Poland Dependent Visa - Definitive Guide

Known officially as a Poland family reunification visa, the permit allows people to enter the country as a family member of a resident in Poland, and stay with them for long durations. Based on the relationship and the status of the resident in Poland, the reunion or dependent visa can be issued for the following cases - 

• Reunion with a Polish spouse
• Reunion with a non-EU spouse in Poland
• Reunion of children with a parent in Poland ( biological or adopted)
• Reunion of children with a dependent adult who has been given parental custody. 

Apart from these cases, there may be different individual cases. Consult a visa agent to find out which category you fall into.

In order to be able to apply for the dependent category, you will have to meet certain eligibility criteria as required by the Polish embassy. These can be stated as follows - 

• You must hold a passport valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country. 
• Your passport must contain at least 2 blank pages, and it must not be older than 10 years. 
• You must already obtain a temporary residence permit from the voivode in Poland.
• In case of a spouse, the marriage must be acknowledged under Polish law.
• The person being joined in Poland must have sufficient accommodation and must be financially stable to support the joining member. 
• In case of a child being the dependent, they must be a minor (below 18). 
• The visa applicant must prove that they are free of any diseases that could endanger the public in Poland, and must not have any criminal convictions. 
• You must possess valid travel insurance.
• You must be able to prove your relationship with the family member in Poland.

These were only the basic requirements. Based on the exact category the applicant falls into, and their individual case, there may be additional requirements to be met.

The application for the dependent visa for Poland from India is done fairly easily. In fact, you can do the application online. Although, the embassy/consulate do demand the applicant’s physical presence while submitting the application. Now before you start the application for the visa, your family member in Poland will have to make an application to the voivode in Poland for a resident permit. Once that is approved, the applicant can proceed to make a visa application. Let’s take a look at how you can apply for the permit - 

1. Obtain all the documents you will require for the visa application process. 
2. Visit the ‘e-Konsulat’ application portal of the Polish Ministry of foreign affairs.
3. Select ‘India’, and the respective diplomatic mission as per the jurisdiction. 
4. Proceed to choose the ‘National visa registration’ option. 
5. Register your account and proceed to select the appointment time and date at the respective Polish mission.
6. You must now fill in the application form online with all the relevant details.
7. After completing this, you must print the confirmation page and the completed application form. 
8. With the confirmation page print out, completed application form, and the documents, visit the respective mission for your appointment. You will have to provide your biometrics here as well. You will also have a short interview at the centre. 

Note that if you have submitted your biometrics for a Schengen visa within the 5 years preceding your date of application, you do not have to submit them again. Your biometric data from the previous application can be used.  

Also, ensure that you do not provide false information or fake documents. Doing so can cause your application to be rejected, leading to a visa rejection.

As per the requirements, the following are the list of general Poland dependent visa documents you will require to get a reunion visa. Based on the individual case of the applicant and the invitee, there may be additional documents necessary.

• A valid passport.
• 2 photos as per the specifications.
• Completed visa application form. 
• Temporary residence permit from the voivode in Poland. 
• Medical travel insurance covering at least 30,000 Euros. 
• Marriage certificate (for Poland dependent visa for spouse).
• Birth certificate (in case of children joining).
• Death certificate (In the case of death of one of the spouse/parent).
• Divorce certificate (In case of previous marriage).
• Police Clearance Certificate.
• Passport & residence permit/visa copy of the resident in Poland.
• Proof of ownership of a house/apartment or a copy of the rent contract.
• Proof of stable, sufficient means of subsistence of the resident in Poland.

The photos to be submitted for the application must meet the following specifications -

• Dimensions:  35mm X 45mm
• Colour: Coloured
• Head must occupy the central position
• Must be captured within the last 3 months
• Background: Solid, plain white or grey
• Must have 80% face coverage
• The facial expression must be neutral
• Eyes must be directed towards the camera and wide open. 
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription are permitted
• Headgears are allowed only for religious reasons
• Facial hair is permitted

Being a type of the long term Schengen D category, the dependent or reunion permits are granted for stay duration longer than 90 days. The exact validity and duration will depend on the decision of the consular officer processing your application. They will take into account key points from your application while doing so. These can be your expected travel dates, your previous travel history, the type of permit of the family member in Poland, the means of subsistence, and so on. Normally, you will get to stay as long as the validity of your Poland family member’s visa/permit. In case the family member is Polish, it can be a maximum of 3 years.

The average processing time for this category is 15 working days. However, depending on several factors, it can fluctuate. In certain special cases, it can even take up to 30 days for your application to be processed. Also in certain extraordinary cases, it could even take as long as 60 days. Therefore, it is advised to apply by keeping in mind the processing time. You will also have to take into consideration the time required for your family member to apply and get the temporary residence permit from Poland.

The total cost of the visa includes administrative/processing charges,  biometric charges, and other service fees levied by the VAC. As a result, ensure that you check the exact amount before starting the application.

Once you have submitted your application and provided your biometrics, your application will begin processing. Your application is first sent to the embassy or the respective consulate for processing, as per the jurisdiction. The VAC has no authority over the decision-making aspect of the application.

After the submission, you can check the status by visiting the website of the respective mission and check for your token number. Once your passport is ready for pick-up, your token number will be displayed. For - 

• Applications made at  Embassy of the Republic of Poland in New Delhi
• Applications made at  Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Mumbai

Upon receiving your dependent permit, there are a few things you must keep in mind to ensure that you do not face any difficulties with the trip.

• Before you travel  
  1. Note the validity and stay duration mentioned on your visa. You must not stay in the country beyond this period. 
  2. Carry all your travel documents before you travel to the country.
• At the border
  1. You must show your passport with the visa to the immigration officer at the port of entry. Your entry stamp will be placed on the passport.
  2. You may be asked to show the copy of the other documents submitted as part of your application. 
  3. You may be asked about the basic details of your visit. Ensure that you answer honestly and without hesitance. 
  4. The visa alone does not guarantee you entry into the country. You could still be refused entry if you do not meet the requirements.
• When you enter Poland
  1. You will have to obtain the residence permit card. 
  2. On the residence permit, you will be allowed to work full-time. 
  3. You can travel to other Schengen nations for a stay duration of not more than 90 days in a period of 180 days in them. 
  4. You may be able to extend the visa under certain conditions.
  5. You must respect the culture and customs of the country, as well as abide by the immigration laws during your stay.