The Poland airport transit visa allows you to enter the international transit area of an airport in Poland to switch flights. It is aimed at passengers who are traveling to a third country but whose flight connects in Poland. There are two types of A-Type Transit Visas:
- Airport Transit Schengen Visa
- Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
Remember: the A-type Poland transit visa only allows you to stay in the international transit area of the Polish airport. It does not allow you to enter Poland or leave the Polish airport’s transit area.
Do I Need a Poland Airport Transit Visa?
An airport Poland transit visa is only required by citizens of
- Afghanistan
- Bangladesh
- Cuba
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Iran
- Iraq
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Sudan
- Sri Lanka
Citizens from these countries must have a visa even when simply transiting through the international transit areas of airports because they are listed in Annex IV of the Visa Community Code.
Note: You should always check the details of your flight and talk to your airline before you travel to Poland. If you have to clear customs to get to your connecting flight, then you may need a visa, even if you are not from one of the countries listed above.
Exemptions From An Airport Transit Visa
You do not need to apply for an airport transit visa if you are in one of the following categories:
- You are from a country with visa-free entry to Schengen. In this case, you are even allowed to leave the airport transit area and enter Poland.
- You are not from a country with a visa-free agreement, but you do not intend to leave the transit area of the airport. (This does not apply to citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, or Sri Lanka, who must always obtain a transit visa.)
Note: Even if you are a citizen of the twelve countries listed above, you may be exempt from the transit visa requirement if:
- You have a diplomatic passport.
- Your family member is a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
- You have a valid visa given to you by a Schengen country, Canada, Japan, or the U.S.
- You have a residence permit given to you by a Schengen country, a Member State of the European Union, Andorra, Canada, Japan, Republic of San Marino, or the U.S.
- You work as a flight crew member national of a legal agreement to the Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
How to apply for a Poland Transit Visa?
Here is how to apply for a Poland transit visa:
- Complete the application form at the E-Konsulat website. You can also find the application form at the Latvian embassy or consulate.
- Collect the required documents. The requirements are listed below.
- Make an appointment with your nearest Polish embassy or consulate. You are advised to make an appointment as early as possible.
- Go to your appointment and submit all collected documents.
- Pay the visa fee. The price for a transit visa is €60.
- Wait for an answer. The processing time for a transit visa is usually 14 to 15 days.
Where to Submit the Transit Visa Application?
Depending on where you live, you can apply for a Poland visa at one of the following:
- The Polish embassy or consulate in your country.
- The Polish embassy or consulate in a neighboring country.
- The embassy or consulate of another Schengen country, to which Poland has outsourced visa submissions.
- A private visa application center or agency that the Polish embassy has outsourced visa submission services.
You can find Poland’s missions abroad (embassies and consulates) here.
What Are The Requirements for a Poland Transit Visa?
The required documents for a Poland transit visa are:
- Visa application form. The application form can be found at the E-pak website.
- Two passport-sized photos of yourself in line with Poland requirements. The guidelines should follow Schengen’s visa photo requirements.
- A copy of your passport. Your passport must be valid and have two blank pages.
- Documents that prove that you will not stay in the transit country. Documents such as proof that your flight will be ongoing to a third country.
- Proof of travel health insurance. Health insurance should cover an amount of €30.000.
- Proof of paid visa fee. The price for the transit visa is €60.
Poland Transit Schengen Visa for Seafarers
If you are a seaman looking for permission to dock your ship/boat/vessel at a Polish seaport, you must apply for a Seafarer Transit Visa. The Seafarer Transit Schengen visa will allow you to leave your ship/boat/vessel at a Polish seaport for a short amount of time until you find another transportation method to a non-Schengen country.
Do I Need a Poland Seafarer Transit Visa?
Yes, you need a Transit Visa for Seafarers if you are a citizen of a non-EU/EEA country, and you plan on:
- Joining a ship/boat/vessel located in a Polish seaport.
- Transferring from one ship/boat/vessel to another ship/boat/vessel docked in a Polish seaport.
- Disembarking due to specific circumstances like contract termination, sickness, visa, etc.
What Are the Requirements for a Seafarer Transit Visa?
Other than the Poland visa requirements, you will need these extra documents for a Seafarer transit visa:
- The original Seaman’s book along with a copy.
- Invitation letter from the Shipping Company.
- Work contract.
- Copies of your passport data pages.
How Much Does a Poland Transit Visa cost?
The Poland transit visa will cost €60. The Poland transit visa is not widely requested, as only a few countries must obtain it. (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, and Sri Lanka)
How Long Is the Poland Transit Visa Valid For?
The Poland transit visa is only valid for 24 hours, and you can only use it to pass through the Polish airport. If you would like to visit Poland and stay for longer than one day, you will have to apply for a regular short-stay visa.
If you have a Seafarer Transit Schengen visa, your A-Type visa is valid for five days.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Poland Transit Visa?
You will get an answer on your Poland Transit Visa application in around 15 days. This waiting time may be extended to 30 or 60 days in specific cases. You are advised to present your application reasonably early but not more than the allowed three months period before your trip.