Visa Information

If you are planning to stay in Poland territory or in the territory of all Schengen countries for up to 90 days (for one or more entries) for a period of six months, counted from the date of the first entry, or travel throughout the Schengen area to transit (train, car, airplane), you should apply for a Schengen visa С.

The States of the Schengen agreement are: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

The applicant can submit the documents not earlier than six months prior to the intended travel (for seamen: not earlier than nine months prior to the intended travel).

The main legislative acts for the adoption of the decisions, connected with the consideration of visa applications, is the Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council (EC) № 810/2009 of 13 July 2009 establishing the EU Visa Agreement, Regulation (EU) 2019/1155 of the European Parliament and of the Council of of 20 June 2019 amending Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code) and the Agreement between the European Community and the Russian Federation on the facilitation of the issuance of visas to the citizens of the European Union and the Russian Federation.

Please be informed that in accordance to the article 5 of the EU Visa Agreement:

1. By the state-member, the competent to consider the petition for granting of a visa and take the solution is:

   1. the member state whose territory is the only destination of travel (trips);

   2. if the journey involves multiple destinations, - the member state, territory which is the main destination of the trip (trip) from the point of view of the length or purpose of stay, or

   3. if the main destination cannot be determined, the member state, through the external border of which the applicant intends to carry out the entrance to the territory the state-member.

2. A state-member which is competent to consider the petition for granting of a visa for transit through the airport and take the solution is:

   1. in case of transit through only one airport to the state-member in whose territory the transit airport is situated, or

   2. in case of transit through two or more airports - state-member on whose territory is located the first transit airport.

Please be informed that bilateral agreements on the facilitation of the visa regime applied in respect of the following States: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cape Verde, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.

From 14 September 2015, all applicants for Schengen visa (C) are required to appear in person in Visa Application Center to provide the fingerprints. Next time fingerprints should be captured after 59 months.

From the mandatory fingerprints capture procedure exempt the following categories:

• Children under 12 years;

• Persons who fingerprinting is physically impossible ,

• Heads of State or Government, along with their accompanying spouses and members of the official delegation,

The term of consideration of visa applications.

The processing time for visa application is accepted within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the visa application and documents required for visa issuance, this period may be extended up to a maximum of 30 days, if there is a need for a more detailed consideration of the visa application.

In urgent cases, the decision can be made within 5 working days or less prior to scheduled arrival date, then the visa fee of EUR 70 (this period may be extended up to a maximum of 30 days, if there is a need for a more detailed consideration of the visa application.). Applicable for Russian and Ukrainian citizens only.

The territorial competence of the consulates:

In accordance with article 6 of the EU Visa Agreement: review of application and adoption of it solutions provides the competent Consulate of a member state, in the consular district of which resided lawfully petitioner. Consulate of the competent member state shall consider the petition, filed by a third-country national who is lawfully present but not resident in its consular district, and makes a decision if the petitioner has substantiated the application to this Consulate. In accordance article 7 of the EU Visa Agreement competence to issue visas to third country nationals who are lawfully within the territory of a member state, third country nationals who are lawfully within the territory of a member state which is required to have a visa to enter the territory of one or more other the member States submit their application for visa to the Consulate of a member state, the competent according to paragraphs 1 or 2 of article 5. Visa applications should be submitted to the territorially competent consular office under registration on a residence or the address of actual residence (determined in accordance with the place of work, business or study).

The consular district of the Consulate General of Republic of Poland in Kaliningrad covers:

Kaliningrad region.

Principles of calculation of days of staying in the Schengen area:

Every foreigner who plans his journey in the Schengen area should check whether they has the right to enter the area, and how long can they stay, regardless of the period of validity of the visa.

These calculations need to be made at each scheduled entry and stay in the Schengen area.

Date of entry is the first day of stay on the territory of member States, and the day of departure-the last day of stay on the territory of the member States.

When calculating the length of stay on the territory of the member States are not taken into account periods of stay on the basis of the permission to stay or long-stay visa (type D), as well as the resolution on the so-called "local border movement."

The term " everyone" means, the need to "move" the beginning of the 180-day monitoring period in the past for each day of stay (as of the day of arrival and day of the validation process) during the 180-day period for checking the performance of the 90/180 - day conditions.

Being in Bulgaria, Croatia, Ireland, Romania and Cyprus will not be taken into account, because these countries are not part of the Schengen area. Thus, a stopover in countries that are not members of the EU, but in the Schengen area: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland will be taken into account when checking the conditions 90/180 days.

The application that facilitates the calculation of days of stay of a foreigner abroad, to determine the possibility to use the period of the following visas - this calculator Schengen.

It is available on the website of the European Commission: click here

The calculator is an auxiliary device, it does not give the right to stay during the period resulting from the count. To apply the provisions and decisions concerning the length of legal residence or of its violation can only border service of each of the States of the Schengen zone

Calculator checks only the principle of 90 days per 180 days, and does not calculate the actual duration of stay on the duration of stay, located on the visa sticker, as well as in relation to the period of visa validity.

Information for family members of EU citizen:

Consideration of visa applications family members of EU citizen is in accordance with a simplified procedure for issuing visas, as defined by the Act of 14 July 2006 on the entrance to the territory of Poland, stay and departure from the territory of citizens of member States of the EU and their family members, which implements the provisions of Directive 2004/38 The European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2006 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move freely and reside in the territory of the member States.

A family member of an EU citizen is entitled to a free visa in the shortest possible time and according to the simplified procedure.

Visa applications of family members of citizens of the EU/European economic area/Swiss may be submitted directly to the Consular Department without prior registration.

Specific rules for accepting visa applications.

1. EU citizens are citizens of the EU Member States, citizens of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states that are parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and citizens of the Swiss Confederation.
   

   The family members of an EU citizen are:

   1. a spouse,

   2. a registered partner,:

   3. a child under 21 dependant on the parent who is a citizen of an EU Member State, on the spouse or on the registered partner of a citizen of an EU Member State,

2. a parent dependant on a citizen of an EU Member State, on the spouse or on the registered partner of a citizen of an EU Member State.

   
   

   To obtain a visa you are required to submit the following documents:

   1. filled in and signed visa application form - printed out from our website,

   2. valid passport,

   3. biometric photograph,

   4. document proving the relation mentioned in point 2,

   5. document proving the fact of accompanying or joining an EU citizen.

Refusal to grant a visa

The visa is refused when:

The data of the foreigner are present in the register of foreigners whose stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland is undesirable or it is justified by national security or defense, the protection of public safety and order or the interest of the Republic of Poland.

The refusal to grant a visa is a consular decision. Such decision may be appealed through the Wojewódzki Sąd Administracyjny w Warszawie.

Since 02 February 2020 the refusal form is issued and handed over to the applicant only in the language of the country making the decision. Please, find an example of the refusal form here.

Legal bases:

Act of 14 July 2006 on the entry on the territory of the Republic of Poland, stay and exit from this territory of the EU citizens and members of their families ((Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland, 11 August 2006, item 1525)[1]

Act of 12 December 2013 on the foreigners (Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland, 30 December 2013, item 1650)

Act of 25 June 2015 – consular law (Journal of Laws of the Republic of Poland, 31 August 2015, item 1274)

[1] This act incorporates in the national legal system the European Parliament and Council Directive 2004/38/EC of 29 April 2004 on the right of citizens of the Union and their family members to move and reside freely within the territory of the EU and EEA member states (Journal of Laws of the EU, 30 April 2004).

To get more information you can visit web-sites of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland and web-site of the Republic of Poland.

In cases of urgent matters and upon authorized documents provided Consulate of Poland can make a decision on your visa application on urgent basis. In this case, the fee will amount to 70 euros. This service is available only to citizens of Russia and Ukraine.

You can pay the consular fee at Visa Application Centre in rubles as per central banks rate + 2% applicable at the day of submitting your application

Attention:

1. Visa Application Centre charges service fee of 11,19 euro (including VAT) (payable in rubles as per central banks rate + 2% applicable at the day of submitting your application) .Service fee is paid in cash in rubles.
2. The above mentioned fees are related for the processing of the visa application and are non-refundable in case of refusal of a visa.
3. Children under 6 years having citizenship of Russia are exempt from visa fees, and children with citizenship of other countries - may be waived from consular fee only by decision of Consul or according to the Visa Facilitation Agreement between EU and country of citizenship.
4. Children with citizenship of Ukraine and Moldova, under 18 as well as senior citizens of Ukraine and Georgia who provide the pensioner's certificate are exempted from paying the visa fee.
5. Foreigners who receive repatriation visa (on the basis of separate regulations), as well as close relatives of immigrant family, moving together to a permanent place of residence in Poland, receive visas free of charge.
6. All other exemptions from charges described in art. 6 Agreement on visa issuance "EU-Russia".
7. Citizens of Albania and Moldova, having a biometric passport are exempted from having to obtain a visa.
8. Citizens of the Russian Federation who have the I, II or III disability group, as well as one accompanying person shall be exempt from payment of consular fee.*

9. Following categories of persons are exempt from paying service fee in case of applying for short-term visa:

   • Children under 6 years old.
   • Disabled persons with any type of disability group and the person accompanying the disabled of Group I

* Applicants applying for a visa for business purposes, are not exempt from the visa fee even if there is a certificate of disability.

The applicant, accompanying a disabled person may be exempted from paying fees only during one-time submission of documents together with accompanying disabled.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

According to the Federal law of the Russian Federation №152-ФЗ “On personal data” all applicants should sign “The consent to the processing of personal data”. Please note that an applicant who submits his/her documents through his/her close relative should also prepare this document in advance and submit it along with his/her Application. You can find the required document below:

“The consent to the processing of personal data”

	Tourism*
	Visiting relatives and friends
	Official and business travel
	Sports, scientific or cultural activity. Participants in official exchange programs
	Seamen
	Medical visa
	Transit
	Drivers
	Study

General requirements

• Photo for each visa applicant must be an un mounted, full face photo as described below

• Photo must be taken within the last 6 months, for small children within the last 3 months.

Photo size:

Photo submitted must measure as below mentioned

• 35 mm x 45 mm with the head centered in the frame.

• The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure about 30 mm

Photo Appearance

• The photo must be a full-face front view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly, with closed mouth, without smile.

• The face should cover about 70-80 percent of the photo area.

• The photo must be in color, made on matte or glossy paper and have only a white background. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted.

• In general, the applicant's head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed.

• Sunglasses or other wear, which detracts from the face, are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).

• A photo depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.

• Photographs of children must show a clear image that is a true likeness of the child. The eyes should be open and if you need to support a baby’s head, it is important, that your hand cannot be seen in the photograph.

• Photo with clothes covering the neck (hooded jacket, sweater with a high collar, etc.) is not acceptable.

Attention: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photos presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete

We have a pleasure to inform you that you can use the form filling service in Poland Visa Application Centre. Professional specialists will fill in and print out the application form for you at the counter while you are applying for the visa. This service will help you to significantly save time during submission of the visa application.

Visa center of Poland in Kaliningrad accept typed visa application forms. Visa application forms manually filled are not acceptable.

Register and print out the visa application form

National visa D

If you plan to stay in the territory of Poland in general more than 90 days (up to a minimum of 91 days, for one or more entries) for 180-days period, counting from the date of the first entry, you must apply for a national visa D.

Visa type "D" is a national visa. Type "D" visa is issued to foreign nationals who wish to study in the schools and universities of Poland or to work in Poland, as well as to holders of the Card of Pole.

National visa D gives the right to:

• stay in the territory of Poland during the period of stay and the period of validity of the visa;

• move in the territory of other Schengen countries, up to 3 months within a half-year;

Visa processing period

The processing time for visa application is accepted within 7 working days from the date of receipt of the visa application and documents required for visa issuance, this period may be extended up to a maximum of 30 days, if there is a need for a more detailed consideration of the visa application.

In urgent cases, the decision can be made within 5 working days or less prior to scheduled arrival date, then the visa fee of EUR 110 (this period may be extended up to a maximum of 30 days, if there is a need for a more detailed consideration of the visa application.).

The territorial competence of the consulates:

In accordance with article 6 of the EU Visa Agreement: review of application and adoption of it solutions provides the competent Consulate of a member state, in the consular district of which resided lawfully petitioner. Consulate of the competent member state shall consider the petition, filed by a third-country national who is lawfully present but not resident in its consular district, and makes a decision if the petitioner has substantiated the application to this Consulate. In accordance article 7 of the EU Visa Agreement competence to issue visas to third country nationals who are lawfully within the territory of a member state, third country nationals who are lawfully within the territory of a member state which is required to have a visa to enter the territory of one or more other the member States submit their application for visa to the Consulate of a member state, the competent according to paragraphs 1 or 2 of article 5. Visa applications should be submitted to the territorially competent consular office under registration on a residence or the address of actual residence (determined in accordance with the place of work, business or study).

The consular district of the Consulate General of Republic of Poland in Kaliningrad covers:

Kaliningrad region.

In case of urgency the Consulate can process your application for long term visa within 5 working days (or less).

You can pay the consular fee at Visa Application Centre in rubles as per central banks rate + 2% applicable at the day of submitting your application

ATTENTION:

1. There is a Visa Application Centre service fee in equivalent of 11,19 euro according to the exchange rate of Central Bank + 2%. Service fee is paid in cash in rubles.

2. The above mentioned fees are related for the processing of the visa application and are non-refundable in case of refusal of a visa.

3. Citizens of the Russian Federation who have the I, II or III disability group, as well as accompanying the disabled of Group I shall be exempt from payment of consular fee. *

4. Holders of the Card of Pole are exempt from consular fee.

5. Following categories of persons are exempt from paying service fee in case of applying for long-term visa:

   • Children under 6 years old.

   • Disabled persons with any type of disability group and the person accompanying the disabled of Group I

* Applicants applying for a visa for business purposes, are not exempt from the visa fee even if there is a certificate of disability.

The applicant, accompanying a disabled person may be exempted from paying fees only during one-time submission of documents together with accompanying disabled.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

According to the Federal law of the Russian Federation №152-ФЗ “On personal data” all applicants should sign “The consent to the processing of personal data”. Please note that an applicant who submits his/her documents through his/her close relative should also prepare this document in advance and submit it along with his/her Application. You can find the required document below:

“The consent to the processing of personal data”

	Work
	Study
	Holders of the Card of Pole

General requirements

• Photo for each visa applicant must be an un mounted, full face photo as described below

• Photo must be taken within the last 6 months, for small children within the last 3 months.

Photo size:

Photo submitted must measure as below mentioned

• 35 mm x 45 mm with the head centered in the frame.

• The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure about 30 mm

Photo Appearance

• The photo must be a full-face front view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly, with closed mouth, without smile.

• The face should cover about 70-80 percent of the photo area.

• The photo must be in color, made on matte or glossy paper and have only a white background. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted.

• In general, the applicant's head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed.

• Sunglasses or other wear, which detracts from the face, are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).

• A photo depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.

• Photographs of children must show a clear image that is a true likeness of the child. The eyes should be open and if you need to support a baby’s head, it is important, that your hand cannot be seen in the photograph.

• Photo with clothes covering the neck (hooded jacket, sweater with a high collar, etc.) is not acceptable.

Attention: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photos presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete

We have a pleasure to inform you that you can use the form filling service in Poland Visa Application Centre. Professional specialists will fill in and print out the application form for you at the counter while you are applying for the visa. This service will help you to significantly save time during submission of the visa application.

Visa center of Poland in Kaliningrad accept typed visa application forms. Visa application forms manually filled are not acceptable.

Register and print out the visa application form

Poland Visa Application Center in Kaliningrad also accept documents for short-term Schengen visas to the Netherlands.
All national visas and a Schengen visa with a work permission, study permission and long stay are available in the Netherlands Consulate General in St. Petersburg.
List of documents for visa processing in the Netherlands does not differ from the list of required documents for the Polish visa.

Attention! An invitation should be sent in English, Polish or Russian. If the invitation is written in the Dutch language, you must provide the original document and its notarized translation into the Russian/English/Polish language.

For more information visit the site of the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in St. Petersburg.

In cases of urgent matters and upon authorized documents provided Consulate of Poland can make a decision on your visa application on urgent basis. In this case, the fee will amount to 70 euros. This service is available only to citizens of Russia and Ukraine.

You can pay the consular fee at Visa Application Centre in rubles as per central banks rate + 2% applicable at the day of submitting your application

Attention:

1. Visa Application Centre charges service fee of 11,19 euro (including VAT) (payable in rubles as per central banks rate + 2% applicable at the day of submitting your application) .Service fee is paid in cash in rubles.
2. The above mentioned fees are related for the processing of the visa application and are non-refundable in case of refusal of a visa.
3. Children under 6 years having citizenship of Russia are exempt from visa fees, and children with citizenship of other countries - may be waived from consular fee only by decision of Consul or according to the Visa Facilitation Agreement between EU and country of citizenship.
4. Children with citizenship of Ukraine and Moldova, under 18 as well as senior citizens of Ukraine and Georgia who provide the pensioner's certificate are exempted from paying the visa fee.
5. Foreigners who receive repatriation visa (on the basis of separate regulations), as well as close relatives of immigrant family, moving together to a permanent place of residence in Poland, receive visas free of charge.
6. All other exemptions from charges described in art. 6 Agreement on visa issuance "EU-Russia".
7. Citizens of Albania and Moldova, having a biometric passport are exempted from having to obtain a visa.
8. Citizens of the Russian Federation who have the I, II or III disability group, as well as one accompanying person shall be exempt from payment of consular fee.*

9. Following categories of persons are exempt from paying service fee in case of applying for short-term visa:

   • Children under 6 years old.
   • Disabled persons with any type of disability group and the person accompanying the disabled of Group I

* Applicants applying for a visa for business purposes, are not exempt from the visa fee even if there is a certificate of disability.

The applicant, accompanying a disabled person may be exempted from paying fees only during one-time submission of documents together with accompanying disabled.

Travel insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, please click here

According to the Federal law of the Russian Federation №152-ФЗ “On personal data” all applicants should sign “The consent to the processing of personal data”. Please note that an applicant who submits his/her documents through his/her close relative should also prepare this document in advance and submit it along with his/her Application. You can find the required document below:

“The consent to the processing of personal data”

List of documents according to the trip purpose

	Visit of relatives / friends
	Tourism

List of documents for visa processing in the Netherlands with other trip purposes does not differ from the list of required documents for the Polish visa.

All national visas and a Schengen visa with a work permission, study permission and long stay are available in the Netherlands Consulate General in St. Petersburg.

General requirements

• Photo for each visa applicant must be an un mounted, full face photo as described below

• Photo must be taken within the last 6 months, for small children within the last 3 months.

Photo size:

Photo submitted must measure as below mentioned

• 35 mm x 45 mm with the head centered in the frame.

• The head (measured from the top of the hair to the bottom of the chin) should measure about 30 mm

Photo Appearance

• The photo must be a full-face front view in which the visa applicant is facing the camera directly, with closed mouth, without smile.

• The face should cover about 70-80 percent of the photo area.

• The photo must be in color, made on matte or glossy paper and have only a white background. Photos with dark, busy, or patterned backgrounds will not be accepted.

• In general, the applicant's head, including both face and hair, should be shown from the crown of the head to the tip of the chin on top and bottom and from hairline side-to-side. It is preferable that ears be exposed.

• Sunglasses or other wear, which detracts from the face, are not acceptable unless required for medical reasons (an eye patch, for example).

• A photo depicting a person wearing a traditional facemask or veil that does not permit adequate identification is not acceptable.

• Photographs of children must show a clear image that is a true likeness of the child. The eyes should be open and if you need to support a baby’s head, it is important, that your hand cannot be seen in the photograph.

• Photo with clothes covering the neck (hooded jacket, sweater with a high collar, etc.) is not acceptable.

Attention: Please follow these instructions carefully. If photos presented do not meet these requirements your application will be considered incomplete

We have a pleasure to inform you that you can use the form filling service in Poland Visa Application Centre. Professional specialists will fill in and print out the application form for you at the counter while you are applying for the visa. This service will help you to significantly save time during submission of the visa application.

Visa center of Poland in Kaliningrad accept typed visa application forms. Visa application forms manually filled are not acceptable.

Register and print out the visa application form