Poland Visa - Definitive Guide

The Polish permit is an endorsement required to enter the country for whatever purpose it may be. Issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry, this permit is only required if you are not a national of other Schengen countries or the visa-exempt nations. Since India does not come under this, to enter Poland, you would need a Poland visa from India. 

The Poland visa application from India has to be done at a diplomatic mission of Poland. The Polish government has not outsourced the application process. To ease up the process, the application has to be done online. Before starting the application, you must check if you are eligible to apply for the particular type of the permit. After this, you can proceed to make the online visa application for Poland from India as follows - 

1. Obtain all the documents you will require for the application process. 
2. Visit the ‘e-Konsulat’ application portal of the Polish Ministry of foreign affairs.
3. Select the respective country and mission as per your jurisdiction. 
4. Proceed to choose between ‘Schengen visa’ and the ‘national visa’ as per your requirement. Note that both these have different application forms. 
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 Poland online visa application form 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, completed application form, and the documents visit the respective mission for your appointment. You will have to provide your biometrics here as well.  Also, you will be subjected to a short interview. 

Note that if you have travelled to the Schengen region in the past 2 years, or you are applying for a business visa, or you are a tourist travelling as a part of an organized group, you may submit the application through a third party (as long as they have an authorization letter). In all other cases, you will have to submit the application in person. 

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

Based on the duration of permitted stay and the purpose, the Polish permits can be classified as the following - 

• Airport Transit (A-type) - This type of permit is issued for people who have to pass through Poland on a transit.
• Short term (C-type)- Also known as the Poland Schengen visa, this type is issued for a short period of time of stay duration of maximum 90 days in a 180-day period. Based on the purpose of the visit, these can further be classified as the following - 

• 1. Tourist - This type of permit is issued for people whose main purpose for the trip is for taking part in tourist activities in the country.
  2. Business - This allows you to travel to Poland to take part in business-related activities such as meetings, conferences, etc.
  3. Friends/Family Visit - This is issued for individuals who have been invited to visit their family members or friends living in the country.
  4. Cultural/Sports/Religious -This category of the permit is issued for people who are travelling to Poland to take part in sporting, cultural, or religious events in the country.
  5. Study/Research/Internship - These are for people who are visiting to take part in short term studies, internship or research in the country.
• Long term (D-type) - This is more commonly known as the Poland national visa and is issued for periods longer than 90 days, up to 365 days. Based on the purpose, these can also be classified as the following- 
  1. Work - This is granted for people who are entering Poland to engage in work-related activities.
  2. Study - This is issued for students entering Poland to take part in studies that last longer than 90 days. 
  3. Family Reunion - This is for people who are visiting their family who is settled in Poland and staying with them. 

Based on the embassy requirements, the following are the list of general documents you must submit at the mission for your application. Note that based on the exact type of the permit, there will be additional documents required for Poland visa. 

• A valid passport- 

• 1. It must contain at least 2 blank pages.
  2. It should not be older than 10 years.
  3. It should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of travel.
  4. Old passports, if any, are to be attached.

• Appointment confirmation page
• Signed print out of the completed online application form
• A covering letter - 

• 1. This must include the applicant's details.
  2. It should clearly mention the source of funds.
  3. It should clearly state the purpose and duration of the visit.
  4. It should be signed by the applicant and addressed to the Embassy of Poland.

• Flight reservation for round trip
• Proof of accommodation - hotel bookings/invitation to stay/residence bookings, etc 
• Medical travel insurance coverage up to 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 to process the Poland Visa is normally around 15 working days. However, it can increase or decrease depending on the exact visa category, the number of permits, the validity of the permit, the volume of applications at the embassy, as well as your previous travel history. 

Poland Schengen visa fees for Indian citizens depends on the exact type of the permit, biometric charges, as well as other service charges. It can also vary depending on the foreign exchange rates. As a result, you must check the exact amount before making the application. 

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. 

After submission, you can know the Poland visa application status by visiting the website of the respective Polish mission. Based on your token number, you can check if your passport is ready for collection or not. Alternately, you can contact your travel agency to know the status. Click below to know the decision status of your application submitted at - 

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

The application for the Poland visa has to be done online. However, the appointment and application submission must be at one of the two diplomatic missions of Poland in India. This must be according to the jurisdiction. That is your state of residence for the past 6 months. If you belong to one of the northern or eastern states/UT of India, you must make the application at the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in New Delhi. If, however, you belong to a southern or western state/UT of India, you must apply at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Mumbai.