Poland Visitor Visa - Definitive Guide

Also known as the Poland Schengen visitor visa, this is a permit that can be used to enter Poland to visit your family members or friends living in the country. Being a type of the C-category Schengen, this permit allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days in a 180-day period and can be obtained as single-entry, double-entry, or even the multiple-entry types. However, if you are only travelling only within the Schengen region multiple times, you do not require a multiple-entry type. Multiple entries are required if you have to exit and re-enter the Schengen zone as many times as required. 

The application for the Poland visitor visa from India has to be done at one of the two diplomatic missions of the Republic of Poland in India. If your state of residence is a North Indian or East Indian states/UT, you must apply at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in New Delhi. If your state of residence is a South Indian or West Indian state/UT, you must apply at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Mumbai.

The application must be made online. There is no offline mode of application for this. Before starting the application, you must check if you are eligible to travel as a visitor. After this, you can proceed to make the application as follows - 

1. Obtain all the documents you will require for the application process. This includes the general documents, as well as the documents specific to the Family/Friends Visit category. 
2. Visit the ‘e-Konsulat’ application portal of the Polish Ministry of foreign affairs.
3. Select ‘India’, and the respective mission as per the jurisdiction. 
4. Proceed to choose the ‘Schengen 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. You should mention the purpose of the visit as ‘Family/Friends visit’.
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 mission. 

Note that you may not have to visit the mission in person if you have travelled to the Schengen zone in the past 2 years. In this case, you may submit the application through a third party (as long as they have an authorization letter).

Ensure that you submit only genuine documents and correct information. Providing false information or fake documents can lead to Schengen visa rejection.

To be able to apply for this particular category, you must meet the following conditions - 

• You must be within the country you are making the application. If you are residing in a residence permit in a foreign country, you can apply it to the respective embassy.
• You must possess a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
• Your primary motive of the visit must be to meet your friends and family living in Poland, and you must be invited by them.
• You must possess sufficient funds to cover your expenses during the stay in Poland.
• You must apply for the permit only if -

• 1. Poland is your only destination, or
  2. Poland is one of your multiple Schengen destinations -  in which case you will be spending the majority of the time here, or
  3. Poland is your port of entry. 

As per the requirements, the following are the list of documents needed for the visitor permit,

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  3. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.
• Appointment confirmation page
• Signed print out of the completed online application form
• Original official invitation registered at the ‘Urząd Wojewódzki’ by the host in Poland
• If the host is not a permanent resident of Poland – original personal invitation stating the details of the visit
• If visiting family, a document of proof of relationship - marriage certificate, birth certificate, etc
• Travel documents - 
  1. A detailed travel itinerary 
  2. Round trip flight booking
  3. Proof of accommodation 
• Medical travel insurance coverage of at least 30000 Euros
• Proof of occupation - 

Proof of occupation such as employment letter, Copy of business license, etc.

• Financial documents -

Financial documents such as bank statements of the past 3 months, Passbook copy, ITR, etc. 

• 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
• 80% face coverage
• Neutral expression
• Glasses: Non-thick framed and prescription glasses
• Headgears - only for religious reasons
• Facial hair - permitted

The time taken for the processing of the visitor permit is dependent on the number of entries, the validity, the volume of applications at the embassy or consulate, as well as your previous travel history. Normally, you can expect a processing time of about 15 working days. However, this can even take up to 30 days in a few cases, and even up to 60 days in extreme cases. As a result, it is suggested that you apply well in advance. 

The fees for the visitor visa includes the biometric charges, application fee, and any other service charges. The application fee can vary upon the currency exchange rates. As a result, you must check the exact amount before starting the application. 

Also, note that if you are applying at the Embassy of Poland in New Delhi, you can pay the fees in cash or via bank transfer. However, if you are applying to the consulate of Poland in Mumbai, you must pay the fees in cash or DD in favour of the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Mumbai to the Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank (ADCB) in Mumbai. 

Once you have successfully made the application, the embassy/consulate will start processing the application. If they require any additional documentation, you will be contacted by them. Once the visa is approved, visit the respective centre with the token number and collect the passport.

Once you have applied for the visitor visa, you can check the decision status of your permit by visiting - 

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

According to the mission you have made the application to. If your passport is ready for pick-up, your token number will be displayed at the page. Alternately, you can contact your travel agency to have them track it for you.

Once you have received the visitor permit, you must keep in mind the following points to ensure that you do not face any difficulties during your trip. 

• Check the visa sticker for the expiry date, duration of stay, as well as the number of entries. Your travel and stay must be in accordance with these. 
• Carry all the travel documents while travelling. You will have to show these at your port of entry. If you do not possess them, you will be denied entry into Poland. 
• Ensure that you travel to Poland within 6 months of the issue date, or as mentioned on the sticker. After this date, your permit will become invalid and you will not be able to enter the country. 
• While you are travelling within the country, carry a copy of your travel documents with you at all times. 
• While you are on a visitor category, you cannot work on a payroll of a Polish company or establishment. However, you may take part in unpaid volunteer or charity work. 
• You will not be able to extend the visit permit under any normal conditions.
• You can move freely within the Schengen zone. And depending on your entry type, you may enter or exit the Schengen as allowed. If you are issued with the LTV (Limited Territorial Validity) type, you can visit only the specific state(s) mentioned in the Schengen sticker.