Overview of Poland
Poland, located in Central Europe, shares borders with Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, and Russia. With a population of nearly 38 million, Polish is the official language. The capital city, Warsaw, is renowned for its historical sites, including the Royal Castle and the Palace of Culture and Science. Poland became a member of the Schengen Area in 2007.
Poland Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Poland includes third country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Poland/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Poland:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third-party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for a Poland Schengen Visa
Applicants should submit their Poland Schengen visa applications no more than six months before their planned trip and no later than 15 calendar days prior to departure. It’s advisable to apply well in advance to accommodate potential processing delays.
Processing Time for Poland Schengen Visa
The processing time for a Poland Schengen visa typically ranges from 10 to 15 calendar days from the date of your application. However, during peak travel seasons or in individual cases, processing times may extend up to 30 or even 60 days. Therefore, it’s recommended to apply as early as possible to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.
Important Entry Notes
- Notification of Changes: If there are any changes to your travel itinerary after submitting your visa application, you must inform the Polish consulate or visa application center promptly. Failure to do so may result in the revocation of your visa.
- Visa Validity and Entry: Possession of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into Poland or the Schengen Area. Border authorities have the final decision on entry, and you may be required to provide additional documentation at the point of entry.
- Additional Documentation: Be prepared to present documents that verify your financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit upon arrival in Poland.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it’s recommended to consult the official Polish consulate or embassy in your country before planning your trip.
