Poland is a beautiful European country with rich history and culture. It is bustling with museums, resorts and scenery. Moreover, the greater possibility to grow both financially and socially is remarkable.

So, many Indians try to settle in the country. However, for this, one may need to apply for a visa. Also, if you are travelling to Poland, you will need valid travel insurance, as it has been mandatory since May 2022. To get in-depth details on how to apply for a visa for Poland, its types and other information, refer to the following information.

No, the Schengen country does not offer visas on arrival anymore. So, if you are an Indian citizen, you must hold a valid visa before boarding your flight. For this purpose, submit a visa application to your nearest Polish embassy or consulate.

It should be no earlier than three months and no later than three weeks before your trip. This is because if your visa request gets rejected, you can face financial and legal issues.

The following are the types of visas in Poland available for Indians to apply for:

• Schengen Visa: If the intention is to stay in Poland for not more than 90 days, you can obtain a Polish tourist visa. This visa allows its holder to carry medical treatment in the country and use it for travelling or business purposes. However, the name is such because, using this visa, the holder can visit any Schengen country without that particular country’s visa.
• Work Visa: If you want to work in Poland, apply for a Polish work visa. However, for this, you must have an employer willing to submit a request for a work permit at the local Voivodeship office on your behalf. However, remember there are different work permits applicable depending on the nature of business and the duration of stay. Also, you can start working after you obtain a work permit from your employer.
• Airport Transit Visa: With the help of a Poland airport transit visa, you become eligible to enter the international zone of the Poland area. However, this visa will not allow you to leave the airport to visit the country, even for a day. For that, you will need a regular Schengen visa.
• Family Visa: If you want to join your family or spouse living in Poland legally, you can apply for a Poland family visa. This visa will contain a validity of 2 years and allow you to work in the country for the time being. First, however, you must provide proof of your family status, birth or adoption certificate for children and marriage certificate for spouses.
• Student Visa: Those who belong to a non-EU country but have received an appointment letter from a university in Poland can get a Poland student visa to enter the country. He or she will be allowed to stay in the country till they complete their course.
• National D-Type Visa: If the intention is to stay in Poland for more than 90 days, i.e., at least 91 days, while your one or two visits to the country within half a year from the day of entry, then you need a Poland National D-type visa.

Refer to the following pointers to learn about Poland visa’s eligibility criteria for Indians:

• A candidate must hold a valid Indian passport while applying for a Poland visa.
• He or she should have travel insurance with a sufficient coverage amount.
• Only those candidates can apply whose purpose of travelling involves tourism, visiting a family or friend, and business. If the reason is employment, a candidate becomes ineligible to apply.

The following are the general document required to obtain a Poland visa from India:

• Duly signed and fully filled out Poland visa application form.
• Evidence of travel health insurance.
• Two recent passport-size photos.
• Copy of your passport with a validity expiring not earlier than three months after returning.
• Accommodation document of Poland
• A document containing the flight date and time
• Proof of sufficient finance
• Marriage certificate (if married)
• Evidence of visa fee payment.

Certain documents are specific to the type of Poland visa you are applying for. The details are as follows.

Work Visa

• Bank statement for the recent six months
• Certificate from your employer
• Business bank statement
• Invitation letter from a Polish company

Student Visa

• Proof of financial sustenance
• Certificate of attendance or completion of a course
• Enrolment certificate

Family/ Spouse Visa

• Polish family record
• Polish marriage certificate
• Proof of Polish citizenship

Airport Transit Visa

• Proof of visa of the final destination
• Visa or any other entry permit to the transit country

Schengen Visa

• Passport copies
• Bank statement for the recent six months
• Invitation letter containing a phone number and email address of the sponsor or family member

The standard Poland visa fees varies as per the type of the visa. For instance, an adult has to pay USD 78.65 (PLN 344.64) ( and kids between 6-12 years have to pay USD 39.33 (PLN 172.34) ( for a short-term visa. Furthermore, children below six years or certain students applying for the process are exempted from the application charge. 

Apart from this, the centre from which you will apply for a Schengen visa will charge you an extra service fee. However, it varies from place to place. Also, remember these fees are non-refundable. So, even if your application gets rejected, you will not receive this amount.

Disclaimer: The visa fees are subject to change, based on new immigration rules, the country in which you apply, the local currency and currency exchange rates.

The following is the process for Poland visa application. It includes an online method to fill out the application form and an offline mode to submit it:

Step 1:  First, you must determine the purpose of your visit to Poland to find the right type of visa to apply for.

Step 2: Find out the number of entries you will need to enter Poland and other Schengen countries.

Step 3: Gather all required documents.

Step 4: Schedule an appointment with the visa officials. You can either visit the consulate office or log into the site.

Step 5: Now fill out the application available on this site.

Step 6: Answer the required columns, and once completed, print and sign it. 

Step 7: Make the application payment.

Step 8: Visit the Polish Schengen application centre on your date of appointment and follow the rest of the procedures as asked.

A major Poland visa information that candidates often overlook is the processing time taken by the officials. As a result, they often miss the required time gap to obtain a visa before travel. It takes around 15 days for officials to consider your application under normal circumstances. However, it can extend up to 60 days in the days of difficulties and if there are complexities involved.

If you want to apply for a visa for Poland, here is all the information you would need to carry out the process successfully. In addition, it will teach you which visa type will be suitable for you depending on the purpose of your travel, eligibility criteria and other details.