Poland
Poland visa and residence permit guide
- 21 visa types
- checked 23 October 2026
How visas for Poland work
Poland is in the Schengen area, so short trips of up to 90 days in any 180 — tourism, family visits, business, events, treatment or transit — are made on a Schengen type C visa. Longer stays start with a Polish national type D visa, valid for up to one year and issued for a specific purpose such as work, studies, research, an internship or a visit.
Visas are applied for at the Polish consulate responsible for your place of legal residence. You fill in the form and book the appointment in e-Konsulat, the only official online registration system of Polish consulates; in some countries the consulate takes applications through a visa application centre run by an external service provider, which charges its own service fee. Applications are lodged in person. The Schengen visa fee is EUR 90 (EUR 45 for children aged 6 to under 12) and the national visa fee EUR 135; consulates may collect the equivalent in local currency.
To stay beyond a visa you apply in Poland to the voivode (regional governor) for a residence permit. Since 27 April 2026 temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term resident applications are filed only electronically in the Office for Foreigners' MOS portal, signed with a Polish trusted profile or qualified e-signature. Stamp duties range from PLN 170 to PLN 640, plus PLN 100 for the residence card.
Turkish citizens have two specific advantages: they are exempt from the local lists of surplus occupations for the single permit and the EU Blue Card, and, after 1, 3 and 4 years of legal employment in Poland, they gain progressively freer access to work under EEC–Türkiye Association Council Decision 1/80, backed by a dedicated residence permit.
Which visa do I need?
Trip of up to 90 days: Schengen visa — tourist, family visit (with an invitation), business, event, medical or transit. Staying in the airport transit area needs no visa unless your nationality is on the EU list of airport transit visa countries.
Job offer in Poland: the employer obtains a work permit, you get a D work visa, then a single permit in Poland; for highly paid specialist jobs (above PLN 13,355.34 gross a month in 2026) consider the EU Blue Card; for transfers within a multinational group, the ICT permit; for farm or tourism seasons, seasonal work.
University studies: D visa for studies, then a residence permit for studies; afterwards a one-time 9-month permit to look for work. Language courses, research and internships have their own D visa checklists.
Own business: temporary residence permit for business activity. Family: family reunification with a foreign resident, or the spouse permit if married to a Polish citizen. Long term: EU long-term residence after 5 years or permanent residence for eligible groups.
Visa types for Poland
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Schengen visa (type C) for tourism
Nationals of countries on the EU visa list need a Schengen visa (type C) to visit Poland as tourists.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area - Family and friends visit visa Schengen visa (type C) for visiting family or friends
To visit relatives or friends in Poland for up to 90 days you apply for a Schengen visa with an invitation from your host.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180 days (type C); longer visits need a national D visa valid up to 1 year - Transit visa Schengen visa (type C) for transit through Poland
If you have to enter Polish territory on your way to a country outside the Schengen area — for example driving through Poland to Ukraine or Belarus, or changing airports — you need a Schengen visa issued for transit, unless your nationality is visa-exempt.
Maximum stay: The time needed for the transit, as printed on the visa - Medical treatment visa Schengen visa (type C) for medical treatment
Planned treatment in a Polish hospital, clinic or sanatorium of up to 90 days is done on a Schengen visa for medical purposes.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area - Culture, sports and events visa Schengen visa (type C) for cultural, sports and conference events
Artists, athletes, coaches and conference participants travelling to an event in Poland apply for a Schengen type C visa with the organiser's invitation.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area
Business and self-employment
- Business visa Schengen visa (type C) for business and professional training
Business meetings, negotiations, trade fairs and short professional training in Poland are done on a Schengen type C visa.
Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen area - Self-employed and freelancer visa Temporary residence permit for conducting business activity
Foreigners who run a sole proprietorship registered in CEIDG, or manage a limited or joint-stock company, a limited partnership as general partner, or act as a proxy, can obtain a temporary residence permit for business activity for up to 3 years.
Maximum stay: More than 3 months up to 3 years
Study and training
- Student visa National visa (D) for studies and temporary residence permit for studies
Full-time bachelor's, master's and doctoral students come to Poland on a national D visa for studies from the Polish consulate responsible for their place of residence, then apply in Poland for a temporary residence permit for studies.
Maximum stay: D visa up to 1 year; residence permit 15 months at first, then the length of studies plus 3 months (max. 3 years) - Language course visa National visa (D) for a language course
Polish consulates issue a national D visa for attending a language course at a university, language school or institution in Poland.
Maximum stay: As stated on the D visa, at most 1 year; 90 days in any 180 in other Schengen states - Researcher visa National visa (D) and temporary residence permit for scientific research
Researchers invited by an approved Polish research institution come on a national D visa for scientific research and can then hold a temporary residence permit for up to 3 years.
Maximum stay: Permit for the duration of the research, from more than 3 months up to 3 years - Internship and trainee visa National visa (D) for an internship and temporary residence permit for an intern
Students and graduates of the last 2 years can do an internship linked to their studies in Poland.
Maximum stay: Intern permit: from more than 3 up to 6 months; D visa up to 1 year
Work
- Work visa Work visa (D) and temporary residence and work permit (single permit)
Most non-EU workers need three steps: the Polish employer obtains a work permit from the voivode, you apply with that permit for a national D visa for work at the Polish consulate responsible for your place of residence, and in Poland you can switch to a temporary residence and work permit (single permit) for up to 3 years.
Maximum stay: D visa up to 1 year; single permit from more than 3 months up to 3 years - EU Blue Card EU Blue Card – temporary residence permit for highly qualified work
The EU Blue Card in Poland is a single residence and work permit for highly qualified jobs.
Maximum stay: 3 months longer than the work contract, from more than 6 months up to 3 years - Job seeker visa Temporary residence permit to seek work after studies or research in Poland
Poland has no job seeker visa for people abroad, but graduates of Polish universities and researchers who have finished their research in Poland can get a one-time 9-month temporary residence permit to look for a job or prepare to run a business.
Maximum stay: 9 months, granted once - Intra-company transfer visa Temporary residence permit for an intra-corporate transfer (ICT)
Managers, specialists and trainee employees of a company based outside the EU can be transferred to a Polish branch or group company on an ICT permit.
Maximum stay: Up to 3 years for managers and specialists; up to 1 year for trainee employees - Seasonal work visa Seasonal work permit, seasonal work visa and residence permit for seasonal work
Seasonal work in Poland — in agriculture, horticulture, tourism and other activities listed by regulation — is allowed for at most 9 months in a calendar year.
Maximum stay: At most 9 months per calendar year, counted from the first entry into Schengen that year
Family
- Family reunification visa Temporary residence permit for family reunification
Spouses and minor children of non-EU foreigners living legally in Poland can obtain a temporary residence permit for family reunification.
Maximum stay: As long as the sponsor's permit; 3 years if the sponsor has permanent or long-term EU residence - Spouse and partner visa Temporary residence permit for the spouse of a Polish citizen
Foreign spouses of Polish citizens living in Poland can obtain a temporary residence permit for up to 3 years, with free access to the labour market.
Maximum stay: More than 3 months up to 3 years
Residence
- Residence permit Temporary residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy) and residence card
Foreigners who want to stay in Poland for more than 3 months on a basis other than a visa need a temporary residence permit, granted by the voivode for up to 3 years for a specific purpose such as work, study, business or family.
Maximum stay: More than 3 months up to 3 years, depending on the purpose - Permanent residence Permanent residence permit and EU long-term resident permit
Poland has two indefinite residence permits.
Maximum stay: Indefinite
Asylum and international protection
- Asylum and international protection International protection in Poland (refugee status and subsidiary protection)
Applications for international protection in Poland are lodged with the Border Guard, at the border or at any Border Guard unit inside the country, and decided by the Head of the Office for Foreigners.
Maximum stay: You may stay in Poland until the final decision; you must not leave during the procedure
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply for a Polish visa?
At the Polish consulate responsible for your place of legal residence, after registering in e-Konsulat. Some consulates take applications through a visa application centre run by an external service provider; the consulate's page on gov.pl says which applies in your country. For a Schengen visa, Poland must be your main destination.
How much does a Polish visa cost?
A Schengen visa costs EUR 90 (EUR 45 for children aged 6 to under 12, free under 6) and a national D visa EUR 135, set by the Polish Foreign Ministry from 1 June 2024. Consulates may collect the equivalent in local currency, and an external service provider adds its own service fee.
How long does a Polish visa take?
Schengen visas are normally decided within 15 calendar days (up to 45). National visas within 15 days, extendable to 30. Residence permits in Poland usually within 60 days of a complete application.
Can I switch from a tourist visa to a work permit in Poland?
No. Stays on a visa for tourism or visiting family are excluded from the single permit and the EU Blue Card; you need a work visa or another eligible basis first.
Does Poland offer a golden visa or digital nomad visa?
No. Poland has no residence-by-investment programme and no digital nomad visa. Entrepreneurs use the residence permit for business activity.
What do I need to apply for a residence permit in Poland?
A MOS account, a Polish trusted profile or qualified electronic signature, a JPG photo, a PDF scan of your passport, proof of the stamp duty and PLN 100 card fee, and the documents for your purpose. You must be in Poland when applying.
What special rights do Turkish workers have in Poland?
Under Decision 1/80, after 1 year of legal work you may continue with the same employer, after 3 years change employer within your occupation, and after 4 years take any job without a work permit; a dedicated residence permit supports this.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 23 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.