Before applying for a Poland visa, it’s important to know which one fits your travel plans:
Airport Transit Schengen Visa (A-Type)
Choose this visa if you’re passing through a Schengen airport transit area and you are a citizen of these countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.
Schengen Visa (C-Type)
Choose this visa type for stays up to 90 days in Poland or other Schengen countries within 180 days. You can use a special calculator on the European Commission’s website to track your stay duration.
You can apply for a Schengen visa in a Polish diplomatic mission under specific conditions:
- Poland is your sole destination in the Schengen zone.
- Poland is your main destination, even if you’re visiting multiple Schengen countries.
- If you enter the Schengen zone for the first time in Poland and don’t know your main destination.
In rare cases, a Schengen LTV visa is issued for selected Schengen states’ territories.
National Visa (D-Type)
Select this visa if you intend to stay in Poland for more than 90 days. This visa is also necessary for asylum seekers, repatriates, or those utilizing Polish Card privileges
Visa Process for EU Citizen’s Family in Poland
This process makes visa applications easy for family members of EU citizens living in Poland who are not Polish citizens or permanent residents. Eligible individuals include spouses, children, and parents of EU citizens.
Who Can Apply for Simple Visa Procedure for EU Citizens’ Family in Poland
This visa is only for family members of EU citizens who aren’t Polish citizens or permanent residents.
Eligible EU Nationals
Citizens of EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, are eligible
Definition of Family Member
Family members of EU citizens include spouses, children up to 21 years old or dependent, and dependent parents.
How to Apply for a Visa
You can apply for a visa under this process without any fees and without needing an appointment.
Necessary Documents
- Required documents include a printed and signed online visa application
- Recent color photo size 35 x 45 mm
- Valid passport
- Proof of marriage or partnership with an EU national
- Evidence of accompanying or joining the EU national
Visa Refusal
If your visa is refused by a consul, you can appeal the decision to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Important Notice for WUF11 Attendees
Katowice is set to host the 11th World Urban Forum (WUF) from June 26th to June 30th, 2022.
This prestigious international conference, organized by UN-Habitat, focuses on urban growth and human settlements. The theme for WUF11 is “Transforming our Cities for a Better Urban Future.” It marks the first time that WUF will be held in Central Europe.
Expecting thousands of attendees, WUF11 is co-organized by Poland’s Ministry of Development Funds and Regional Policy and the Municipal Office of Katowice.
All necessary details regarding visa procedures for participants are available on the WUF11 website under practical information.
Biometric Data Requirements for Visa Applications
When applying for a visa, biometric data such as photos and fingerprints may be required. However, certain individuals may be exempt from providing fingerprints based on specific criteria.
Biometric Data Requirement
Visa applicants typically need to provide biometric data, including a photo for national visas and both a photo and fingerprints for Schengen visas.
Exemption from Providing Fingerprints
Certain individuals do not need to provide fingerprints, including children under 12, those physically unable to provide fingerprints due to reasons such as injury, and high-ranking officials or dignitaries invited for official purposes.
Automated Data Transfer
If you’ve applied for a Schengen visa in the last 59 months and already provided fingerprints, you won’t need to do so again as the system will automatically transfer your data.
Handling of Personal Data
The entity in charge of processing personal data stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) is the Central Technical Authority of the National Information System at the National Police Headquarters, located at ul. Puławska 148/150, 02-624 Warszawa.
Complaints related to the protection of personal data are addressed by the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection, situated at ul. Stawki 2, 00-193 Warszawa.
Criteria for Visa Application Acceptance
In a bid to ensure the acceptance of a visa application, specific criteria must be met regarding documentation, fees, biometric data, and travel document validity. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee entry; travelers must still fulfill entry conditions at the border.
To be considered admissible, applicants must submit a filled and signed application form downloaded from the e-konsulat system, along with a valid travel document and a photograph meeting Council Regulation (WE)1683/95 standards.
The visa fee must be paid for the application to be considered admissible.
When applicable, biometric data must be collected as part of the application process.
The travel document must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended departure date for a single-entry visa, or 3 months after the last intended departure for a multiple-entry visa. Additionally, the document should have been issued within the last 10 years.
The travel document must have at least 2 blank pages for visa issuance.
Supporting documents must be attached to the visa application according to the specified requirements.
Note: The stamp indicating admissibility under Article 20 of the Schengen Visa Code holds no legal implications.
Entry Conditions
Possession of a visa does not automatically grant entry; visa holders must demonstrate compliance with entry conditions outlined in Article 5 of the Schengen Borders Code at the external border.
Refunding Student Fees in Case of Visa Refusal for Academic Purposes
The regulations concerning fees for educational services provided by public universities are governed by the Higher Education and Science Act of 20 July 2018. For non-public universities, fee policies are determined by their internal regulations.
Students with contractual agreements with universities must state admission processes, course requirements, fee structures, and refund policies. Prospective students should carefully review these agreements, especially regarding fee refunds.
Refund matters are handled directly between students and universities.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland, Polish Embassies, and Consulates do not intervene in disputes between students and universities. They lack legal authority to facilitate refunds for students denied a visa.
In cases where universities fail to uphold contract terms, particularly regarding fee refunds, students may pursue claims through civil law channels.