Schengen Visa Information

  What is Schengen?

Schengen refers to the EU passport-free zone that covers most of the European countries. It’s the largest free travel area in the world.

Travel & Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions for entry into the EU & Schengen Area from many countries apply.

Check Schengen.News to get the latest information and updates on entry restrictions, testing and quarantine regulations in the EU & Schengen Area.

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows a person to travel to any members of the Schengen Area, per stays up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.

The Schengen visa is the most common visa for Europe. It enables its holder to enter, freely travel within, and leave the Schengen zone from any of the Schengen member countries. There are no border controls within the Schengen Zone.

However, if you are planning to study, work, or live in one of the Schengen countries for more than 90 days, then you must apply for a national visa of that European country and not a Schengen Visa.

Quick fact: Over 15 million people used their Schengen visas in 2019 to travel around Europe.

Who Needs a Visa to Enter Europe?

All nationals of third countries, which have yet not reached a visa-liberalization agreement with the Schengen member states, need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival in Europe.

To check whether you need a Schengen Visa to travel to one of the Schengen member countries, here is the list of countries, citizens of which must apply for a Schengen Visa prior to their travel to the EU.

Travel Documents and Entry Requirements for non-EU Nationals

You will have to present several documents at the Schengen port of entry, in order to be permitted to enter, if you are a non-EU/Schengen country national, regardless if you are a visa-exempt or not.

The documents you need to provide when entering the Schengen Area are as follows:

• Valid Passport. Issued within the previous 10 years and valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU.
• Schengen Visa. If you are a national of one of the third countries in need of a visa.

EU/Schengen border officials may also ask for other information and documents such as sufficient funds,  proof of accommodation, how long you intend to stay, round-trip airline ticket, the purpose of your entry, travel insurance, invitation letter, etc.

Please, make sure that the border officer gives you an entry stamp in your passport when you enter the Schengen area. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained.

>> EU Entry Requirements for US Citizens

Which European Countries issue Schengen Visas?

The Schengen zone includes the 26 countries that have signed the Schengen agreement, which allows citizens of member countries to travel within the zone freely, without passing through passport and border control.

Each member country of the Schengen zone can issue Schengen visas.

Austria
Belgium
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Liechtenstein

There are another 19 other countries that are not part of the Schengen Zone, yet they allow foreign citizens of other non-Schengen countries to enter and stay in their territories, only by showing a valid multiple-entry Schengen Visa. You do not need a national visa issued from these countries to enter, transit or stay in their territory temporarily.

Schengen Visa Types for Short-Term Visits in Europe

You need to apply for a Schengen Visa if you intend to visit one or more European countries of this area for the following reasons:

• Business purposes.
• Visiting friends and family.
• Tourism and holidays.
• Cultural and sports events.
• Airport transit and transit for seafarers.
• Official visit.
• Medical reasons.
• Short-term study and research purposes. 

Depending on your reasons for visiting the Schengen countries and the frequency of your visits, the Schengen consulate can issue you a single-entry visa, double-entry visa, or multiple-entry visa.

The validity of your single-entry visa depends on the number of days you stated you are going to be in the Schengen zone on your visa application form and the actual decision of the consulate that issues you the Schengen visa.

If you are a frequent traveller you may apply to obtain an EU visa valid for up to 5 years, but you have to keep in mind that you cannot stay within the Schengen Area for more than 90 days in a 180-day period of time even if you hold a multiple-entry visa for Europe valid for up to 5 years.

How to Apply for a Visa to Enter Europe?

To apply for a Schengen Visa to travel to Europe, you first need to figure out whether you need one or not depending on the purpose of your travel and nationality. If you do, then you have to put together your travel plan, how many days you plan to be in the zone, the countries you are going to visit (if more than one), the country where you are going to enter, and the country where you’re going to exit.

Once you have that figured out, then you need to review all the Europe visa application requirements you need to fulfil and start the process of setting up a visa appointment at one of the Schengen consulates in your country.

How Much Does a European Visa Cost?

The cost of a Schengen visa fee is €80 per adult. Still, depending on the age of the applicant, nationality and some other factors, there are categories that will have to pay a lower fee or no fee at all.

Check the list of Schengen Visa fees, which precisely indicates the categories that benefit from the reduced visa costs or that are exempt from paying the fee.

What is a Flight Itinerary for EU Visa Application?

Flight itinerary is a confirmed document, which can be verified online about the schedule of a given flight.

Learn more about How to get a flight itinerary for visa application!

What is Travel Insurance for Schengen Visa?

Your Travel Medical Insurance should be valid for your whole stay in the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR for medical emergencies.

Learn more about How to get Schengen Visa Insurance!

What is a Proof of Accommodation for Visa application?

You are required to submit a confirmed document that shows where you will be accommodated for your whole trip in the Schengen Area.

Learn more about How to get Proof of Accommodation for Visa Application.

Read More

Poland Schengen Visa Application Requirements

 Depending on the purpose of your travel to Poland, there are different types of visas that will apply to the occasion.

Whether you are planning to go on a visit, study or work and reside in Poland permanently, you will have to apply for a different Polish Schengen Visa, accordingly.

You can apply for the Polish Schengen Visa since 2007 when Poland as a Member State of the European Union also became a member state of the Schengen Area.

See the list of countries whose citizens need a visa to enter Poland by clicking Do I need a visa to visit Poland?

Poland Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Poland, as well as the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020.

To this day, only the following are permitted to enter the Polish territory:

• Polish citizens
• Citizens and residents of Georgia, Japan, Canada, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, Tunisia and Australia
• Foreigners who are spouses or children of citizens of Poland or remain under the constant care of citizens of Poland
• Polish identity Card Holders
• Diplomats
• People entitled to permanent or temporary residence in the Republic of Poland or who hold a work permit
• Foreigners who run a means of transport designed for the transport of good
• Citizens of EU Member States, EFTA Member States – parties to the Agreement on the EEA or the Swiss Confederation and their spouses and children, when travelling through the territory of the Republic of Poland to their place of residence or stay
• Those with a permanent residence permit or a long-term resident’s EU residence permit, in the territory of other EU Member States, a Member State of the EFTA – parties to the Agreement on the EEA or the Swiss Confederation and their spouses and children, when travelling through the territory of the Republic of Poland, to their place of residence or stay.

Additionally, in particularly justified cases, the commander of the Border Guard post may allow a foreigner to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland in accordance with the procedure specified in the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 35), always after obtaining the consent of the Commander-in-Chief of the Border Guard.

Those coming to Poland from outside the EU are obliged to go through a fortnight of quarantine, whereas those crossing the internal EU borders are exempt from the requirement of quarantine.

General required documents for a Polish Visa Application:

• Download the Polish Visa application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Poland Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
• 2 photos must be attached; the photo should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background. Learn more about photo requirements and specifications for a Polish Visa.
• Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
• Travel medical insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Poland and the entire Schengen area. Find out more about Visa Insurance for Europe.
• A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Poland and itinerary
• Flight air ticket reservation with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Poland
• Hotel Booking Reservation for the whole duration of the intended stay in Poland
• Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
• Means of subsistence – Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Poland

If employed:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• No-objection certificate from employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

• Proof of enrollment
• Leave approval letter from school or university

If retired:

• Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

• Regular income generated by property proof of the latest 6 months

*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied the rest of the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally at the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.

Apart from the general documentation required, accompanying should be other additional documents depending on the purpose of your Polish Visa application.

List of additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of Poland Visa Application:

Poland Tourist Schengen Visa:

• Invitation letter with the address and phone number from family member or sponsor – if applicable
• Bank statement of the last 6 months
• Passport copies

Poland Visa for Business Purposes:

• Invitation letter from the Polish company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit
• A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
• If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
• Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
• Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Poland Visa for Medical Purposes:

• A local medical report
• A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Poland, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
• Payment receipt of medical fees

Poland Visa for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:

• Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – purpose of visit , expense coverage
• Names of the applicants (crew members)
• Duration of stay
• Travel itinerary
  

Poland Visa for Members of Official Delegations:

• The official invitation copy
• Identity of applicant
• Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
• Poland Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other type of Internship Purposes:
• An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
• Certificate of completion or courses attended
• Financial sustenance 

Poland Visa For The Wife/Husband of a Polish citizen:

• Proof of Polish citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Polish nationality or naturalization order)
• Polish marriage certificate
• Polish family record book

Poland Airport Transit Visa:

• Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
• Copy of your valid visa for your final destination 

Poland Visa for Under-Age Children:

• Proof of parent’s regular income (work contract with specified monthly income or a bank statement or business license)
• Notarized travel permission from parent (parental travel consent)
• If one parent lives in another country – their notarized parental travel consent

*Note: When applying at the Polish embassy/consulate in home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.

Can I extend my Schengen visa in Poland?

Yes, you can extend your Poland Schengen visa but only in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry in Poland.

Please read How to Extend a Schengen Visa to understand in what circumstances and what are the conditions you must fulfill in order to be eligible to Extend your Poland Schengen Visa.

Poland National D-type visa

If you intend to stay in the territory of Poland for a total of more than 90 days (at least 91 days) during one or more visits within a half-year period calculated from the date of first entry, you need to apply for a national D-type visa.

Attention! Please consult the Embassy of Poland in your country for the updated Poland Visa requirements!

Read More

Poland Work Permit

 What is a Work Permit

A work permit is a document that authorizes a foreigner to work legally in Europe. The Permit indicates the Company that entrusts the Execution of Work to the Foreigner and the Position or the Type of Work which the Foreigner is to Perform.

Work Visa Package Includes

Invitation Letter for Work Guarantee Letter

Employment Agreement

Accommodation Guarantee

Company Registration Details.

In Poland there are usually the following jobs open:

Cleaning Jobs

Insulation Worker Jobs

Construction Jobs

Optical Fiver Installation Jobs

Seamstress Jobs

Welding Jobs

Chicken Factory Jobs

Time Frame

Work Invitation Processing takes 2-3 Months

Delivery will take 1-2 Weeks

Visa Application in Embassy will Take near 1-2 Months

So... make sure you apply for a Visa with us at least 2 months before you want to Enter the Schengen Area. Our company will be glad to help you in obtaining your Work Permit.

Details about the Process

Process time – 2-3 Months

Documents and information requirements for work permit process:

Scan copy of valid passport (all pages with marked)

Scan copy of High School Diploma (if any)

Your Residential address

Planned arrival date to Poland

CV (Complete Bio-Data and Work experience)

Phone number and email address

Which documents do we provide for you?

Work permit

Guarantee letter

Letter of accommodation

Contract

Preparation for the interview at the Embassy

The Whole Process:

The Employment Company will obtain a Work Invitation (for 1 year or 2 years) on your Name according to the Open Vacancy through the Local Employment Office. 

Original documents will be Shipped to you by Courier Service. 

You will have to Submit Your Application Personally to the Embassy of the Country in your own Country. 

When you get your Visa, you can Fly. 

Your Employer will Meet you and help you adopt to life in Europe.

When you Start Work you can apply Residence Permit for 3 Years. 

To Support your Application the Employer will contact the Consulate by email on the Day of Appointment, Requesting to Favor your Application & Consequently Grant the Visa. 

How To Apply ?

Choose your Preferred Country in the column below. 

This will bring you straight to WhatsApp.

We will then guide you through the process of sending us the required documentation.

After we received the required documents, we will proceed in processing the documents for obtaining your client Work Permit with the Employers and Local Government/City Council of the Chosen Country.

The Employer will review the Documents and if needed an Interview will be made by Skype or Zoom. 

Once we receive a 50% Down Payment, we will submit the documents to the appointed Attorney. The process of obtaining Visa Issuance Letter (Work Permit) is between 6-8 weeks. 

As soon as the Visa Issuance Letter is issued and we receive the Last Payment, we will send it to you by Courier.

You will have to Submit the Application of the Visa in the Embassy in your Country. We will guide you through this Interview.

.The Embassy will provide you with a “One Year “Visa Type D / Multiple Entry, and it is Yearly Renewable or Applicable to Apply PR with some Reasonable Grounds.

Business Visa (Business Invitation)

Why you need an Invitation. A Schengen business visa to Poland is carried out strictly by official invitation. This type of visa is designed specifically for businessmen and other representatives of commercial movements.

To enter Poland to resolve business issues, establish and adjust cooperation with Polish representatives of business industries, and any other important issues regarding business trips. 

It needs additional documents

The business visa to Poland will let you travelling, setting up business and being in Poland and the Schengen zone countries without or with minimum restrictions.

Invitation letter from the Polish company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit

A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel

If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided

Business bank statement of the latest 6 months

Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents

Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Details about our process

Process time – 2-3 Working Days

Required documents for business visa invitation:

Passport Scan Copy

Full Permanent Address

Planned Date Of Travel

Business Detail (Name, Address, Phone)

Documents we provide for you:

Copy of written and signed invitation from inviting person or institution, stating the purpose and conditions of visit (period of stay, who covers expenses etc.);

Copy of tax clearance certificate and certificate of business incorporation of Polish business institution inviting applicant for visit

Proof of commercial activities in country of residence, recent business contacts with inviting company (contracts, bills, commercial correspondence, etc.)

We will then guide you through the process of sending us the required documentation.

After we received the required documents, we will proceed in processing the documents for obtaining client Business L:etter with the Local Government/City Council of the Chosen Country.

Once we receive a 50% Down Payment, we will submit the documents to the appointed Attorney. As soon as the Visa Issuance Letter is issued and we receive the Last Payment, we will send it to you by Courier..

We will assume responsibility for EU business visa processing documents. Good knowledge of the Polish law allows us to manage this procedure quickly and in a qualitative manner, so a Polish business Visa process can be done within 2 working days.

Read More