As entering the territory of Poland an individual should hold:

-        a passport or another valid travel document (EU citizens can hold any other identification document),

-        a valid visa if required,

-        in a case of transiting through Poland to another country a permit to enter the territory of that country or a permit to stay within it if it is required.

 

During the border control a foreigner may be asked to specify a purpose and conditions of staying in Poland. Besides travel documents and a visa he/she should hold:

-        a document to certify valid health insurance issued for a period of staying in Poland – in case of entering Poland on the basis of a national residence visa,

-        financial resources sufficient to cover travel expenses necessary to return to the country of origin (see Minimal amounts of financial means to stay and to return),

 

This requirement does not apply to these foreigners who enter the territory of Poland on the basis of:

-        an international agreement that releases a foreigner from an obligation to possess such resources or that states that Polish authorities are obliged to cover the costs of a foreigner's stay in Poland, or

-        a visa for repatriation, or

-        a visa for the purpose of performing work activities, or

-        a visa for the purpose of enjoying temporary protection, or

-        a visa for the purpose of taking part in proceedings of granting asylum, or

-        a residence card, or

-        a visa for the purpose of realizing an individual's rights based on a Card of the Pole.

 

This obligation does not apply to individuals who enter the territory of Poland for the purpose of conducting charity activities or participating in rescue actions.

 

A document that confirms a possibility to support oneself while staying in Poland may also be an invitation (see Invitation).

 

 

A document that confirms a possibility to support oneself while staying in Poland may also be an invitation.

 

Such an invitation may be issued by:

·         a Polish citizen residing within the territory of Poland,

·         a citizen of the EU member country residing permanently in Poland,

·         a foreigner residing legally and continuously within the territory of Poland for at least 5 years or possessing of a permit to settle or a long-term residents' EC residence permit,

·         a legal person or an organizational unit (that does not have a status of a legal person) that has its seat located within the territory of Poland. It can be for example a company or a non-governmental organization.

 

An invitation should contain such information as:

Ø the data of the host: name, surname, date and place of birth, citizenship, address, occupation, type, series and number of the identification document or the name of a company/organization, the REGON number and address of the seat,

Ø the data of an invited foreigner: names, surname, date and place of birth, sex, citizenship, address, series and number of the passport and a degree of a foreigner's relationship with the host,

Ø if a foreigner's family members are also invited – their names, surname, date and place of birth and sex,

Ø an obligation made by the host to cover all expenses connected with stay and departure of a foreigner invited, including the costs of possible medical treatment or expulsion from the territory of the Republic of Poland,

Ø the length of a period that a foreigner is invited for,

Ø the name of authority that entered the invitation into the invitation records (it is usually done by a voivodship office (department for foreigners); documents are to be submitted either in an office or in a branch department),

Ø the date and evidence number of entering the invitation to the invitation records,

Ø the host's signature.

 

Entering the invitation into invitation records is charged a fiscal fee that is equal 27 zlotys.

 

 

These amounts are different and depend on a length and a purpose of stay.

If a foreigner is entering the territory of Poland for a period not longer than 3 days he/she should hold the amount of 300 zlotys (or the equivalent in foreign currency) to cover the costs of accommodation, nourishment, transit and return to the country of origin.

If a foreigner is planning to stay for longer than 3 days he/she should hold an amount of 100 zlotys per each day of stay (or the equivalent in foreign currency).

 

Documents certifying possession of such resources can be:

·         a traveler's cheque,

·         a credit card that can be used in Poland together with a certificate indicating a limit amount,

·         a payment card that can be used in Poland together with a certificate indicating the amount available or an excerpt from the account,

·         certificate confirming deposit at a bank or a cooperative savings and loans institution seated on the territory of Poland, confirmed with a seal and a signature of an authorized officer of this bank or institution, issued not later than a month prior to crossing the border by a given foreigner,

·         an original invitation (see Invitation),

·         a document confirming granting of a scholarship – in a case of foreigners entering the territory of Poland for the purpose of continuing studies, conducting scientific research or participating in trainings.

 

A foreigner who enters the territory of Poland to begin or to continue studies, conduct a scientific research or participate in trainings should hold an amount of 1 600 zlotys (or the equivalent in foreign currency) to cover the costs of accommodation and nourishment for the period of two months of staying in Poland.

 

Documents to certify possessing of such resources can be:

·         a traveler's cheque,

·         a credit card that can be used in Poland together with a certificate indicating a limit amount,

·         a payment card that can be used in Poland together with a certificate indicating the amount available or an excerpt from the account,

·         an invitation (see Invitation),

·         a document certifying granting of a scholarship.

 

A document that can confirm a purpose of stay in a case of foreigners who begin or continue their studies in Poland, conduct scientific research or participate in trainings is a certificate of admission to studies, participation in scientific research or a training. If such a certificate states that a foreigner who is to undertake the above activities is obliged to pay for that what is also required is a payment slip that proves the payment for the first year of studying (or the whole period if it's shorter than a year) or a confirmation of possessing of sufficient means to be able to pay an amount defined in the certificate.

 

A foreigner entering the territory of Poland who:

Ø participates in a tourist trip, a youth camp or sport competition,

Ø has the costs of staying in Poland paid for,

Ø comes to be placed in a sanatorium clinic,

Ø is a participant of a program that allows summer work on the territory of Poland (that is not the main purpose of stay and is regulated by international agreements Poland is a party to)

should hold an amount of at least 20 zlotys per each day of a planned stay but not less than 100 zlotys or the equivalent in foreign currency.

 

Documents that can confirm the above listed purposes are:

·         a certificate of participation in a tourist trip, a youth camp or sport competition,

·         a payment slip confirming the payment for the costs of the stay in Poland (covering the costs of accommodation and nourishment),

·         a referral to be placed in a sanatorium clinic,

·         a visa issued for a purpose of participating in cultural or educational exchange program, a charity program or a program of summer work for students that includes the name of such a program in the section “remarks”.

 

 

Residents of border regions can cross the Polish border without any visa even it is is required (that applies to citizens of the Russian Federation, Belarus and Ukraine who live in border regions). In that case though they have to possess a permission. In order to get a permission to cross the border within little cross-border movement an individual should submit a request to the Polish consulate. A request should be submitted with the following attachments:

-        a photography,

-        a document certifying permanent residence in the border region,

-        documents certifying reasons for a need of often crossing of the border.

 

It is allowed to stay on the territory of Poland only within the frames of conditions defined in a permission – which means an indicated period of time and a certain border region.

 

 

 

The below listed foreigners are released from an obligation to possess a visa in order to enter the territory of Poland:

·         citizens of the EU countries as well as citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – they have a right to free, visa-less transfer of people within the EU and the European Economic Area,

·         for the period of 90 days citizens of the following countries: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentine, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong-Kong, Israel, Japan, Canada, South Korea, Costarica, Macao, Malaysia, Mauritius, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Salvador, Saint Kitts and Nevis, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Uruguay, the United States of America, Vatican, Venezuela. It has to be remembered that this not apply to permanent residence for the purpose of working or other activities aimed to derive financial benefits. In such cases an individual should apply for a visa.

 

 

Members of crews of sea ships arriving to Polish seaports, who stay within the borders of a port city, can be released from an obligation to possess a visa. They are however obliged to possess a laissez-passer issued by the Commanding Officer of the Border Guard. Such a laissez-passer is issued due to an application submitted by the ship-owner, the captain of the ship or an appointed agent acting in his name. Such a laissez-passer is valid for 15 days and can be extended to subsequent 15 days.

 

Also members of crews of flying ships are usually released from a visa obligation under a condition of a relevant remark being made in a general declaration and a commission for a particular flight.

 

Other foreigners are obliged to have a valid visa in order to be able to enter the territory of Poland. A request to issue a visa is submitted to the Polish consul. In specific cases (i.e. visas for sea ship crew members) a visa can be issued by the Commanding Officer of the Border Guard. It refers only to uniform residence visa (see below).

 

There are three types of visas:

·         a uniform residence visa (so called a Schengen visa) – it allows for as many entries to the territory of Poland as an individual likes with a condition that a length of one stay or summed lengths of individual stays on the territory of the Schengen area do not exceed 3 months in a subsequent 6-month period (beginning from the day of the first entry). The symbol of such is “C”.

·         a uniform transit visa –it allows for a transit through the territory of Poland or another Schengen country to a country located outside the Schengen area. Transit should not exceed 5 days. The symbol of such a visa is “A”.

·         a national residence visa – it allows for an entry and stay on the territory of Poland or for a few stays one after another. It is for foreigners who are planning to stay in Poland for longer than 3 months. The length of stay (or lengths of few stays summed) cannot exceed 1 year within the period of validity of a visa. If a foreigner is wishing to stay for longer he/she is obliged to apply for another visa. The symbol of such a visa is “D”.

 

Maximal length of validity of a uniform residence visa or a national residence visa is 5 years.

 

A visa can only be issued if a foreigner possesses a travel document that is valid for at least 3 months longer than the day of leaving Poland or – in a case of a uniform visa – the territory of the Schengen area.

 

Residence visas can be issued for the purpose of: tourism, visit, participation in sport events, performing economic activities, conducting cultural acts or participating in international conferences, performing statutory functions, work, studies or other scientific purposes, enjoying temporary protection, humanitarian activities, fulfilling state's interest or international agreements, joining an EU or EFTA citizen or staying with a such, participation in a cultural or educational exchange program, humanitarian program or a program of work for students.

 

Only a national residence visa can be issued for the purpose of participation in asylum or repatriation proceedings, making use of rights defined in a Card of the Pole or realization of a residence permit for a fixed period/a permit to settle/a long-term residents' EC residence permit.

 

 

In order to obtain a visa to be able to enter Poland legally there should be a request submitted to the Polish consul. A relevant form can be found at:

 http://www.msz.gov.pl/Polski,wniosek,wizowy,1805.html.

 

This form should be filled in and enclosed with:

-        two photographs of each individual an application refers to (sized 4,5 x 3,5 cm),

-        a document that confirms circumstances presented in an application (for example those referring to the purpose of travel),

-        in a case of applying for a residence visa – a document confirming possessing of insurance to cover possible costs of medical treatment on territory of the Schengen area in the amount of at least 30000 Euro,

-        in a case of applying for a national residence visa – a document that confirms health insurance or insurance to cover possible costs of medical treatment in Poland for a period of planned stay in Poland.

 

If a foreigner wants to have a visa for the purpose of performing work he/she has to present a work permit or a written statement of an employer that says that he/she is planning to hire a foreigner if a permit is not required (see chapter “Work”).

 

 

A consul has a right to refuse issuing a visa to a foreigner in the following circumstances:

·         if a foreigner's data is registered in records of foreigners whose stay in Poland is undesirable,

·         in cases of requests to issue a uniform visa if a foreigner:

- does not possess a valid travel document or other document that allows a foreigner to cross borders of the Schengen area,

- is not able to define a purpose and conditions of a planned stay or does not possess sufficient financial resources for a period of stay and to return to the country of origin or transit to another country or is he/she does not have any possibility to gain such resources legally,

- is a person whose data is registered in records of foreigners whose stay in the Schengen area is undesirable,

·         in a case of requesting for issuing a national residence visa if:

- a foreigner does not have sufficient financial resources to support him/herself for the period of stay in Poland,

- if a foreigner does not have health insurance or insurance to cover possible costs of medical treatment on the territory of Poland for the period of planned stay,

- there is a threat that issuing a visa could cause a danger to the state's defensive capability, safety or public order or if it is contrary to the interests of Poland,

-his/her travel document (passport) is valid for a period shorter than 3 months before a validity of a requested visa,

- there is any false information stated in an application or enclosed documents,

- a foreigner gave false statements or concealed important information about him/herself or if he/she has not justified a purpose or conditions of a planned stay.

 

A decision made by a consul to refuse a visa is final.

 

 

A residence visa or a national residence visa can be extended if:

-        there is an important occupational or personal interest of a foreigner or humanitarian regards,

-        circumstances that are the reason for which a foreigner is requesting for extension are regardless of a foreigner's will and they were not possible to predict,

-        circumstances of a case do not show that a purpose of stay will be different than declared,

-        there are no premises to refuse issuing a visa (see a decision to refuse a visa).

 

If a foreigner is staying in a hospital and due to his/her health condition cannot be transported to another country a visa can be extended to a day in which his/her health condition allows for leaving Poland,

 

A request to extend a visa can be submitted at least 7 days before the expiration of a period indicated in a uniform visa or 14 days in a case of a national residence visa. In order to extend a visa a request should be submitted together with documents presented in the section an application for a visa). A decision is made by the voividship governor. A request should be submitted to a voivodship office – department for foreigners.

 

In order to extend a visa a fee has to be paid depending on a type of visa – 205 zlotys to extend a short-term residence visa and 406 zlotys to extend a long-term visa.

 

 

A visa is annulled if:

-        a foreigner's data is registered in records of foreigners whose stay in Poland is undesirable,

-        a foreigner's entry to the territory of Poland can be a threat to the state's safety and order or is contrary to interests of Poland,

-        a validity of a foreigner's travel document expires sooner than 3 months before the expiration of the possessed visa,

-        a foreigner has presented false information, given false testimony, concealed the truth or enclosed false documents.

 

Besides the above a visa can be annulled if a foreigner did not present sufficient documents that confirm a purpose and conditions of a planned stay in Poland. A decision to annul a visa is made by the Commanding Officer of the Border Guard's Unit. Such a decision can be referred to the Commanding Officer of the Border Guard – www.strazgraniczna.pl .