The Schengen Area is a mostly geographical association of nations that agreed to eradicate their borders to allow for less complicated travel between the countries. Founded in 1995, this agreement originally consisted of only 5 countries. As of today, there are 26 (and counting!) members of the Schengen Area, including Poland!
The benefit of being a member of the Schengen Area is that it enables travelers to travel more freely without having to shell out money for a new visa for every country they want to visit. While not all of the countries within the Schengen agreement are geographically close, enough of them are close together to benefit locals within the countries themselves as well as transcontinental travelers.
While you won't need a visa for each country, you may need a visa to enter the Schengen Area itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for a Poland Schengen Visa?
- To apply for a Poland Schengen visa, you will need to get the application. You can get that here.
- Next, you will schedule your appointment at your local embassy/consulate, which we will help you with.
- Then, you will go to the interview where you will submit your application in addition to the required documents.
- You will also give your biometrics.
- Finally, after your interview, you will receive your visa from the embassy.
Keep in mind that there is a waiting time from the day you go to the interview and when you receive your visa.
What documents do I need to present with my application?
The documents you are required to present with your application will depend on the type of visa you are applying for. Check with your resident embassy for a complete list. All Poland Schengen visas require at least the following documents:
- Printed confirmation of your scheduled interview appointment.
- Current valid passport.
- 2 recent photos. Photos must be taken with a white background and can have no obstructions (glasses, hats, etc.) covering your face or ears. Additionally, the photos cannot be more than 6 months old and must be 5x5 inches.
- Bank statements for the last 3 months to show that you have more than enough money to cover the expenses of your trip (unless you are being sponsored by a company/institution).
- Accommodation details (hotel reservation or invitation letter).
- Medical Insurance with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros.
What is the 90/180 rule? Does it apply to all travelers?
The 90/180 rule dictates the total number of days that visitors are allowed to stay in the Schengen area. According to this rule, visitors to the Schengen area may only visit the country for a total of 90 days within a rolling 180 days. For most visa holders, the 90/180 rule applies. If you are applying for an extended stay visa, this rule will not apply. If your visa is set to expire before the 90 days are up, you are not permitted to stay past your visa's expiration date to complete the 90 days.