🇵🇱Poland Visa for Russian Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

National Visa (D-Type) – Study

Long-stay national visa for foreign nationals pursuing full-time education at Polish higher education institutions, including degree programs, PhD studies, exchange programs (Erasmus, NAWA), and language courses.

Subcategories include: Study I year (beginning students), Study II year and above, and Study – Others (PhD, exchange, Erasmus, NAWA). Fee is EUR 100 in most jurisdictions (USD ~109); USD 235 at US consulates; GBP 175 in UK; free for Ukrainian nationals. Valid up to 1 year; holders may also stay in other Schengen states up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Processing 15 calendar days; up to 30 days for complex cases. Applications via e-Konsulat system in person at Polish consulate.

National Visa (D-Type) – Work

Long-stay national visa for foreign nationals taking up employment in Poland, requiring a valid work permit or declaration of intent to entrust work from a Polish employer.

Requires prior work permit (Zezwolenie na pracę) or employer declaration (oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy). Fee USD 235 at US consulate; EUR 100 (~USD 109) at most European consulates. Valid for up to 1 year. Processing 15 working days standard; expedited in 3 working days for urgent cases. Does not include EU Blue Card (fast-track highly-qualified worker stream, processed separately via MOS portal).

National Visa (D-Type) – Family Member of Polish National

Long-stay visa for foreign family members of Polish citizens who wish to join or visit their Polish relative in Poland for a period exceeding 90 days.

Fee GBP 175 at UK consulate; varies by consulate elsewhere. Fee may be waived in certain circumstances. Applicants must demonstrate family relationship with a Polish citizen. Valid up to 1 year. For longer stays, a temporary residence permit application may be required in Poland.

National Visa (D-Type) – Pole's Card (Karta Polaka)

Long-stay visa issued to holders of the Pole's Card (Karta Polaka), a document confirming Polish heritage or membership in the Polish nation for persons from former Soviet Union countries.

Available to Karta Polaka holders from countries of the former Soviet Union (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan). Fee may be reduced or waived for Karta Polaka holders. Provides certain privileges including reduced visa fees and right to work without a separate work permit.

National Visa (D-Type) – Medical Professional

Long-stay national visa for foreign-qualified doctors, dentists, nurses, obstetricians, and paramedics seeking to practice their profession in Poland following recognition of their qualifications by the Minister of Health.

Requires prior approval from the Minister of Health for recognition of non-EU qualifications. Expedited processing of approximately 4 working days. Eligible professions: doctor, dentist, nurse, obstetrician, paramedic. Applicants from Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Moldova, Georgia, and Armenia may submit applications by post; others must appear in person. Full consular fee schedule applies (same D-type fee structure).

National Visa (D-Type) – NATO/SOFA

National visa issued to NATO military and civilian personnel and their dependants stationed in or transiting through Poland under the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).

Issued to NATO/SOFA personnel and dependants. Fee exemptions may apply under SOFA provisions. Applicants must present NATO orders or equivalent official documentation.

Schengen Visa (C-Type) / National Visa (D-Type) – Diplomatic/Service

Visas issued to holders of diplomatic or service passports for official missions, including diplomatic representatives, consular officers, and accredited international organization staff.

Fee exempt under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Diplomatic passport holders from most countries are also exempt from standard Schengen visa requirements. Issued via the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for accredited diplomats; consulates for service passport holders. Bilateral diplomatic visa waiver agreements may apply.

National Visa (D-Type) – Seasonal Work (D/05a)

Long-stay national visa for foreign nationals performing seasonal work in Poland (e.g. agriculture, horticulture, tourism, and gastronomy) on the basis of a seasonal work permit issued by the starosta (district labour office).

Seasonal work is permitted for a maximum of 9 months within a calendar year. Requires a prior seasonal work permit (zezwolenie na pracę sezonową, type S) obtained by the employer from the powiat (district) labour office, or an entry in the register of seasonal-work applications. After entering on a D/05a visa or under the visa-free regime, the foreigner may apply for a temporary residence permit for seasonal work. National visa fee EUR 80 (approx. USD 87); some consulates charge a different local-currency amount. Visa applied for in person at a Polish consulate via e-Konsulat.

National Visa (D-Type) – Scientific Research (Researcher, D/13)

Long-stay national visa for non-EU researchers conducting scientific research or development work at an approved Polish research institution under a hosting agreement, for stays exceeding 3 months.

Annotated 'D/13'. Requires a hosting agreement (umowa o przyjęciu w celu realizacji projektu badawczego) with a research institution on the Ministry of the Interior's approved list, specifying the research project, duration, remuneration, and working conditions. Applicant must hold qualifications giving access to doctoral studies (Polish Master's-equivalent). Holders may perform research work without a separate work permit. Fee EUR 80 (approx. USD 87). A national visa or refusal is issued within 30 days of submission. Valid up to 1 year; also permits travel in other Schengen states up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

Working Holiday Visa (National D-Type)

Long-stay visa for young citizens (aged 18 to under 31) of partner countries to spend up to a year in Poland discovering its culture and language, with the right to take up supplementary employment.

Poland operates working-holiday / youth-mobility agreements with New Zealand, Australia, Taiwan, Japan, Chile, Republic of Korea, Argentina, and Peru; a parallel Youth Mobility Program covers Canada (ages 18–35). Applicants must be at least 18 and not yet 31 at the time of applying (Canada up to 35). Issued as a national D-type visa valid for up to 1 year; no separate work permit is required. The main purpose must be leisure/travel, with employment being supplementary. Administered by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy; visas issued by Polish consulates. Fee varies by partner country (e.g. Poland–Canada Youth Mobility Program: 202 CAD).

National Visa (D-Type) – Other (General/Miscellaneous)

Catch-all category of the Polish national D-type visa covering purposes not listed separately, such as cultural activities, sports competitions, volunteering, internships, and other justified long-stay purposes.

Used for purposes such as cultural, sports, scientific, religious, and humanitarian activities. Same fee structure and processing times as other D-type categories. Applicants must provide documents proving their specific purpose of stay.