One of the visa types that can be obtained by foreigners moving to Poland for a short period is the Schengen Visa. The document can allow the applicant the right of free movement at the level of all the Schengen member states or it can provide limited access, to a country, such as Poland, or a few countries included in the Schengen area. Those wishing to apply for a Schengen visa can request information from our immigration lawyers in Poland.
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What types of Schengen visas can be obtained in Poland?
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, the Schengen visa, which is known as the C-type visa, is divided into two categories of visas. One can apply for the Uniform Schengen Visa, which grants the right of movement in all the Schengen member states for a maximum of 90 days within 180 days, or the Schengen Visa with Limited Territorial Validity.
With regards to the maximum period allocated in the case of the latter Poland Schengen visa, it must be noted that the same characteristics are applied, as is the case of the Uniform Schengen Visa, the main difference between the two is that the visa with limited territoriality can provide the right to Poland migration for a given purpose or it can be extended to the right of visiting several Schengen states.
We can also help you apply for residency in Poland.
Who is eligible to apply for a Poland Schengen visa?
If you plan to apply for a Schengen visa at the Polish embassy, you must meet specific conditions:
You are one of the following:
- An applicant who is a citizen of the host country.
- A foreign citizen holding a permanent or temporary residence permit in the country where you are applying.
Poland is your primary destination, meaning:
- You are only visiting Poland.
- You will spend more days in Poland than in other Schengen countries.
- You will spend an equal number of days in each country but enter the Schengen Zone through Poland.
Notably, you cannot request a short-stay Polish visa from a country where you are currently on a visa.
If you have additional questions on the eligibility of acquiring a Schengen visa for Poland, please consult with our lawyers.
How can a foreigner apply for a Poland Schengen visa?
There are certain obligations a foreigner must meet when requesting a visa. Not all visa applications will be accepted by the local authorities and, to make sure that the application passes the initial processing, it must contain all the documents required under the applicable law.
One of the main requirements is to have a traveling document, which, in this case, is represented by the passport. It must be noted that the issuing and expiration dates of the document are of high importance also. As such, foreigners must be aware that their passport must be issued during the last 10 years before their visa request, and it must be valid for at least three months after the date of the visa expiration.
The foreigner must complete and sign the visa application form, which contains personal information on the applicant, his or her family relations with citizens of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA), and the type of passport the person has (diplomatic, service, or ordinary passport), the proof that the person has paid the visa application fee, as well as photographs.
When applying for Poland immigration through a Schengen visa, which grants the right to short-term stays in this country, the foreigner must be aware that the issuance is bound by proof of having travel medical insurance.
More than this, the applicant must provide proof of having enough financial means to cover the cost of living in the given period (this visa can’t be used for employment purposes). The visa application form must provide clear information on the place where the person will live in Poland, a document that will show the purpose of the stay, but also clear evidence that the departure of the foreigner will take place before the expiration of the document.
To initiate the visa application process for Poland immigration, follow these steps:
- Start by locating the nearest Polish embassy or consulate in your country. You can conveniently do this by getting in touch with our immigration lawyers in Poland.
- Next, secure an appointment for your visa application at the embassy. Our Polish lawyers can also make an appointment on your behalf.
- Gather all the necessary documents as per the provided checklist. Remember to settle the visa fee, which can typically be paid online. If you are interested in Poland migration, our lawyers can offer you a list of visa-related costs.
- Proceed to submit all your meticulously collected documents along with the completed application form to the embassy. This step will also involve a personal interview during which you may be asked questions concerning the purpose of your visit and your overall disposition towards the country.
- With your application submitted, await the decision. On average, statistics indicate that the embassy typically takes about 12-14 days to process and reach a decision regarding your visa application. If you are seriously planning to immigrate to Poland, the services of our lawyers are at your disposal.
Please be aware that the legal requirements can vary based on the nationality of the applicant and for detailed information on other documents that can be required in this situation, we invite you to request the assistance of our immigration lawyers in Poland, who are prepared to provide personalized advice. Our lawyers also offer legal assistance if you are planning to apply for residency in Poland.
Insurance requirement for a Polish Schengen visa
If you want to visit Poland and need a Schengen visa, you must get travel insurance. Even if you do not need a visa, it is a good idea to get insurance because medical costs can be expensive for foreigners, and you might have to pay for medicines. To obtain a Poland Schengen visa, your insurance should have:
- At least €30,000 of coverage for medical expenses;
- It should work in all the countries in the Schengen area;
- It should cover the cost of getting back to your home country if you get sick and need to go back for medical reasons.
If you have any further questions about the requirements of obtaining a Schengen visa for Poland, our lawyers can assist you. Get in touch with us to learn more about the list of services we offer in Poland.
How many Schengen visas were issued in Poland?
The Poland Schengen visa has one of the highest demands at the level of the Schengen states. Of the 26 Schengen countries, Poland represents the 8th most important jurisdiction with regard to the issuance of the Schengen visa. Below, we present the following data (on the issuance of visas in 2017):
- in 2017, all the Schengen member states issued a total of 14,6 million visas for short-stays;
- Poland received 823,101 applications for uniform Schengen visas;
- from this number, the Poland Schengen visa was granted to 789,343 persons;
- most of the Schengen visas issued by Poland were for multiple entry purposes (585,240 visas);
- from the total of visas issued here, the multiple entry visas accounted for 74,1%.
For more details on the Poland migration requirements applicable in the case of Schengen visas, as well as information on the institutions involved in this process, we invite you to consult our lawyers. Foreigners can also address our team of immigration lawyers in Poland for advice on how to apply for a long-term visa, a residence permit, or citizenship.
Investment is a way to obtain Polish citizenship. Even if an expedited procedure is not available, as permanent residency is granted first, this pathway comes with certain benefits. We invite you to discover what citizenship by investment implies and the minimum amount required to obtain it. We can also help you apply for it.
How can our immigration lawyers in Poland assist you?
Our team of immigration lawyers in Poland is here to provide expert assistance with your Schengen visa application for Poland. For instance, our lawyers can help with:
- Eligibility assessment: We can assess your eligibility and ensure you meet all the necessary criteria for a Schengen visa for Poland.
- Document preparation: Our Polish immigration lawyers can guide you in collecting and organizing all required documents, minimizing the risk of errors or omissions.
- Application submission: We can assist in completing the application and ensure that it is submitted to the appropriate authorities.
- Interview preparation: If an interview is required, our immigration lawyers in Poland can help you prepare by providing guidance and answering common interview questions.
- Legal guidance: Our lawyers can provide legal advice and support to address any legal complexities or concerns that may arise during the Schengen visa for Poland application process.
- Timely updates: We will keep you informed about the progress of your application and any important developments.
With the legal assistance of our experienced team, your Poland Schengen visa application can be well-prepared, increasing your chances of a successful outcome.
Besides all these services, our lawyers also offer help if you are interested in applying for citizenship in Poland.
Poland Schengen visa fee
Poland Schengen visa fees vary depending on the traveler’s age:
- Children under 6 years old are exempt from paying any visa fees;
- Children between the ages of 6 and 12 are charged a reduced fee of €40;
- For adult travelers, the fee is €80.
Furthermore, exemptions or reduced fees may apply based on the applicant’s nationality, the purpose of their visit, and other relevant factors. If you have any questions about the visa fee applicable in your case, please contact our immigration lawyers in Poland. They will not only guide you in this matter but also assist you in moving to Poland.
Besides this, it is important to note that extending a Poland Schengen visa is typically only permitted in exceptional circumstances, such as when new, unforeseen factors like humanitarian reasons or force majeure emerge after entering Poland. If you are planning to extend your Schengen visa for Poland, the services of our lawyers are at your disposal. They can review your circumstances and assist you accordingly regarding the extension possibility of your Poland Schengen visa.
