Polish visas for Belarusians

Polish national visas free for Belarusians

From 1 January 2011 Poland has been issuing free national visas for those who spend more than 90 days in Poland within six months, head of the consular department of the Embassy of Poland in Belarus Marek Martinek told a press conference on 14 January.

Marek Martinek stressed: “On 1 January Poland took a unilateral step to abolish national visa fees for Belarusians. The decision was taken by the Government of Poland”. The consul noted that the fees have remained unchanged on the territory of other states.

The procedure for obtaining national Polish visas has not changed. An applicant needs to file the documents confirming his/her stay in Poland more than 90 days within six months. The Polish Consul said that it is primarily about students who are studying in Poland, and also those who come to work there. The Polish Card holders may also qualify for the Polish national visa.

The holder of the national visa can travel from Poland to other countries, but for that he must have the relevant documents. For example, if a person wants to go to Greece, then he needs to present hotel reservation documents or he needs to have an invitation.

Marek Martinek also noted that if a citizen has received a national Polish visa, but stayed in Poland fewer than 90 days within six months, then the next time he applies he will be denied a national visa.

BelTA

Nearly all Belarusian applicants get Polish visas

The consular affairs department of the Embassy of Poland in Minsk turns down less than 1% of the total number of applications for Polish visas submitted by Belarusian citizens, Slawomir Zubrowski, Consul, Counselor of the Embassy of Poland in Belarus, told a press conference on 14 January.

Last year over 73,600 Polish visas were issued in Minsk, with only 635 applications turned down. “As you can see, the number of rejections in our consulate is very small although earlier, about four years ago, the number was large. Visas are generally issued to those, who apply for them. But sometimes people try to get visas by deceit. There are people, whose entry is not desired. We turn down such applications,” said Slawomir Zubrowski.

BelTA

Poland in favor of reducing Schengen visa cost for Belarus

Poland intends to apply for reducing the cost or abolishment of Schengen visas for Belarusians in case the European Commission raises the issue, head of the consular department of the Embassy of Poland in Belarus Marek Martinek told a press conference on 14 January.

On 1 January Poland abolished consular fees for the national Polish visas for Belarusians, who stay in Poland for more than 90 days within six months. Yet, the cost of Schengen visas remains the same - ?60. The head of the consular department stressed that the Polish government cannot take a decision to cancel or reduce the fees for the Schengen visas. Marek Martinek stressed that Poland would like to see the Schengen visa fees reduced for Belarusian travelers.

BelTA

Polish consulates in Belarus happy with EVAF-based visa procedures

By introducing electronic visa application forms (EVAF) the Polish consulates have streamlined the visa application process, Consul, Counselor of the Embassy of Poland in Belarus Slawomir Zubrowski told a press conference on 14 January. Attending the press conference were also head of the consular department of the Polish Embassy of Belarus Marek Martinek and First Secretary of the Embassy of Poland in Belarus Pawel Marczuk.

Last year the Polish consulates in Belarus introduced an internet-based appointment system that partially simplified their work.

The Consuls explained that visa applicants fill out an application form in Latin letters online and print it. Thus they come to the Polish Consulate with this application as well as other necessary documents. If all documents are properly filled, they are accepted on the same day. The visa processing procedure takes about 15 days.

BelTA

Over 73,600 Polish visas issued to Belarusians in 2010

In 2010 the Polish Consular Office in Minsk issued more than 73,600 visas, a record high in recent years. In 2009 over 57,000 visas were issued, Consul, Counselor of the Polish Embassy in Belarus Slawomir Zubrowski told a press conference in Minsk.

More than 67,000 of the visas issued last year were Schengen visas. In December alone more than 9,000 Polish visas were issued. About 500 people apply for a visa per day. The Polish Consul explained that if a person goes to Poland on numerous occasions he is granted a multiple-entry visa.

The number of issued Polish visas has increased since the Visa Code of the European Union took effect last year. The Polish consuls also attribute the increase to the Polish visa procedure simplification policy.

Since 1 January 2011 when national visa fees were abolished, no increase in the number of applicants has been marked. The reason may be the New year holidays. At the same time Grodno and Brest have already reported a growth of Polish national visa applicants. This is due to the fact that a lot of people living in frontier regions of the two states are connected by kinship ties.

BelTA

Belarusian tourists get Schengen visas to go to Poland

Belarusians are supposed to apply for Schengen visas if they go for holiday trips to Poland, Slawomir Zubrowski, Consul, Counselor of the Embassy of Poland in Belarus, told a press conference on 14 January. Marek Martinek, Head of the Consular Affairs Department of the Embassy of Poland in Minsk, and Pawel Marczuk, First Secretary of the Embassy of Poland in Belarus, gave answers to questions of reporters as well.

Holiday trips are short-term trips and require Schengen visas, BelTA has learned. Free national Polish visas are available to those, who plan to stay in Poland for over 90 days within half a year.

Eighty-two travel agencies are accredited with the Embassy of Poland in Minsk. They offer visa services for travelers, who are interested in going on holiday trips to Poland.

BelTA