Poland Visa for Indians: Requirements & Fees
A Poland visa is the official authorisation Indian citizens need to enter Poland — there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option. The Schengen (C-type) visa costs EUR 90 for adults and is normally decided within 15 - 20 calendar days, while the national (D-type) visa for work or study costs EUR 200. This guide covers Poland visa fees, requirements, the application process, and processing times for Indian applicants, verified against gov.pl and VFS Global.
Poland Visa at a Glance
Field | Detail |
|---|---|
Visa required for Indians? | Yes — Poland is in the Schengen Area |
Visa types covered | Tourist (C), Business (C), Work (D), Study (D), Family/Dependent (D) |
E-visa available? | No — Poland does not offer a fully online visa. C-type applications are registered via VFS Global; D-type work and study applications are registered via e-Konsulat; submission is in person |
Validity | Short stay: up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Multiple-entry visas can be issued for up to 5 years for eligible frequent travellers |
Stay duration | C-type: up to 90 days in any 180-day period · D-type: over 90 days up to 365 days |
Processing time | C-type: 15 calendar days (may extend to 45 in individual cases) · D-type: 15 days (may extend to 30 in justified cases) |
Fee range | EUR 90 (adult, C-type) · EUR 45 (child 6–12) · free (under 6) · EUR 200 (D-type), plus a VFS service charge of INR 1,026 |
Entry type | Single, double, or multiple entry |
Passport validity | Issued within the previous 10 years, valid at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from Schengen, with at least 2 blank pages |
Biometrics | Schengen C: fingerprints for applicants aged 12+ (fingerprints recorded within the previous 59 months may be reused) · D-type: biometrics per national visa rules |
Application method | In person at a VFS Global Visa Application Centre |
Official source | gov.pl (Poland in India) and VFS Global Poland (India) |
Verified on 18 September 2026. All fees, eligibility rules, and processing times on this page were checked against the official gov.pl (Poland in India) consular pages, the VFS Global Poland (India) fee schedule, and the EU Visa Code.
What Is a Poland Visa?
A Poland visa is an official authorisation issued by the Republic of Poland that allows Indian citizens to enter, stay in, and travel within Poland and the Schengen Area.
Poland is one of 29 Schengen countries, so a Polish Schengen visa also lets you travel to other Schengen states for short stays. Poland issues two broad categories: short-stay Schengen (C-type) visas for tourism, business, and family visits of up to 90 days, and long-stay national (D-type) visas for work, study, and family reunification.
Indian passport holders are not visa-exempt for Poland. You must apply for a visa before you travel, submit biometrics in person, and pay the applicable consular fee. Applications are lodged through VFS Global Visa Application Centres in India, with work and study applications registered through the e-Konsulat system.
Do Indians Need a Visa for Poland?
Yes. Indian citizens need a visa to enter Poland for any purpose — there is no visa-free or visa-on-arrival option.
Your purpose | Visa you need |
|---|---|
Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends or family | C-type Schengen (Tourist) |
Business meetings, conferences, trade fairs | C-type Schengen (Business) |
Employment in Poland | D-type National (Work) |
University or college studies | D-type National (Study) |
Joining a family member residing in Poland | D-type National (Family/Dependent) |
Types of Poland Visas
Visa type | Purpose | Guide |
|---|---|---|
Poland Tourist Visa (C-type) | Tourism, sightseeing, visiting friends and family | |
Poland Business Visa (C-type) | Business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, negotiations | |
Poland Work Visa (D-type) | Employment with a Polish employer holding a work permit | |
Poland Student Visa (D-type) | Full-time study at a Polish institution | |
Poland Dependent / Family Visa (D-type) | Joining a family member residing in Poland |
Poland Visa Eligibility for Indians
Every Poland visa application from India requires a valid Indian passport, a completed application form, a recent photograph, travel medical insurance covering at least EUR 30,000, and proof of sufficient funds for your stay.
Beyond those, the documents you need depend on the visa type you are applying for:
Category | What to prepare |
|---|---|
Passport | Issued within the previous 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area, with at least 2 blank pages |
Application form | Completed online and printed — must be filled no more than five days before your appointment |
Photograph | Recent colour photograph meeting Schengen specifications |
Travel medical insurance | Minimum EUR 30,000 coverage, valid for the entire Schengen Area and the full duration of your trip |
Proof of funds | Bank statements showing you can support yourself during your stay |
Purpose of travel | Tourist: itinerary and hotel bookings · Business: invitation letter from a Polish company · Work: work permit and employment contract · Study: admission letter |
Accommodation | Hotel bookings, a host's address, or institutional confirmation from your university or employer |
The specific documents, formats, and additional requirements differ by visa type and employment status.
Poland Visa Fees for Indians
Applicant / type | Consular fee | VFS service charge |
|---|---|---|
Adult (12+) — C-type Schengen | EUR 90 (INR 9,504) | INR 1,026 |
Child 6–12 — C-type Schengen | EUR 45 (INR 4,752) | INR 1,026 |
Child under 6 — C-type Schengen | Free | INR 1,026 |
D-type National visa | EUR 200 (INR 21,120) | INR 1,026 |
The rupee amounts follow the current exchange rate and can change without notice. Both the consular fee and the VFS service charge are non-refundable — the consular fee is not returned even if your visa is refused, and the service charge is not returned once your appointment is confirmed. An optional courier service for passport return costs INR 960.
Fee waivers: The Schengen visa fee is waived for children under six; school pupils, students, postgraduate students, and accompanying teachers travelling for study or educational training; researchers travelling for scientific work; representatives of non-profit organisations aged 25 or under; and qualifying family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens where the applicable free-movement conditions are satisfied. The VFS service charge is still payable in all cases.
If your visa is refused: a reconsideration fee applies — INR 9,504 for a Schengen (C-type) refusal and INR 21,120 for a national (D-type) refusal.
For the complete fee breakdown by visa type, see the Poland visa requirements and document checklist.
Poland Visa Application Process
1. Choose your visa type based on your purpose of travel.
2. Register — C-type (tourist and business) applications are registered on the VFS Global Poland website; D-type work and study applications are registered on the e-Konsulat portal. Registration on e-Konsulat is not an online visa — it is part of the application process, and physical submission at the Visa Application Centre is still required.
3. Complete the application form online and print it — the form must be filled no more than five days before your scheduled appointment.
4. Book an appointment and pay the VFS service charge online.
5. Attend in person at a Visa Application Centre to submit your documents and give biometrics.
6. Collect your passport from the Visa Application Centre once a decision is made.
Poland does not offer a fully online visa application for Indian citizens — submission is in person.
Where to Apply in India
Poland processes Indian visa applications through its Embassy in New Delhi and its Consulate General in Mumbai. Submissions are lodged at VFS Global Visa Application Centres.
Mission | Consular district |
|---|---|
Embassy of Poland, New Delhi | North and East India — including Delhi NCR, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha |
Consulate General of Poland, Mumbai | West and South India — including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh |
Each mission handles applications based on your place of residence and the applicable consular jurisdiction. Check which mission covers your place of residence before booking — applying to the wrong mission can delay or prevent your application from being processed. See the full list of offices, addresses, and contact details on the Poland Embassy and VFS centres in India.
Poland Visa Processing Time
Application type | Processing time |
|---|---|
Standard C-type Schengen | 15 calendar days from submission at the mission |
Standard D-type National | 15 days from submission at the mission |
C-type individual cases | May extend to 45 days |
D-type justified cases | May extend to 30 days |
Applications lodged through satellite centres | Add 48–72 hours for transit to New Delhi or Mumbai |
Processing time starts from the day your application reaches the Embassy or Consulate — not the day you submit at the Visa Application Centre. You can apply up to six months before your trip. Applying at least three to four weeks ahead is advisable; as a practical guideline from BTWVisas, appointments tend to fill faster during peak travel periods (roughly May–August and December), so apply as early as you can.
Current Poland Visa Rules and Updates for 2026
What changed in 2026:
· Consular fee schedule updated (effective 1 January 2026). The gov.pl Consular Fees Table sets the D-type national visa fee at EUR 200 and the Schengen C-type fee at EUR 90 — the figures used throughout this page were checked against this table on 18 September 2026.
Rules that remain in force (not new in 2026):
· Apply up to six months before travel. Under the updated Schengen Visa Code, applications can be lodged as early as six months before your planned trip — useful for peak travel periods when appointments fill quickly.
· D-type work and study applications are registered through e-Konsulat. Work and study visa applications are registered through the e-Konsulat portal rather than the VFS Global website, which handles C-type (tourist and business) applications. Registration is not an online visa — physical submission is still required.
Tips for a Smooth Poland Visa Application
- Apply through the right mission. Each Polish mission handles applications based on your place of residence and the applicable consular jurisdiction, so check that your place of residence falls under New Delhi or Mumbai before booking.
- Apply early. You can lodge your application up to six months before travel. Appointments tend to fill quickly during peak travel periods, so book as soon as your plans are confirmed.
- Apply yourself. Submitting a Poland visa application through a travel agent is not allowed — the application must be made by the applicant.
- Match your documents to your purpose. A tourist itinerary, a business invitation, or a work permit — your documents must clearly support the visa type you applied for.
- Carry your completed form. A printed, filled application form is mandatory when you attend the Visa Application Centre, and it must be completed no more than five days before your appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work or study in Poland on a Schengen tourist visa?
A C-type Schengen visa cannot be used for employment in Poland. For study, the correct category depends on the purpose and duration: certain short-term study, research, or internship activities can fall under a C-type visa, while long-term study generally requires the appropriate D-type national visa — in most cases with a work permit or university admission obtained before you apply.
Do children need a separate Poland visa application?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants and children, needs their own visa application and their own passport. For Schengen C visas, applicants aged 12 and above generally provide fingerprints at the Visa Application Centre — fingerprints already recorded for a Schengen application within the previous 59 months may normally be reused. The visa fee is waived for children under 6 and reduced to EUR 45 for children aged 6–12. Minors travelling without both parents should carry a parental consent letter and a birth certificate, as border officers may ask for them.
Do I need to show a minimum bank balance for a Poland visa?
Poland requires proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay. There is no single universal closing balance that applies to every applicant, but Poland publishes minimum subsistence reference amounts, and your overall finances must credibly cover accommodation, travel, and daily expenses for your trip. As a general guide, your recent bank statements should reflect consistent income and a closing balance that comfortably covers your trip — not a sudden large deposit made just before applying.
How do I collect my passport after my Poland visa is approved?
You will be notified by email or SMS once your passport is ready. Collect it in person from the same Visa Application Centre where you submitted, carrying a valid ID and your appointment receipt. If you opted for the courier service (INR 960), your passport is delivered to your address instead. Track your application status on the VFS Global Poland website using your reference number.
Do I need travel insurance for a Poland visa, and where do I get it?
Yes. Schengen visa rules require travel medical insurance with a minimum coverage of EUR 30,000, valid for the entire Schengen Area and the full duration of your trip. Indian insurers such as ICICI Lombard, TATA AIG, and Bajaj Allianz offer Schengen-compliant plans, as do international providers. Your insurance must cover medical expenses and repatriation — the policy must be valid for the exact dates of your trip. See BTWVisas travel insurance for options.
How do I book an appointment at a VFS centre for a Poland visa?
Visit the VFS Global Poland (India) website, select your visa category, choose the Visa Application Centre within your consular district, and select an available date. You will need to pay the VFS service charge online at the time of booking. Appointments for different visa categories are released on different schedules — the D-type work and study slots in particular can fill quickly, so check the VFS website regularly.
What should self-employed or freelance applicants know about a Poland visa application?
If you are self-employed or freelance, you should be prepared to show additional documents alongside the standard requirements — typically a business registration or GST certificate, recent income tax returns, and both personal and business bank statements showing consistent income. These help demonstrate that you have stable financial ties to India, which is an important factor the consular officer considers.
Can I get a multiple-entry Poland Schengen visa?
Yes. If you have previously held Schengen visas and travelled compliantly — using them within the allowed period and not overstaying — you may be eligible for a multiple-entry visa. The Schengen cascade system allows one-year, then two-year, then five-year multiple-entry visas for applicants with a good travel history, subject to the legal eligibility conditions and the consular authority's decision. You can request multiple-entry when you apply, though the final decision rests with the consular officer.