How to apply for a Poland Schengen Visa

How to apply for a Poland Schengen Visa

Last updated: April 2024

Dreaming of exploring Poland's historic cities and picturesque landscapes? The Poland Schengen Visa is your gateway to an unforgettable European journey!

The Schengen Visa is a unified travel permit for 27 European countries, including Poland, with vibrant cities like Warsaw and Kraków and the breathtaking Tatra Mountains.

This guide will cover everything from document preparation to form submission, making your visa application a breeze.

What is the Poland Schengen Visa?

The Poland Schengen Visa is a travel permit that allows foreign nationals to enter Poland and other countries within the Schengen Area for a short stay.

The Schengen Area operates as a unified zone with no internal border controls, making it easier for travelers to move freely between member countries without additional visas or passport checks at each border.

What can I do with the Polish Schengen Visa?

The Poland Schengen Visa offers the following travel purposes:

• Do tourist activities.

• Visit friends and family.

• Conduct business activities.

• Participate in short studies and traineeships.

• Receive health treatments.

• Attend sports and cultural events.

What can’t I do with the Polish Schengen Visa?

The Poland Schengen Visa doesn’t permit holders to engage in paid work or long-term studies in Poland. For information regarding work visas, please refer to the official website of the Polish government.

Who can apply for the Poland Schengen Visa?

To apply for a Polish Schengen Visa, you must meet specific criteria. These include:

• Purpose of visit: Have an accepted reason for visiting Poland, such as tourism or business.

• Duration of stay: Your intended stay in Poland can’t exceed the maximum allowed period as stated in the visa conditions (more info below).

• Intention to return: You must prove your intention to leave the Schengen area before your visa expires. You can do this by showing ties to your home country, such as work or family obligations.

• Funds to cover your stay: You must prove you can pay for your trip’s expenses using bank statements, proof of employment, or a sponsorship letter.

• Travel insurance: It’s mandatory to have travel medical insurance that covers medical expenses. It must have a minimum coverage of €30,000 and be valid in the entire Schengen Area.

Which nationalities are eligible for the Poland Schengen Visa?

Most foreign visitors coming from outside the Schengen area or the European Union must fulfill all the requirements to get a Polish Schengen Visa. Here is the list of eligible countries:

Who is visa-exempt for Poland?

Residents of European and Schengen countries are not required to have a visa to visit Poland. Additionally, citizens from the following nations can enter Poland and all other Schengen countries without a visa:

• Australia
• Canada
• New Zealand
• United Kingdom
• United States

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive, and other visa-exempt nationalities exist. To determine if you need a Poland Schengen Visa, simply fill in your nationality at the top of this page.

Do children and minors need a Schengen Visa for Poland?

Children or minors holding passports from visa-required countries must obtain a Schengen Visa to visit Poland and other Schengen Zone countries.

Parents or legal guardians must sign the application form. Additional documents, like the child's birth certificate, may be required during the application submission.

How long is the Poland Schengen Visa valid?

With the Poland Schengen Visa, you can spend up to 90 days per entry within 180 days. This allows you to travel freely between any Schengen country as long as your cumulative stay within the Schengen Area does not exceed 90 days.

Polish authorities determine whether you are granted a multiple-entry, double-entry, or single-entry visa based on various factors, including your supporting documents and travel history.

Typically, the duration of a multiple-entry visa ranges from 180 days to 5 years after issued.

Can I extend the Polish Schengen Visa?

In general, Schengen Visas cannot be extended. Only under exceptional circumstances, like emergencies, may an extension be granted.

If you require more time in Poland or the Schengen Zone beyond the duration your visa allows, you must return to your home country and reapply for a new visa.

Poland Schengen Visa required documents

When applying for a Poland Schengen Visa, you’ll need:

• Valid passport: Your passport should remain valid for at least six months after your intended arrival date in Poland and have two blank pages.

• Travel itinerary: Present a confirmed return flight ticket and any hotel reservation(s) or tour confirmations to demonstrate the purpose of your travel.

• Sufficient funds: Show that you have the financial means to cover your trip to Poland and other Schengen countries by providing a bank account statement reflecting your income and financial stability.

• Travel insurance: Get travel medical insurance covering health expenses up to €30,000 for the entire Schengen Zone, ensuring you are prepared for emergencies.

• Two passport photos: Ensure they meet the Polish requirements.

• Visa application form

• Additional documents: Include documents supporting your professional and social status, such as a marriage certificate if applicable, to provide further context for your visa application.

Minimum bank balance for the Poland Schengen Visa

You must present proof of a minimum bank balance to prove you have the financial means to support your trip. The minimum balance depends on your trip situation.

Consider the following criteria:

• For a visa to Poland for short stays up to 4 days, you must show proof of having at least PLN 300, equivalent to around €62, for the entire stay.

• For stays longer than four days, the requirement increases to a minimum of PLN 75 for each day of your visit (about €15 per day).

How to apply for the Poland Schengen Visa with us

The general steps to apply are:

1. Choose the Schengen visa type based on your travel purpose.
2. Fill out the Schengen Visa application form accurately.
3. Collect all necessary documents, including passport, photos, travel itinerary, proof of accommodation, travel insurance, and financial means.
4. Book a visa interview appointment at the embassy/consulate or visa application center.
5. Present your application and documents at the appointment.
6. Pay the visa application fee as per the current rates.
7. Monitor the status of your visa application online or through the embassy/consulate.

You can find more detailed information about the application process on the Polish Government Website.

We currently don't offer this visa, but you can join our waitlist to be notified when we do:

Poland Schengen Visa costs and processing time

The Polish government processes visa applications, which may take up to 45 days or longer, depending on the situation. We strongly advise applying for your Schengen Visa at least two months before your intended travel dates.

The government visa fee is approximately €80 (though it may vary by nationality) and must be paid during your visa appointment. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are eligible for a half-price visa fee, while kids under 6 are exempt from paying any visa fee.

You won’t need to pay a government fee if you are:

• A child or a spouse of an EU citizen or family member of a Polish citizen.

• A student, pupil, or postgraduate student with educational or vocational purposes traveling with teachers.

• A scientist who will carry out research or participate in scientific events.

• Twenty-five or younger and a representative of a non-profit organization wishing to participate in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural, or educational events hosted by non-profit organizations.

Do I need a Poland Schengen Visa if I’m transiting through the country?

You might require a Poland Transit Visa or Airport Transit Schengen Visa if you plan to pass through the Schengen Area to reach your final destination. Whether you need this visa or not can depend on your nationality and other factors.

We recommend contacting your local embassy or airline to determine whether you need a transit visa. The regulations concerning transit visas are subject to change, so it's best to seek up-to-date information from reliable sources.

Differences between the Poland Schengen Visa and ETIAS

The European Travel Information and Authorization System is a forthcoming travel authorization set to be implemented in 2025. Here are the key distinctions between ETIAS and the Schengen Visa:

• ETIAS is not a visa, but a new travel authorization system to enhance European security. Its primary objective is to assess whether visa-free travelers planning to visit the European Union and the Schengen Area pose any potential safety risks to the region.

• Similar to the United States ESTA system, ETIAS applies to travelers who can enjoy visa-free travel and are not required to hold a Schengen Visa.

Where can I learn more about the Poland Schengen Visa?

Our dedicated online team of customer service agents is available via online chat, or you can speak with them via WhatsApp.