Academy of Tourism and Hotel Management in Warsaw

VISA Documents

1. Visa application step by step

To apply for a visa in the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland:

I. Read the information below.

II. Register at the website http://www.e-konsulat.gov.pl/ and schedule an appointment in the Consular Section.

III. Fill in the application form online and print it out together with appointment confirmation page. Tourists travelling in organized groups should register their applications on line but they are not required to place the application in person.

IV. Make sure you have all the necessary documents.

V. Submit the application IN PERSON on the appointment date at 10.00 a.m. A short interview may be conducted the same day or within 14 days by the Consul.

VI. The usual processing time is about 2 weeks, but may be shorter (especially in case of business visas).

VII. Collect your passport every day at the Consular Section.
 
2. Do I need a visa to enter Poland? Where should I apply?

http://bazateleadresowa.poland.gov.pl/?document=21
 
3. What kind of visa do I need?

Embassy of the Republic of Poland issues two types of visa:
Schengen visa

  • "C" visa which is for a stay of up to 90 days per six months in Schengen area,
  • "A" visa which is for transit through transit area of airports located in Schengen territory.
  • National "D" visa
  • long term visa for a stay of over 90 and up to 365 days in Poland. Please note that the national visa allows to stay in other Schengen countries for up to 90 days per six months.


4. The purpose of the trip

The purpose of the trip does not indicate the type of the visa. The Polish national visa is usually good for those travelling to undertake studies and employment and also those who want to spend more than three months with their families and friends.
The Schengen visa is good for business visits, tourism, short private visits, participation in conferences, cultural and sports events. It can be issued either as single, double or multiple entry visa depending on the purpose of the trip.

Examples of the purpose of the trip:

  • business,
  • tourism,
  • visiting family and friends,
  • political, scientific, cultural, sports or religious events,
  • studies,
  • employment,
  • other.

5. What documents should I submit?

All applicants should submit:

  • The application form with 1 photograph attached;
  • Original passport with copies of the first/last/observation/correction pages;
  • Documents confirming the purpose of the visit (depending on the purpose of the trip);
  • Confirmed travel ticket booking - both ways;
  • Medical travel insurance (minimum coverage 30,000 Euro) for the whole period of stay and valid in all Schengen states. Exceptions:

- In case of applications for the multiple entry visa, the insurance should cover the period of the first intended stay and the Declaration on Travel & Health Insurance should be attached;

- In case of employment visas, the insurance should cover first three (3) months of the intended stay.

  • Proof of financial means (depending on the purpose of the trip).

In addition the applicants should submit the following documents depending on the purpose of the trip:

Student:

  • acceptance letter from university or college and the receipt of payment;
  • proof of financial means of the sponsor: current bank statement, latest income tax papers, copies of FDs/loan, financial affidavit or the proof of scholarship;
  • copies of educational certificates (Indian - attested with Appostille Stickers, other - certified by the relevant Ministry of External Affairs) and bio-data.

Spouses of the citizens of Poland:

  • the official invitation "Zaproszenie" from a member of the family in Poland (confirmed by the Polish authority - Urząd Wojewódzki);
  • copy of the Polish marriage certificate (original to be shown);
  • copies of the passport and the visa of the spouse (Polish citizen) if the marriage was not contracted in Poland;
  • confirmation of the invitation written by the spouse in Polish language.


6. What is the visa processing fee?

The visa processing fee for all types of visas is 60 EURO - subject to exchange rate, paid in cash at the time of the submission of application in the Consular Section. The fee is not refundable.

7. Do I need to submit the application in person?

From 1st June 2011 visa applications should be submitted by the applicant IN PERSON.

Exception:

  • The Consular Section accepts the applications submitted by an authorized person if the authorization letter is attached in case of:
  • business visa
  • applications of persons who have travelled to Schengen area in the last 2 years.
  • tourist travelling in organized groups

The Consular Section does not accept applications sent by post or courier.

8. How can I appeal against the visa decision?

Starting from the 5th of April 2011, every applicant has the right to file an application for review of consul's decision to refuse/annul/revoke the visa within 7 DAYS from collecting the decision. The applications should be submitted at the Consular Section at 12:00. 

9. Consulate information

Candidates, who wants to study in Poland are asked to check the information on the Republic of Poland's Embassy website:

http://bazateleadresowa.poland.gov.pl/?document=21

10. Log in to e-consulate

https://secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl/Default.aspx

11. E-consulate STEP BY STEP

Contact with consulate to determine required documents

For your application to be accepted, it may be necessary to submit travel documents, biometric photos or other documents individually specified by the consul. In this connection, before filling in the appointment form, we suggest you make direct contact with the consular office where you intend to submit your application, to determine what additional documents will be required in your case. Please also note the position “Files for downloading” in the Visit menu, which contains selected application specimens and information of filling them in.

Note: the consul or other competent employee of the consular office may always decide, when you submit your application, that additional documents are required.

Making your appointment

Select a convenient date for submitting your application and additional documents.

Note: failure to fill in the application within one hour of choosing the appointment date will result in annulment of the application.

Filling in and printing your application

Please fill in and print out your application.

Submitting your application

Please submit your printed application and additional documents on your appointment date, at the relevant consular post.

RESIDENCE PERMIT

Required documents

If you apply for the residence permit for the specified period of time for the purposes of education, studies or participation in a vocational training in Poland, you have to submit the required documents. The list of such documents depends on the type of education and the studies.

Documents required for submission by all foreign students include:
4 completed application forms;
4 current color photographs;

  • Valid travel document for review (and 2 copies of the entire document);
  • Confirmation of temporary registration;
  • Legal title to the premises (e.g. Lease agreement, certificate issued by a dorm containing details on fees, confirmation of university including information on accommodation in a dorm with specification of fees);
  • Document confirming valid health insurance (covering the costs of medical treatment, not only accidents)
  • Receipt confirming payment of the required fee for issuing the residence permit into the account specified by the Province Office examining the application.

Above that, the foreigners who apply for the residence permit based on full-time studies in Poland must present:

  • Confirmation of enrolment to the university or continuation of studies issued by the university (compliant with the current template);
  • Confirmation of payment of the study fee if required (students who study on the basis of government scholarships must submit such confirmation from the university);
  • Document confirming sufficient financial means for covering costs of living and return as well as costs of studies (if required)


Where and when submit the applications?

The application for the residence permit for the specified period of time must be submitted to the Province Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) competent for the student’s place of residence in Poland.

It is important that you submit the residence permit for the specified period of time within the set deadline, i.e. at the latest 45 days prior to expiry of your visa or a previous residence permit for the specified period of time. If you fail to adhere to this deadline you might be obliged to leave the territory of the Republic of Poland and discontinue your studies.