The D-type national visa in Poland represents a document for long-term stays (which are, however, limited to a given amount of time). The document is considered a visa for long-term stays due to the fact that it is issued for visits longer than 90 days in a 180-day period. This is also the best way to obtain a residence permit in Poland.
Our immigration lawyers in Poland can offer information on the nationalities that must have a D-type national visa when arriving here.
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Who must apply for a D visa for Poland?
The national D visa can be obtained by non-EU citizens who enter Poland and the EU for the first time. Non-EU citizens who have obtained a similar type of visa in another EU member state are no longer required to apply for it. This means that a Polish-issued document can also be used to travel to other EU countries without going through additional formalities.
What documents must one prepare for the issuance of the Polish D-type visa?
The set of standard documents comprises the following:
• the persons’ passport and the visa application form, signed and completed as needed;
• the proof of the payment of the visa fee and a recent photograph of the applicant;
• a travel medical insurance with a value of at least EUR 30,000;
• documents attesting to the purpose of the visit and evidence with regard to the person’s accommodation conditions – this is compulsory even when moving to Poland for a short period of time;
• documents showing that the applicant has sufficient financial resources to live in Poland;
• a document showing evidence of the date when the foreigner will leave Poland (this date must be prior to the visa expiration date).
Upon the preparation of the application for the D-type visa, foreigners should first verify all the documents they should submit.
Where can I get information on the D visa?
When applying for a D-type national visa for Poland, foreigners should address a Polish diplomatic mission (consulate or embassy) operating in their region. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland has created a portal for visa applications where foreigners can make an appointment with the Polish representatives, and where they can observe the most suitable diplomatic mission they should contact.
What are the main purposes of the issuance of the Polish D-type visa?
Some of the basic reasons foreigners can invoke when requesting a D-type national visa for Poland, marked by numbers, are the following:
- 01 – the visa is issued for the purpose of visiting the country;
- 02 – issued for the purpose of visiting family members or friends living in Poland;
- 03 – the document is issued when the applicant will participate in a sports event;
- 04 – the document is issued for business purposes in Poland;
- 05 – it provides the right to work in this country for a period of a maximum 6 months, under specific situations prescribed by the Polish migration law;
- O5b – for seasonal work for a period of no more than 9 months;
- 06 – for other types of employment, which is issued alongside a work permit.
In total, there are 23 legal grounds (including the ones presented above) for which a person can request the issuance of a visa in this country. The document can be requested when the foreigner is involved in a teaching or research activity, but it can also be obtained if a foreign citizen needs medical treatment in Poland.
It can be used as a way of moving to Poland, but only in very specific situations (family member of an EU citizen, family member of a repatriate, etc.).
Is it hard to obtain a Polish D visa?
No, it is not difficult to obtain the visa, as long as you meet the application and document requirements. Our Polish immigration lawyers, for example, recommend you do the following to increase your chances of obtaining it:
- make sure your passport is not about to expire: it must have a minimum validity of 3 months (we advise on a 6-month validity), and at least 2 blank pages;
- ensure the photograph you include in the application dossier is not older than 6 months;
- the minimum value of the health insurance is EUR 30,000, so it is important to also check this detail;
- make sure the bank statement you submit as proof of self-sufficiency is no older than 3 months.
How long does it take for the visa to be processed?
Processing times vary depending on the reason for issuing the visa. For example, when issued for employment purposes, it may take for about 3 weeks to be processed, while for other reasons, the period may extend to one and a half months.
Can I apply for a D visa if I want to reunite with a family member living in Poland?
Yes, there are several categories of the visa enabling you to obtain a Polish national D visa for family reunification purposes, such as:
- the 17 annotation issued for a family reunion with a relative who was repatriated;
- the 17 a annotation issued to foreign relatives of permanent residence card holders;
- the 17b annotation available for British citizens joining another UK national who moved to Poland under the Withdrawal Agreement
- the 22D visa, which is available for foreign citizens joining Polish temporary residence permit holders.
What are the minimum daily amounts to ensure proof of self-sufficiency under the Polish D visa?
This type of document offers the possibility of staying in Poland for a determined period of time, but it also provides its holders the right of free movement in the Schengen area, as per the regulations of the European Commission. A minimum of PLN 300 (approx. EUR 70) is required for stays of a maximum of 4 days. For longer periods, at least PLN 75 (approx. EUR 20) per day is required.
We invite you to contact our immigration lawyers in Poland for legal advice on how to obtain the D-type visa.
