• Aliens may cross the border of the Republic of Poland if they hold a valid passport (other travel document recognized by Polish authorities) and an appropriate visa. Visa requirement was waived for citizens of some countries (see list below). The passport validity must exceed the required date of departure from Poland by at least 3 months.
• An alien entering the territory of the Republic of Poland must prove upon the request of the border authority that he/she has the means (including funds) necessary to cover the costs of his/her entry into, transit through, stay and departure from the territory of the Republic of Poland and the permission to enter another state or to return to his/her country of origin, if such permission is required.
• An alien entering and departing Poland and any other EU countries, carrying the amount in cash (shares, bonds, traveler checks) of 10.000 EURO or more must declare it to the custom authorities.
• An alien entering Poland must possess  travel/medical insurance to cover possible medical expenses for at least 30.000 EURO (equivalent in USD) and 100 zlotys (equivalent in USD) per day for accommodation and sustenance.
• In accordance with the provisions of law, the Polish border guard has the sole authority to admit an alien into the territory of the Republic of Poland at the port of entry. This rule pertains to both aliens traveling on passports only, when no visa is required on the basis of bilateral agreements, and those to whom a visa had been issued at a Polish consular post abroad.

US Citizens can travel to Poland for tourism for up to 90 days without visa. Visas for U.S. citizens are free of charge.

II. VISAS ISSUED BY POLISH CONSULATES

Since December 21^st 2007 Poland has been a part of the Schengen area formed by 25 States  (Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Norway, Iceland, Switzerland), a territory with no checks at internal borders

UNIFORM VISAS which entitle the holder to enter and stay in the Schengen territory:

• AIRPORT TRANSIT VISA valid only for airport transit, does not entitle the holder to leave the transit zone of the airport. Airport transit visas are issued to citizens of certain countries traveling through Poland to another country. Under the airport transit visa the traveler is allowed to spend a maximum of 2 days in the international zone of Polish airport. Travelers applying for an airport transit visa must first present a visa to the country of their final destination.

  Citizens of the following countries must apply for airport transit visa: Islamic State of Afghanistan, Bangladesh People's Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, State of Eritrea, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Iraq, Islamic Republic of Iran, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Somali Democratic Republic, Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

• TRANSIT VISA valid for transit through the Schengen territory for a period not exceeding 5 days. Transit visas are issued to persons traveling through Poland to another country. Under the transit visa traveler is allowed to spend a maximum of up to 5 days on Polish territory. Travelers applying for a transit visa must first present a visa to the country of their final destination,

• SHORT-STAY VISA valid for stays of no more than 90 days per period of 180 days. Short-stay visas are issued for travelers going to Poland for reasons of tourism, visit, carrying out economic or cultural activities, participation in international conferences or sport events, business, education etc. Visa permits continuous stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland or multiple consecutive period of stay not exceeding jointly 90 days within the period of 180 days.

NATIONAL VISAS which entitle the holder to enter and stay only in the territory of the issuing State:

• LONG-STAY VISAS valid only for the territory of Poland. Visa permits continues stay or multiple periods of stay not exceeding jointly one year within the period of validity of visa. Long-stay national visas entitle their holders to a maximum 5 days visa free transit through the Schengen territory only once. Long-stay visas are issued for travelers going to Poland for reasons of work, education, carrying out economic or cultural activities, tourism, visit etc. Visa permits continuous stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland or multiple consecutive period of stay not exceeding jointly 1 year within the period of validity of visa.

CAUTION: ACCORDING TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S SUGGESTIONS, FOREIGNERS WHO INTEND TO STAY IN POLAND LONGER THAN FOR ONE YEAR, ARE SUPPOSED TO APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT IN THE VOIEVODHSHIP OFFICE (URZĄD WOJEWÓDZKI) IN POLAND. HOLDERS OF TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMITS ARE ALLOWED TO ENTER THE SCHENGEN TERRITORY AND STAY THERE FOR PERIOD NOT EXCEEDING 90 DAYS IN 6 MONTHS PERIOD.

III. FORMAL REQUIREMENTS

CAUTION: IN ORDER TO BE ISSUED A VISA, AN APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT ALL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED. VISA APPLICATION WILL NOT BE PROCESSED IF THE APPLICANT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH THE INSTRUCTION BELOW. THE CONSULATE GENERAL OF POLAND IN LOS ANGELES WILL RETURN INCOMPLETE DOCUMENTATION AT APPLICANT'S OWN RISK AND EXPENSE.

When applying for a visa one MUST submit:

1. Obligatory documents required for all visa types

• Passport. It must be signed and valid for at least 3 months from the date of intended departure from Poland, with at least one blank visa page (excluding the amendments/endorsements pages at the back) + one copy;
• Visa Application Form filled out and signed by the applicant. All entries of the form should be properly filled out (no blanks);
• Two passport size photographs:

  The photo needs to display a full frontal view of the face. The size of the face from the bottom of your chin to the hairline must be between 1 Ľ inches and 1 3/8 inches. Please look directly into the camera with a neutral expression and without smiling.

  The facial image must be sharp, clear, and with sufficient contrast. Please avoid photos with reflections or shadows on the face or with red eyes. The background should be neutral and light, providing sufficient contrast to the face and hair (a neutral gray). Reflection from glasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses is not permitted. The eyes cannot be hidden by the glass frames.

  The photo needs to be printed on high-quality paper with at least 600 dpi resolution; the colors must present a natural appearance and skin tone. The photo must not have kinks, scratches or stains.

• Notarized copy of a US Permanent Resident Card (green card) or other document confirming status in the US (this point concerns the non-U.S. citizens)
• Bank statements from the last 3 months                                                                                                                                                                                    
• Confirmation letter from health insurance company stating coverage with a minimum of 30.000 EURO (equivalent in USD) for trips outside the US, CAUTION: The amount of insurance coverage must be shown in the letter
• Reference letter from employer

• In case of transit visa -  visa for country of final destination and confirmed airline ticket;
• In case of visit friends/relatives - invitation from friends/relatives in Poland;
• In case of tourist visit - proof of travel/hotel reservation, airline reservation;
• In case of business trip - business references (letter from US employer, invitation from Polish company or organization, stating that it will bear all accumulating expenses), proof of hotel reservation and airline reservation;
• In case of student visa  - letter of acceptance of a Polish university/language school/college, PROOF of sufficient founds to stay in Poland

CAUTION: ACCORDING TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S SUGGESTIONS, FOREIGNERS WHO INTEND TO STAY IN POLAND LONGER THAN FOR ONE YEAR, ARE SUPPOSED TO APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT IN THE VOIEVODHSHIP OFFICE (URZĄD WOJEWÓDZKI) IN POLAND.

• In case of employment in Poland - work promise or certificate of employment (when applicable)

Caution: persons who intend to work in Poland must submit a valid work promise certificate issued by appropriate local executive authorities (Office of Wojewoda) in Poland or an employer's written declaration confirming the intention to employ the alien if the work permit is not required. Visas for the purpose of carrying out work are issued only by the Polish Consul at the office appropriate for the applicant's legal permanent residence, for the period of stay not exceeding one year, relevant to the period indicated in the promise or the employer's written declaration. Employment without prior authorization is strictly prohibited. English language teachers planning to work in Poland at universities (colleges) instead of the work promise certificate must submit Certificate of Employment issued by president of that university/college.

CAUTION: ACCORDING TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION'S SUGGESTIONS, FOREIGNERS WHO INTEND TO STAY IN POLAND LONGER THAN FOR ONE YEAR, ARE SUPPOSED TO APPLY FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT IN THE VOIEVODHSHIP OFFICE (URZĄD WOJEWÓDZKI) IN POLAND.

• Visa fee in the specified amount (see separate information). Acceptable forms of payment for consular fees are: cash, Money Order, Traveler's Checks or certified checks payable to The Consulate of Poland in LA. Personal checks are not accepted. Please note that visa fees are not refundable.
• SAS prepaid envelope (UPS or FedEx only) or check (Money Order or cashier's check) for amount of 16 USD.

Caution: THE CONSULATE GENERAL WILL PROCESS THE COMPLETE APPLICATIONS ONLY. IN EVERY CASE WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO ASK FOR ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION OR TO CONDUCT A PERSONAL INTERVIEW WITH THE APPLICANT.

Visa requirement does not apply to the citizens of the members of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Estonia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Germany, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Slovak Republic, Sweden, Hungary, Italy, Great Britain and citizens of: Andorra, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, Switzerland. Citizens of Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia are allowed to enter Schengen area without visa with new biometrics passports only.

Citizens of the following countries are waived from use requirement if stay in Poland up to 90 days.

CLICK FOR INFORMATION

25% discount applies to minors and students under 26 years of age (student ID required) - 66 USD

No fees for U.S. citizens and  foreigners who are members of EU citizen's family (spouse, child, dependent ascendant)

NOTICE:

Regular visa processing time takes from 10 to 14 business days. In some cases the procedure may be extended.

Please note that the Consulate does not bear any responsability for travel tickets bought before the issuance of visa.

Please note that there are additional Entry requirements that apply to all travelers regardless whether they travel to Poland with or without a visa

Please apply for visa with the appropriate Polish consulate in accordance with territorial jurisdiction.