Poland Schengen Visa Application Requirements

Depending on the purpose of your travel to Poland, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion.

Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in Poland permanently, you will have to apply for a different Polish Schengen Visa, accordingly.

You can apply for the Polish Schengen Visa since 2007 when Poland as a Member State of the European Union also became a member state of the Schengen Area.

See the list of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Poland by clicking Do I need a visa to visit Poland?

Poland Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Poland, as well as the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020.

To this day, only the following are permitted to enter the Polish territory:

• Polish citizens
• Citizens and residents of Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, Tunisia and Australia
• Foreigners who are spouses or children of citizens of Poland or remain under the constant care of citizens of Poland
• Polish identity Card Holders
• Diplomats
• People entitled to permanent or temporary residence in the Republic of Poland or who hold a work permit
• Foreigners who run a means of transport designed for the transport of good
• Citizens of EU Member States, EFTA Member States – parties to the Agreement on the EEA or the Swiss Confederation and their spouses and children, when travelling through the territory of the Republic of Poland to their place of residence or stay
• Those with a permanent residence permit or a long-term resident’s EU residence permit, in the territory of other EU Member States, a Member State of the EFTA – parties to the Agreement on the EEA or the Swiss Confederation and their spouses and children, when travelling through the territory of the Republic of Poland, to their place of residence or stay.

Additionally, in particularly justified cases, the commander of the Border Guard post may allow a foreigner to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland in accordance with the procedure specified in the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 35), always after obtaining the consent of the Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard.

Those coming to Poland from outside the EU are obliged to go through a fortnight of quarantine, whereas those crossing the internal EU borders are exempt from the requirement of quarantine.

General required documents for a Polish Visa Application:

• Download the Polish Visa application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Poland Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
• 2 photos must be attached; the photo should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background. Learn more about photo requirements and specifications for a Polish Visa.
• Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
• Travel medical insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Poland and the entire Schengen area. Find out more about Visa Insurance for Europe.
• A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Poland and itinerary
• Flight air ticket reservation with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Poland
• Hotel Booking Reservation for the whole duration of the intended stay in Poland
• Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
• Means of subsistence – Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Poland

If employed:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• No-objection certificate from employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

• Proof of enrollment
• Leave approval letter from school or university

If retired:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

• Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied the rest of the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally at the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.

Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the purpose of your Polish Visa application.

List of additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of Poland Visa Application:

Poland Tourist Schengen Visa:

• Invitation letter with the address and phone number from family member or sponsor – if applicable
• Bank statement of the last 6 months
• Passport copies

Poland Visa for Business Purposes:

• Invitation letter from the Polish company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit
• A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
• If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
• Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
• Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Poland Visa for Medical Purposes:

• A local medical report
• A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Poland, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
• Payment receipt of medical fees

Poland Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:

• Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – purpose of visit , expense coverage
• Names of the applicants (crew members)
• Duration of stay
• Travel itinerary
  

Poland Visa for Members of Official Delegations:

• The official invitation copy
• Identity of applicant
• Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
• Poland Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other type of Internship Purposes:
• An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
• Certificate of completion or courses attended
• Financial sustenance 

Poland Visa For The Wife/Husband of a Polish citizen:

• Proof of Polish citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Polish nationality or naturalization order)
• Polish marriage certificate
• Polish family record book

Poland Airport Transit Visa:

• Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
• Copy of your valid visa for your final destination 

Poland Visa for Under-Age Children:

• Proof of parent’s regular income (work contract with specified monthly income or a bank statement or business license)
• Notarized travel permission from parent (parental travel consent)
• If one parent lives in another country – their notarized parental travel consent

*Note: When applying at the Polish embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.

Can I extend my Schengen visa in Poland?

Yes, you can extend your Poland Schengen visa but only in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry in Poland.

Please read How to Extend a Schengen Visa to understand in what circumstances and what are the conditions you must fulfill in order to be eligible to Extend your Poland Schengen Visa.

Poland National D-type visa

If you intend to stay in the territory of Poland for a total of more than 90 days (at least 91 days) during one or more visits within a half-year period calculated from the date of first entry, you need to apply for a national D-type visa.

Attention! Please consult the Embassy of Poland in your country for the updated Poland Visa requirements!