Poland is an attractive country for business trips, shopping tours, travel for tourism purposes. This is a state with more than a thousand years of history, a huge number of attractions, picturesque countryside, mineral water resorts. The road to the country from Moscow can take about two hours by plane, depending on the airport of arrival, by train - almost 20 hours, by bus or car - more than a day. Regardless of the method, it is worth considering in advance whether Russians need a visa to Poland and how to get it.
Basic rules for crossing the Polish border for Russians
Whatever the reasons that prompted a Russian to visit the country, he will need to obtain a visa before starting the trip. Since the country has joined the Schengen Agreement on simplification of passport and visa control since 2004, to enter the country you need to obtain a visa of the same name to this document.
A traveler crossing the border of the state will need to have a passport with him. It must be valid for at least 3 more months prior to the intended end of the trip.
Medical insurance is a prerequisite. In fact, without it it is impossible to get a visa. They may be asked to show the policy when crossing the border.
In some cases, the border may require a document confirming that the traveler will have a roof over his head for the duration of the trip. This can be a voucher from a travel package, a printout of a booking confirmation from a hotel, or an invitation. If the arrival has not taken care of housing, then proof may be required that he is not only solvent, but can also afford to live in the country. In this case, the following rates apply, established in 2003 by the Law "On Foreigners":
- adults – 100 PLN;
- persons under 16 – 50 PLN;
- people in organized groups - PLN 20.
The indicated amounts are calculated in Polish zlotys, but can also be presented in other currencies. This is the daily rate, which should provide the traveler with shelter and food. You will need to show proof that he has such security for the entire trip.
You should know that in the absence of a medical policy, in addition to the availability of the above security, the traveler will have to add to itanother 300 PLN for each day of stay.
As confirmation, an amount in cash in Polish or foreign currency can be presented. You can also stock up on an extract from a banking institution on the state of the account. It will need to be supported by a demonstration of a debit card.
If the border is crossed by a private car, then you need to present an international driving license, documents for the car and an international policy that insures the civil liability of the owner.
Thus, the answer to the question of whether Russians need a visa to Poland is positive. Only by comprehensively preparing, the traveler will be able to calmly carry out all travel plans.
Special situation of the Kaliningrad region: will the simplified regime be resumed
Getting a visa is a serious matter. But in Russia there is only one region, which some time ago had benefits for the travel of its residents to Poland. The region got this opportunity due to its proximity to the border and the conclusion of an agreement between the countries on local border traffic. People living in the region are not required to obtain a visa; instead, they are issued a special pass upon application.
Only some territories can be visited by it:
- 4 counties and 3 cities of Primorskie Voivodeship;
- 11 counties and 2 cities of the Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship.
In order to get such a pass, it was necessary to collect the following papers:
- document and internal civil passport,confirming permanent residence in the region;
- passport with a remaining validity of at least six months;
- application and letter explaining the need to travel;
- photo of the established sample.
It was necessary to apply for a pass at the Kaliningrad Consulate at 51, Kashtanovaya Alley..
In July 2016, the agreement was suspended at the initiative of the Polish side. The moment when it will be restored is not yet known. Therefore, at the beginning of 2018, even residents of this region will need to obtain a visa on a general basis.
Methods of obtaining a visa to Poland for Russians
There are several ways to get a visa. The choice in favor of one of them depends on the availability of free time and financial capabilities.
- You can use the services of companies that promise to obtain a visa for Russians to Poland without effort. Indeed, in this way the process of collecting the necessary documents is somewhat facilitated. The person applying for the service does not need to find out the composition of the package submitted to the authorities, even the application for a visa to Poland will be filled in by a representative of the company. This method is less complicated, but more costly.
- On your own, a visa to Poland can be obtained by applying to two options for the place of submission of documents:
- visa centers;
- Consulate General of Poland.
Lastthe option provides not only for the independent collection of documents, but also for their submission.
Consulates of Poland
There are several Consulates General of the country in Russia:
- in Moscow on Klimashkina street, 4 there is a corresponding department at the embassy;
- in St. Petersburg on the 5th Sovetskaya street, 12/14;
- in Kaliningrad on Kashtanovaya Alley street, 51;
- in Irkutsk on Sukhe-Bator street, 18.
In addition, there is a Consular Agency in Smolensk, located on Mira Street, 1.
Visa Application Centers in Russia
Russians from regions where there are no consular departments still do not need to travel far to open a visa to Poland. For maximum convenience, there are visa application centers in some major regional centers:
- in Moscow on Suschevsky Val, 31, building 2;
- in St. Petersburg on Bolshaya Raznochinnaya, 16 A;
- in Veliky Novgorod on the Syrkovskoye highway, building 2 A;
- in Vladivostok on Okeansky prospect, 17;
- in Vologda on Prechistenskaya embankment, 34 A;
- in Voronezh on Voroshilov street, 16;
- in Vyborg on Moskovsky prospect, 9;
- in Yekaterinburg on Kuibyshev street, 44 D;
- in Irkutsk on Sverdlov street, 10;
- in Kazan on the street of the Paris Commune, 8;
- in Kaliningrad on the street of 1812, 126;
- in Krasnodar on Academician Pavlova street, 64;
- in Krasnoyarsk on Maerchaka street, 16;
- in Murmansk on Karl Liebknecht street, d.13;
- in Nizhny Novgorod on Shcherbakova street, 15;
- in Novorossiysk on Karl Marx Street, 49;
- in Novosibirsk on Chelyuskintsev street, 15;
- in Omsk on Frunze street, 1/4;
- in Perm on Chernyshevsky street, 28;
- in Petrozavodsk on Gogol street, 6;
- in Pskov on Rizhsky prospect, 60;
- in Rostov-on-Don on Trolleybusnaya street, 24/2B;
- in Samara on Michurina street, 78;
- in Saratov on Vavilov street, 38/114;
- in Smolensk on Nikolaeva street, 20;
- in Ufa on Chernyshevsky street, 82;
- in Khabarovsk on Istomin street, 22 A.
The working hours of each of them and contact numbers are available on official resources on the Web. Most of them advise by phone about what documents for a visa to Poland are needed in each case.
Entry to the state through third countries
26 countries participate in the Schengen Agreement. Russian citizens who already have permission to visit one of these countries are not required to obtain a Schengen visa for Poland.
The only condition for such a visit is an initial entry into a country for which an existing visa has been obtained. From there they move to Poland. At the same time, most of the trip should be in the first country. For example, there is a Spanish Schengen. The traveler travels first to Spain, spends three weeks there, and then moves to Poland for a week, and then returns home.
Types of visas
There are 4visa types standard for European countries.
- A. transit option. For Russians, it is not required to receive it if it is not planned to leave the airport and the transfer time will not be more than a day.
- B. transit option. Gives the right to stay in the country for no more than five days. Thus, the traveler can cross the country by train or car on the way to another state. It will also help in the case of a business trip, arriving by plane. He will be able to go to the city, visit several settlements and leave again.
- S. Such a visa to Poland for Russians allows you to stay in the country for up to three months. This is the most common option. Used for both tourism and business purposes. It is also possible to travel to visit or visit relatives.
- D. This is a long-term visa option for Russians to Poland, most often such a trip exceeds three months and is targeted. It is issued as a work, student or for treatment in the country.
In order to understand what kind of visa is needed for Poland, one should decide not only on the purpose of travel, but also on the time and frequency of stay on its territory. According to the latter feature, visas are divided into single (only for one entry into the country) and multiple visas (for multiple entries, limited to three months in each semester, within the period for which the entry document is provided).
Visa fee
The cost of a visa to Poland can vary significantly depending onindependent attempt to obtain and contact the intermediary company.
The standard fee consists of the sum of the consular and visa fees. The latter is payable if the traveler applied for a visa at one of the visa centers. The actual amounts must be found on their official resources.
At the beginning of 2018, the cost of a visa to Poland through the Consulate General is 35 euros for a single entry, for multiple entries - 60 euros. The amount of the visa fee may vary depending on the city of application, and reach 20 euros.
Visa procedure
In order to apply for a visitor's permit, you need to collect a list of documents required for a visa to Poland. It may differ, depending on which variety is served. Below is the standard package for the C-class.
- Poland visa applications.
- Original and photocopies of the international passport, valid for another 3 months on the date of the proposed end of stay in the country and having a place for putting marks on crossing the border.
- 2 photo 3.5 x 4.5 cm.
- Original and photocopies of the civil passport.
- He alth insurance that meets the conditions for the amount limit and region of coverage.
- Documents confirming the traveler's ability to pay for the entire trip.
- Documents confirming the reservation of a place of residence in the country for the entire stay.
If the trip is carried out as part of an invitation from a private person, then in the package of documentsyou will need to add the following:
- Invitation, notarized and containing detailed information on the inviting person and the inclusion of the traveler's living expenses.
- A document confirming that the inviter is a resident of the host country.
- Copy of the inviting passport.
You should know that if the inviter is not a relative of the traveler, the invitation must be provided in the original and a copy certified in the voivodeship where the inviter lives.
To apply for a student visa, you need to add to the package a document confirming the traveler's enrollment in an educational institution or his current studies (student card).
Having prepared a package of documents, you can make an appointment at the visa center or the consular department. After paying the fees, submit the documents for consideration. The procedure has a well-established mechanism, the result can be expected on the set dates, officially this is a period of 10 to 14 days. This is actually done within the working week. If necessary, you can carry out an urgent procedure, but in this case you will need to pay an additional 70 euros, and a visa will be issued in 3 working days.
There are some features when obtaining a work visa to Poland, but we will consider them separately.
If the applicant has never passed biometric data before, then he will have to come additionally before receiving a decision.
Features of obtaining a work visa
Work visa inPoland gives the opportunity to work in the country. With this type of permit, you can travel to neighboring states participating in the Schengen Agreement, but it does not give the right to work there. At the same time, such a permit can be issued in the following categories:
- half-year visa;
- annual visa.
Both options are a variation of category D, allow multiple entries, but are limited to the duration of the total stay.
In the case of obtaining such a visa, it will be necessary to add to the standard package of documents those that confirm the work plans in the country. This may be an invitation from a future employer, registered with the labor office of a particular voivodship where the activity is supposed to be carried out. If a contract has already been concluded, then its original, which also has a voivodeship visa, and a copy are provided.
Otherwise, the procedure for submitting documents is similar to other types of visas, except that it opens without the participation of intermediaries.
Visa refusal: reasons
Such an unpleasant result of the procedure is not uncommon. The reasons may be the following:
- Poland visa application form with typos, errors or inaccuracies;
- providing false information or forged documents;
- not a complete package of documents for visits with a specific purpose;
- lack of proof of traveler's ability to pay;
- he alth insurance problems,its discrepancy on the limit of the sum insured.
Therefore, thinking about the question of how to get a visa to Poland, you should pay special attention to the collection and execution of a package of documents. Different types of refusals suggest either the possibility of re-applying after a while, or a lifetime ban on entry.
