What is a National Visa (Type D) and How to Apply for It?

National visa (type D), typically issued for longer stays (e.g., studies, seasonal work), allows entry to the territory of the Republic of Poland and permits continuous stay or a series of consecutive stays totaling more than 90 days but not exceeding one year within the visa validity period. The period of stay based on the national visa is determined according to the purpose of stay stated by the foreigner - if the purpose indicated by the foreigner suggests a stay in Poland shorter than a year, then the period of stay granted based on the visa will also be correspondingly shorter.

What are the Purposes of Issuance and Their Codes?

The Regulation of the Minister of the Interior on visas for foreigners from May 5, 2014 (Journal of Laws of 2014, item 592) specifies the purposes for which a national type D visa is issued and the assigned codes, which are also found on the visa document. The regulation defines the following purposes for issuing a visa:

• 01 - for tourism
• 02 - for visiting family or friends
• 03 - for participation in sports events
• 04 - for conducting business activities
• 05 - for employment of a foreigner for a period not exceeding 6 months within the next 12 months, based on a declaration of intent to entrust work registered with the county labor office
• 06 - for employment based on documents other than those specified in Article 60(1)(5) of the Act
• 07 - for conducting cultural activities or participation in conferences organized in connection with such activities
• 08 - for performing official duties by representatives of a foreign state or international organization
• 09 - for pursuing first-cycle, second-cycle, or uniform master's degree studies or third-cycle studies
• 10 - for vocational training
• 11 - for education or training in a form other than specified in Article 60(1)(9) or (10) of the Act
• 12 - for educational purposes
• 13 - for conducting scientific research or development work
• 14 - for medical treatment
• 15 - for joining a citizen of an EU member state, EFTA state - party to the EEA Agreement or the Swiss Confederation or staying with them
• 16 - for participation in a cultural or educational exchange program, humanitarian aid program, or holiday work program, and if the program is regulated by an international agreement to which the Republic of Poland is a party, the program name is also included on the visa sticker
• 17 - for arriving in the territory of the Republic of Poland as an immediate family member of a repatriate
• 18 - for exercising rights arising from holding a Polish Card
• 19 - for repatriation
• 20 - for enjoying temporary protection
• 21 - for arriving for humanitarian reasons, in the interest of the state, or due to international obligations
• 22 - for fulfilling a temporary residence permit for family reunification
• 23 - for other purposes not specified in Article 60(1)(1-24) of the Act

Who Issues a National Type D Visa?

National visas are issued by a Polish consul outside the territory of Poland, within the consular district encompassing the foreigner's permanent residence who is applying for the visa. Complete information about the visa procedure can be obtained from the Polish consulate or diplomatic mission where the visa application is submitted. Generally, the national visa application must be submitted on a special form along with the appropriate documents.

What is the Visa Fee? How Long Does it Take to Issue a National Type D Visa?

The standard visa fee is 80€, with exceptions for citizens of Belarus and Ukraine who are exempt from the visa fee. The waiting time for a national type D visa is usually around 15 days from the consulate visit - by law, this period is up to 14 days and may be extended in some cases to 30 or 60 days.

What Documents Are Required to Obtain a National Visa?

In addition to submitting the national visa application and photographs, it is necessary to present a valid travel document that meets the following criteria:

• its validity period will not expire earlier than 3 months after the end of the visa validity period for which the foreigner is applying
• contains at least two blank pages
• was issued within the last 10 years

Additionally, when applying for a national visa, the foreigner must present documents confirming:

• the purpose and conditions of the planned stay
• possession of sufficient financial means to cover the costs of living for the entire planned stay in Poland and for return travel to the country of origin or residence, or for transit to a third country that will grant entry, or the ability to obtain such means legally
• possession of health insurance or travel medical insurance
• the credibility of declarations regarding the intention to leave the territory of Poland before the visa expiration date
• other circumstances stated in the application

Visa Denial

A consul may refuse to issue a visa to a foreigner, for example, if the foreigner does not have a valid travel document, cannot present the purpose and conditions of the planned stay, if there is a concern that the entry and stay of the foreigner could pose a threat to defense, security, public order, or violate the interests of Poland, if the foreigner has made false statements, concealed important information, or failed to justify the purpose or conditions of the planned stay, if the foreigner does not have appropriate health insurance, sufficient means of subsistence for the stay in Poland, and return to the country of origin or residence or for transit to another country other than the country of origin or residence.

Any person who is refused a visa (or has their visa annulled/revoked) is given a refusal form containing the justification. An application for reconsideration of the case by the same authority, i.e., the consul (there is no possibility to appeal to a higher instance), may be submitted within 7 days from the date of delivery of the refusal decision.