for the visit.
Copy of tax clearance certificate and certificate of business incorporation of the Polish business institution inviting the applicant for the visit.
Proof of commercial activities in the country of residence, and recent business contacts with the inviting company (contracts, bills, commercial correspondence, etc.).
Proof of previous business dealings with other Polish/Schengen institutions.
For business conferences, fairs, seminars, congresses, etc. – invitation; proof of registration and payment of fees; other documents proving the existence of trade or work relations.
Documents regarding the applicant’s sufficient means of subsistence during the intended stay, such as:
Introduction letter from employer with employer’s consent for travel.
Salary slips.
Proof of business ownership.
Personal/business bank account statements.
Proof of income generated by property.
Letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
Documents regarding the applicant’s family situation (marriage/birth certificates).

Medical treatment – additional documents:

Certificate from the applicant’s physician or a hospital in the country of residence, confirming the need for specific medical treatment to be provided in the country of destination.
Copy of written, official confirmation from the receiving medical institution that it can perform the specific medical treatment and that the patient will be accepted accordingly.
Proof of prepayment of the treatment or other proof of sufficient financial means to cover the medical treatment and related expenses, such as additional insurance coverage.
Any other correspondence between the sending and receiving sides, if available.
Hotel reservation or proof of another accommodation. For those planning to stay with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens, a registered invitation with appropriate Polish authorities (Urząd Wojewódzki) is required.
Documents regarding the applicant’s sufficient means of subsistence during the intended stay, such as:
Introduction letter from employer with employer’s consent for travel.
Salary slips.
Proof of business ownership.
Personal/business bank account statements.
Proof of income generated by property.
Letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
Documents regarding the applicant’s family situation (marriage/birth certificates).

Research and training – additional documents:

Certificate of enrollment at an educational establishment to study, undertake scientific or practical training, or other activities to enhance professional and intellectual skills.
Student cards or certificates related to the courses to be attended.
Proof of prepayment of courses or training activities, if applicable.

Official mission or official purposes – additional documents:

A verbal note issued by the Nigerian Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirming the applicant’s membership in an official delegation or official mission to a Member State.
Invitation letter or confirmation of registration from the host organization.
Scientific purposes, Cultural, Sports or Religious Events, or Other reasons – additional documents:
Copy of the official invitation.
Invitations, entry tickets, enrollments, or programs state (wherever possible) the name of the host organization, the length of stay, or other documents proving the purpose of the journey.

Additional Notes:

Visa applications must be made at a consular office or the embassy’s consular department in the consular district of the applicant’s place of residence.
While the listed documents are usually sufficient for a visa, the consul may request additional documents.
Apply for a visa no earlier than six months before the planned journey.
The consul may, at their discretion, invite the applicant for an interview.
Entry to the Schengen area is not guaranteed even with a visa; final entry decisions rest with border authorities.
Applicants must present two sets of documents for a visa application: one original set and one set of photocopies. All documents should be arranged according to the checklist of visa requirements available on the Embassy’s website.
Documents for photocopies should be on A4 size paper.
Each applicant in family or group applications must have the same set of documents arranged according to the checklist on the website.

How much does it cost?

The visa fee is 80 euros, payable at the office counter when applying. Only cash payments are accepted. The visa application fee is non-refundable, regardless of the consul’s decision.

Visa Fee Exemptions:

Children under 6 years of age.
Foreigners who are spouses of Polish nationals.
Foreigners who are spouses of EU citizens.
School pupils, students, postgraduate students, and accompanying teachers undertake trips for study or educational training purposes.
Researchers from third countries travel for scientific research purposes.
Representatives of non-profit organizations aged 25 years or younger participating in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural, or educational events organized by non-profit organizations.

What is the waiting time?

The waiting time for the visa decision is typically within 15 calendar days. However, in exceptional cases, the decision-making period can be extended up to 30 or 60 days. Certain citizens or categories of travelers may experience extended processing times due to the need for visa consultations.

The current list of third countries whose nationals and categories of travelers are subject to visa consultations can be found on the website of the European Commission.

How to collect the documents

To collect your documents, you or a duly authorized person must do so personally between 13:30 and 14:30 on the date indicated by the consular officer upon submitting your visa application. If the designated collection date falls on a holiday, the documents will be available on the next working day at the same time.

Please note:

Applicants are informed of the passport collection date on the issued receipt during the visa application process. It’s essential to retain this receipt as proof of entry to the Embassy and for easy reference on the collection date.
If you authorize a representative to collect the passport and visa decision on your behalf, the Embassy requires a signed and handwritten authorization letter from you, along with the receipt and government-issued IDs of both you and the representative (on A4 size paper).
The Embassy does not dispatch documents via courier.

How to appeal for Poland Visa Refusal

If you disagree with the consul’s decision, you have the right to request a reconsideration of your visa application. To do so:

Visit the office that issued the decision within 14 days of receiving it.
Present yourself or a duly authorized representative during reception hours (Monday – Friday from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm) without an appointment.
Bring the necessary documents, pay the 80 euro application fee, and present your case.
Please note that appeals cannot be completed by mail or by sending documents through DHL.
If 14 days have already passed, you’ll need to schedule a new appointment online.

If your Schengen visa has been revoked or annulled, you have the right to request reconsideration within 14 days of receiving the decision. However, if you initiated the revocation yourself and the consul agreed, you cannot appeal.

If you disagree with the new decision made after reconsideration, you can submit a complaint to the Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw. The complaint must be sent through the consul who decides within 30 days of receiving the decision resulting from the reconsideration.

Please note that while there’s no consular fee for submitting a complaint to the consul, fees for administrative court proceedings apply. Therefore, the court will require you to pay the court fee. More information on court fees, exemptions, and language of the procedure is available on the court’s website.