Each country sets the rules for entry and stay in its territory by foreigners.
The basic document issued to foreigners to enable them to enter or stay in a foreign country is a visa, issued by diplomatic and consular offices. A visa is affixed to a passport or other travel document and may take the form of an entry stamp or sticker. A visa is a written permission to cross the border and stay in the territory of a foreign country, but usually does not guarantee entry to its holder (border services can refuse entry or cancel or revoke the visa even at the border, and usually does not give additional rights (such as performing work, which usually requires a separate permit).
In order to determine the rules for obtaining and extending visas and visa- free travel, both national laws and agreements, and international agreements concluded between countries are important. Visa waivers are not always reciprocal (it may be that citizens of country A do not need a visa to enter country B, but citizens of country B must have a visa to enter country B). Detailed information about the rules of entry to a country can be obtained from its diplomatic and consular missions of the country of destination (consulate, embassy). A list of the most important legal acts regulating entry into Poland has been published on the Border Guard’s website,
An extremely important international agreement in force in Poland and many other European countries is the Schengen Agreement, which regulates the free movement of people within the territory covered by the agreement. The Agreement abolishes internal border controls in the area covered by the Agreement (in exceptional situations, such as those related to security threats, border controls may be temporarily reinstated). Most EU countries and several other European countries are members of the Agreement. Importantly, the absence of border controls applies to all persons crossing internal state borders within the Schengen area, regardless of their citizenship.
There are two basic types of visas obtained by foreigners to come to Poland. These are:
- National visa (type D)
- Schengen visa (type C)
The third type of visa is a transit visa (type A), which is issued extremely rarely, for the purpose of transit through the territory of Poland to travel to another country.
Both the Schengen visa and the national visa entitle their holders to travel throughout the entire area covered by the Schengen Agreement ( with the proviso that a Schengen visa may be issued with limited territorial validity – for one or more Schengen countries).
A national visa (type D) and a Schengen visa (type C) differ in their period of validity. A Schengen visa entitles the holder to stay in Poland and other Schengen countries for 90 days within a 180-day period, while a national visa entitles the holder to stay in Poland for more than 90 days but less than a year. During the period of validity of a national visa, its holder may travel to Schengen countries other than Poland for 90 days in each 180-day period. The visa specifies not only the period of validity, but also the number of entries into the territory specified in it (it can be a single or multiple visa).
Purpose of visa issuance
On the visa sticker (for type C and D visas), the appropriate purpose of the issuance code is written (in the remarks field). This is very important because the purpose of issuance of a visa determines the rights of the holder in Poland (e.g., the question of the possibility of working in Poland) The following purposes of issuance of visas are specified in the law:
“01” – when the visa is issued for tourist purposes;
“02” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of visiting family or friends;
“03” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of participating in sports events;
“04” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of conducting business;
“05a” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of performing work on the basis of a registered statement of assignment of work to a foreigner;
“05b” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of performing work referred to in Article 88(2) of the Act of April 20, 2004 on employment promotion and labour market institutions (Journal of Laws of 2023, items 735, 1429, 1723 and 1737), for a period not exceeding 9 months in a calendar year;
“06” – When the visa is issued for the purpose of performing work other than that specified in Article 60 (1) (5) and (5a) of the Act;
“07” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of conducting cultural activities or participating in conferences organised in connection with the conduct of such activities;
“08” – when the visa is issued for the performance of official tasks by representatives of an authority of a foreign country or an international organisation;
“09” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of first-cycle studies, second- cycle studies or unified master’s studies or training at a doctoral school;
“10” – when the visa is issued for vocational training;
“11” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of education or training in a form other than that specified in Article 60(1)(9) or (10) of the Act;
“12” – when the visa is issued for didactic purposes;
“13” – when the visa is issued for scientific research or development work;
“13a” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of internship;
“13b” – when the visa is issued to participate in the European Voluntary Service program;
“14” – when the visa is issued for medical treatment;
“15” – when the visa is issued to join or stay with a citizen of a member state of the European Union, a member state of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – a party to the agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation;
“16” – when the visa is issued to participate in a cultural or educational exchange program, a humanitarian aid program or a vacation work program, and in case the program is regulated by an international agreement to which the Republic of Poland is a party, the name of the program is also placed on the visa sticker;
“17” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of arrival in the territory of the Republic of Poland as a member of the repatriate’s immediate family;
“17a” – when the visa is issued for arrival on the territory of the Republic of Poland as a member of the immediate family of a person residing in Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit obtained on the basis of the Pole’s Card;
“17b” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of joining or staying with a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, referred to in Article 10(1)(b) and (d) of the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (Official Journal of the EU L 29 of 31.01.2020, p. 7, as amended); “18” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of exercising the rights arising from the possession of the Pole’s Card;
“19” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of repatriation;
“20” – when the visa is issued to enjoy temporary protection;
“21” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of arrival for humanitarian reasons, due to the interests of the state or international obligations;
“22” – when the visa is issued to implement a temporary residence permit for family reunification;
“22a” – when a visa is issued for the purpose of implementing a temporary residence permit for intra-corporate transfer work;
“22b” – when a visa is issued to implement a temporary residence permit referred to in Article 160(1), (3), (4) or (6) of the Act;
“23” – when the visa is issued for the purpose of exercising the rights arising from the possession of the Pole’s Card and for purposes other than those specified in Article 60, paragraph 1, items 1-24b of the Act.
The visa sticker may contain additional information justifying the issuance of a Schengen visa or a national visa.
Special regulations apply to a visa issued for the purpose of repatriation, which is described in a separate tab National visa for the purpose of repatriation.
Conditions for obtaining a visa
Visas are issued by Polish consular authorities outside the country, so detailed information should be sought from the appropriate consular office. The law specifies the templates of the blank visa, the visa application form, and the requirements for the accompanying photograph.
To obtain a visa, it is required to submit an application on the appropriate form, along with a photograph and the required attachments, and to have:
- A travel document that meets certain conditions. Among others, it should be valid for at least 3 months from the planned date of departure from the territory (depending on the visa – Polish territory or Schengen territory)
- Documents showing the purpose and conditions of the planned stay
- Documents confirming possession of sufficient funds to cover the costs of stay and the return journey
- Documents confirming the required insurance
The list of required documents attached to the visa application varies depending on the type of visa. The requirements depend on the declared purpose of the trip, so it is important to contact the relevant consular office before starting the procedure for obtaining a visa. Then, fill out the visa application, prepare the required documents and schedule an appointment at the consular office. Booking an appointment is done through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs e-consulate service.
The visa application can be submitted no earlier than 6 months (9 months for sailors) and no later than 15 days before the date of the planned departure
Submission of a visa application is subject to a set fee. It should be borne in mind that the consul has 15 calendar days from the date of submission of the application to make a visa decision, but this period may be extended (up to 45 days, or up to 60 days in the case of a national visa). The indicated deadlines do not apply to visas issued for the purpose of repatriation.
It should be borne in mind that obtaining a visa does not guarantee entry into the territory specified therein. Border services may refuse entry, or cancel or revoke a visa even at the border.
Refusal to issue a visa
National and EU regulations specify the grounds for visa refusal (e.g., providing false information or lack of required documents). The refusal decision is communicated on a special form, indicating the reason for the refusal and the appeal procedure.
The grounds for refusal of domestic visas and Schengen visas are discussed on the website of the Office for Foreigners.
Extension of a visa
Extension of a national visa and Schengen visa is permissible if the conditions specified in the relevant regulations are met. The authority processing such applications is the Voivode competent for the foreigner’s place of residence in Poland. Detailed information should be sought from the relevant Voivodeship Office.
Visa-free travel
The provisions of European Union law indicate countries whose citizens are required to have a visa to enter the territory of the EU and countries whose citizens are exempt from the visa requirement
Local border traffic
Under agreements between two neighbouring states, residents of border areas may (after meeting certain requirements) regularly cross the border of a neighbouring state, for social, cultural, family, and legitimate economic reasons (but not for profit) without having to obtain a visa. Poland has such agreements signed with Ukraine and the Kaliningrad region (note: local border traffic with the Kaliningrad region has been suspended).
In order to enjoy the facilitation of local border traffic with Ukraine, it is necessary to obtain the relevant permit. The conditions for obtaining it, the required documents, and a map of the area covered by the local border traffic are described on the website: https://www.gov.pl/web/ukraina/maly-ruch- graniczny
Important links
Detailed information on national visas and Schengen visas can be obtained from the websites of the relevant authorities. The most important of these are:
MOS – website of the Office for Foreigners
Border Guard Headquarters website
e-Consulate
Office for Foreigners website
Information current as of: .
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