EuropeSelect the passports you hold to see short-stay access and per-route eligibility for Poland.
Short stays: tourism, transit, business trips, medical, pilgrimage.
Tourist Visa
Electronic travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals (e.g. US, UK, Canada, Japan). Valid 3 years for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. We apply on your behalf end-to-end. Fees illustrative.
Tourist Visa
Short-stay visa for tourism: up to 90 days within any 180-day period. We prepare your forms and documents; you attend the consulate/VFS appointment to submit biometrics. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Tourist Visa
The national long-stay D visa for stays exceeding 90 days, used for extended tourism (purpose code 01) or visiting family or friends in Poland (purpose code 02). Validity cannot exceed one year, and the visa also allows travel in other Schengen states for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Applicants must hold EUR 30,000 travel medical insurance, show sufficient funds and accommodation, and for family/friend visits provide proof that the inviting party legally resides in Poland for the whole period. The visa does not authorise employment. The national visa fee rose to EUR 200 on 1 January 2026.
Tourist Visa
The uniform Schengen C visa for short stays in Poland and the wider Schengen area of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, used for tourism, visiting family or friends, and short business trips. Applicants must show travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage, sufficient funds for the stay (Poland's border baseline is PLN 300 for trips up to 4 days or PLN 75/day for longer stays, with a tourism minimum of PLN 20/day and at least PLN 100 total, plus return funds), and proof of accommodation and purpose. The visa does not authorise work and does not lead to residence. The standard fee is EUR 90 (EUR 45 for children aged 6-12).
Transit Visa
Required by some nationalities to pass through the international transit area of a Schengen airport without entering. Whether you need one depends on your nationality. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Business Visitor Visa
Short-stay visa for business trips (meetings, conferences, negotiations): up to 90 days within any 180-day period. We prepare forms and documents; you submit at the consulate/VFS. Government fee EUR 90 (illustrative).
Business Visitor Visa
The national long-stay D visa for business purposes (purpose code 04): meetings, negotiations, conferences and similar activity exceeding 90 days. Validity is up to one year, with Schengen travel of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Applicants provide business documentation (an invitation from a Polish company, proof of business relationship, company registration or evidence of their own business activity), EUR 30,000 travel medical insurance, proof of funds and accommodation. The visa permits business activity but not local employment. The national visa fee is EUR 200 as of 2026.
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Universities, language courses, internships and exchanges.
Student Visa
For stays over 90 days to study. Issued under national rules -- apply at the consulate of your destination country. We guide you; submission is in person. Fees and processing times vary by country.
Student Visa
In-country temporary residence permit for third-country nationals enrolled full-time at an approved Polish higher-education institution for a stay over 3 months. The first permit is granted for 15 months (or the academic year plus 3 months); subsequent permits cover the study period plus 3 months, up to a maximum of 3 years. Applicants must show student-specific funds of at least PLN 1,010 per month (single) or PLN 823 per month per person in a family, covering tuition, housing and return travel over the whole stay. The state fee is PLN 340 stamp duty plus PLN 100 for the residence card. Holders may work without a work permit. Applications are filed online via the MOS portal.
Student Visa
The national long-stay D visa for third-country nationals admitted to a recognised Polish higher-education institution (bachelor, master, doctoral or preparatory programmes) for a stay over 90 days. Validity is up to one year; for longer programmes the student switches to a temporary residence permit after arrival. Applicants must show subsistence funds of at least PLN 701 per month for themselves plus PLN 528 per month per accompanying family member (after housing), plus return-travel funds (PLN 200/500/2,500 depending on origin), EUR 30,000 insurance, and a university admission certificate. Students may work without a separate work permit. The national visa fee is EUR 200 in 2026.
Internship / Trainee Visa
A one-time residence permit under Article 186(1)(6) of the Act on Foreigners for non-EU graduates of Polish universities (bachelor, engineer, master or doctoral level) who wish to seek work or start a business in Poland after completing their studies. Granted only once, for 9 months, directly after graduation. Applicants must show subsistence funds of at least PLN 515 per person per month plus return-travel funds, health insurance and a Polish address. Graduates of full-time studies may work without a work permit; part-time graduates need a work permit. The state fee is PLN 340 stamp duty plus PLN 100 for the residence card.
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Digital nomad, freelance, skilled employment and company transfers.
Freelancer Visa
Poland has no dedicated digital-nomad visa; freelancers and the self-employed enter on a national long-stay D visa and then register business activity in Poland, transferring to the temporary residence permit for business activity for stays beyond the visa period. The D visa is valid up to one year, allows 90 days of Schengen travel per 180-day period, and requires EUR 30,000 travel medical insurance plus proof of funds and accommodation. Long-term self-employment is legalised through the business-activity residence permit, which itself requires the company to meet an income or job-creation test. The national visa fee is EUR 200 in 2026.
Startup / Entrepreneur Visa
The fast-track PBH visa programme for IT founders, startups and companies (launched 2020) was suspended by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 26 January 2024 over vetting concerns and consulates no longer accept PBH visa applications; no dedicated startup visa has replaced it.
Skilled Work Visa
For stays over 90 days to work. Requires employer sponsorship / a work permit before you can apply, so eligibility is conditional. Issued under national rules -- apply at the consulate of your destination country. Fees and processing times vary by country.
Skilled Work Visa
The single permit combines residence and work authorisation in one document for third-country nationals employed by a specific Polish employer. Granted for the period needed for the work, exceeding 3 months and up to a maximum of 3 years, and renewable. Remuneration must be no lower than the national minimum wage regardless of working hours or contract type. The employer completes Annex No. 1 to the application. The state fee is PLN 440 stamp duty plus PLN 100 for the residence card. Time on this permit counts toward the 5 years of continuous legal residence required for an EU long-term resident permit. Applications are filed online via the MOS portal.
Skilled Work Visa
Temporary residence permit for highly qualified third-country professionals holding a higher-education qualification or at least five years of comparable professional experience, with a Polish job offer. For applications from 9 February 2026 the gross salary must be at least PLN 13,355.34 per month (about PLN 160,264 per year, 150% of the average national salary). The employment contract must run for at least 6 months. The permit is granted for the work period plus 3 months, up to 3 years. The labour-market test was abolished under the recast EU Blue Card rules. The state fee is PLN 440 stamp duty plus PLN 100 card. Blue Card holders reach EU long-term residence on an accelerated basis (after 33 months, or 21 months with B1 Polish) and have favourable family-reunification rights.
Seasonal Work Visa
For seasonal work in agriculture, horticulture and tourism, foreigners obtain a seasonal work permit (Type S) from the local Starosta and a national visa with purpose code 05b for stays over 90 days. Seasonal employment is capped at up to 9 months within any 12-month period, counted from first entry in the calendar year. No labour-market test applies, making the procedure faster. For the residence-permit continuation route, applicants must show net income of at least PLN 776 per month (or PLN 600 per family member). Wages must match comparable local workers. The national visa fee is EUR 200 in 2026; the seasonal stay generally does not count toward permanent residence.
Intra-Company Transfer Visa
Residence permit for managers, specialists and trainee employees transferred from a non-EU branch to a Polish entity of the same corporate group. Managers and specialists must have at least 12 months of prior employment with the group (6 months for trainees). Remuneration must be at least 70% of the average gross monthly salary in the national economy in the host entity's province. Permits run up to 3 years for managers and specialists and up to 1 year for trainees, are not renewable beyond those caps, and allow intra-EU mobility to other group entities. The state fee is PLN 440 stamp duty plus PLN 100 card; a decision is issued within 90 days of a complete application.
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Golden visas, real estate, citizenship by investment, passive income.
Business Investor Visa
Poland does not run a passive golden-visa or citizenship-by-investment programme; investor migration runs through this active-business residence permit for foreigners running a company in Poland (sole proprietorship or as a board member). Granted up to a maximum of 3 years and renewable. Beyond the applicant's own stable income, the company must have earned, in the previous tax year, income of at least 12x the average gross monthly salary in its region, OR employ at least two people (Polish citizens or persons entitled to work) full-time for at least one year with documented financial resources. The state fee is PLN 440 stamp duty plus PLN 100 card. Time on this permit counts toward the 5-year EU long-term residence requirement.
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Retirement visas and working holiday schemes.
Working Holiday Visa
Poland has bilateral working-holiday agreements with 8 partners — New Zealand, Australia, Japan, Chile, South Korea, Argentina, Peru and Taiwan — whose youth apply for ~12-month visas at Polish embassies or consulates.
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Reunification, spouse routes and ancestry-based repatriation.
Family Reunification Visa
Residence permit under Article 159 of the Act on Foreigners for family members of a third-country national legally resident in Poland. The sponsor must hold permanent residence, EU long-term resident status, refugee or subsidiary-protection status, a researcher/Blue Card/ICT/humanitarian permit, or successive temporary permits totalling at least 2 years with the current permit valid at least 1 year. Eligible members are mainly the spouse (recognised marriage, both 18+), minor children of the foreigner and spouse, and dependent minor children or stepchildren. Stable monthly income above PLN 1,010 (single) / PLN 823 per family member is required, plus health insurance and accommodation; the income test is waived for refugee sponsors applying within 6 months. The permit matches the sponsor's stay, up to 3 years. Family members may work without a permit. The state fee is PLN 340 stamp duty plus PLN 100 card.
Ancestry / Repatriation
The national repatriation visa, under the Act of 9 November 2000 on Repatriation, is for persons of confirmed Polish origin (at least one parent or grandparent, or two great-grandparents of Polish nationality) without Polish citizenship who had permanent residence before 1 January 2001 in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, or the Asian part of the Russian Federation. The visa is valid 12 months for entry; on crossing the Polish border the holder acquires Polish citizenship by operation of law, with no permanent-residence step or waiting period. There is no fixed income threshold, but settlement conditions (secured housing and employment for at least 12 months, a government adaptation-centre place, or a gmina or sponsor support declaration) must be shown. The visa may also cover a spouse and descendants to the fourth degree.
Ancestry / Repatriation
The Pole's Card confirms belonging to the Polish nation for applicants without Polish citizenship or a permanent-residence card who can show Polish ancestry (at least one parent or grandparent, or two great-grandparents of Polish nationality), demonstrate basic Polish, and declare affiliation before a consul or voivode. Since July 2019 it is open to applicants worldwide. The card is valid 10 years and renewable, and grants the right to work without a permit, run a business on the same terms as Polish citizens, free public education and emergency healthcare. Holders may obtain a permanent residence permit with no minimum residence period and are statutorily exempt from its stamp duty; after one year of continuous legal residence on that permit they may be recognised as Polish citizens, the shortest naturalisation path.
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Talent, religious, humanitarian, media, official and permanent residence.
Humanitarian / Asylum Route
A national (non-EU) protection status granted by the Border Guard to third-country nationals or stateless persons subject to a return obligation who cannot be returned because removal would threaten their life, freedom or safety, expose them to torture or inhuman treatment, forced labour or denial of a fair trial, or violate their right to family or private life. Granted for an indefinite period within return proceedings; a residence card valid 2 years is issued ex officio and is renewable. There is no income test. Holders may work without a work permit. After 5 years of continuous residence on humanitarian consent, the holder may apply for a permanent residence permit. The residence-card fee is PLN 50, with Belarusian citizens exempt.
Long-Term Residence Permit
EU long-term resident status (Directive 2003/109/EC) is granted after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Poland immediately before the application. Continuity is preserved if no single absence exceeds 6 months and total absences stay under 10 months over the 5 years (12/18 months for Blue Card holders), and study time counts only 50%. Applicants must show stable, regular income above the social-assistance threshold (PLN 1,010 net/month single, PLN 823 per family member from 2025), health insurance, secured accommodation, and Polish at B1 (required since 24 June 2023, under-16s exempt). The permit is granted for an indefinite period and the residence card is valid 5 years and renewable, giving near-equal treatment with nationals and facilitated mobility to other EU states. The stamp duty is PLN 640 plus PLN 50 for the card.
Permanent Residence
The permanent residence permit under Article 195 of the Act on Foreigners is granted for an indefinite period to specified categories, including minor children of Polish citizens or of settled foreigners, persons of Polish origin (parent, grandparent or two great-grandparents Polish, with no fixed residence period), Pole's Card holders (no minimum residence period), spouses of Polish citizens (after 3 years of marriage and 2 years of continuous residence), and refugees or holders of subsidiary or humanitarian protection after 5 years of continuous residence. There is no income or proof-of-funds requirement for the main categories. The residence card is valid 10 years and renewable. The stamp duty is PLN 640 (Pole's Card holders are exempt) plus PLN 100 for the card. Holders may work without any permit and can later seek recognition as a Polish citizen.
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Data verified against official sources — see how.
Completed application form
Complete the official visa or residence application form for your destination. Most consulates now use an online portal where you fill in the form, upload documents and book an appointment; print and sign the confirmation page.
| Issued by | Destination consulate / immigration portal |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | Usually free (the visa fee is separate) |
| Typical time | 30–60 minutes to complete |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Passport
Apply for or renew your passport at your country's passport authority (often the foreign-affairs or interior ministry, a passport office or designated post office). Most visa portals want a clear colour scan of the bio-data page; keep the passport valid at least 6 months beyond your trip with two blank pages.
| Issued by | National passport authority |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $20–$150 |
| Typical time | 1–6 weeks (expedited often available) |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Passport photo
Have a recent passport photo taken at a pharmacy, photo booth or photographer, or use a compliant online photo tool. The common size is 35×45 mm with a plain light background, neutral expression and no glasses; the US and a few others require 2×2 in (51×51 mm). Get 2–4 prints plus a digital copy.
| Issued by | Any photographer or photo booth (ICAO 9303 standard) |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $5–$15 |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Travel medical insurance
Buy a travel-medical insurance policy covering your whole trip and every destination country, then print the certificate. For the Schengen Area the EU Visa Code requires at least €30,000 of cover for medical emergencies and repatriation, valid across all member states.
| Issued by | Any approved insurer |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | $10–$60 per trip |
| Typical time | Immediate |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of accommodation
Show where you will stay: a hotel booking, a signed tenancy/lease, a host's invitation with their address, or an address-registration document. For longer stays a registered rental contract is usually expected.
| Issued by | Landlord / host / municipality |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$50 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Return / onward ticket
Provide a flight reservation or an onward/return ticket itinerary. Many travellers use a held reservation (not a paid ticket) from an airline, travel agent or flight-itinerary service so they are not committed before the visa is granted.
| Issued by | Airline / travel agent |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$30 for a reservation |
| Typical time | Same day |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
Proof of sufficient funds
Show you can support your stay using bank statements, a salary or pension certificate, a sponsorship/affidavit of support, or evidence of savings or income that meets the published minimum for the visa. Combine several documents if one is not enough.
| Issued by | Your bank / employer / sponsor |
|---|---|
| Typical cost | free–$20 |
| Typical time | Same day–1 week |
Verified 11 Jun 2026
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