2024 Poland Schengen Visa Guide: 5 Steps for Filipinos
I tagged along with my boyfriend on his business trip to Poland in 2017. I was hesitant at first because I thought that obtaining a Poland Schengen visa is as tedious and as strict as other European countries. To my surprise, I got my Poland Schengen visa in just four working days without any hiccups.
Let me walk you through the process of applying for a Poland Schengen visa for Filipinos.
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Where can Filipinos apply for a Poland Schengen visa?
At the time of my application, I had to process my Poland tourist visa at VFS Global under The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. But now, Filipinos can process their visas at the following locations:
1. Embassy of the Republic of Poland in the Republic of the Philippines
Address: 9th Floor of Del Rosario Law Centre, 21st Drive corner 20th Drive, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines
2. Visa Application Centers (VAC)
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- Metro Manila Address: Unit 1902, 19th floor, Philippine AXA Life Centre, 1286 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue corner Tindalo Street, Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines
- Cebu City Address: Unit 1200B, 12th floor AppleOne Equicom Tower, Mindanao Avenue corner Biliran Street Cebu Business Park, Cebu City, Philippines
*See Poland Embassy in Manila and VACs contact information.
How Filipinos can apply for a Poland Schengen visa
Step 1: Gather all your visa requirements
Depending on your visa type, make sure to gather all the needed visa requirements. As for me, I applied for a Poland C-Type Schengen Visa for tourism purposes.
Poland tourist visa requirements
- Accomplished Visa Application Form (printed and signed)
- Passport sized (3.5 x 4.5 cm) coloured photo not taken more than 6 months ago
- Philippine passport in the last 10 years with at least 3 months validity from expected return date and 2 blank pages
- Photocopy of passport bio page (personal data and photo)
- Copy of Identification (ID) Card
- Travel insurance from accredited Schengen insurance companies in the Philippines with sum insured exceeding €30,000
- Proof of travel
- Detailed travel itinerary
- Cover letter explaining intent to travel to Poland and return to the Philippines
- Round-trip flight reservation
- Hotel reservation or proof of accommodation
- Proof of financial capacity
- Bank certificate and bank statements for the last 6 months
- Tax clearance from previous year
- Credit card statements
- Proof of occupation
- For employees: certificate of employment indicating position, employment date, salary in the last 6 months, and approved leaves
- For business: business registration, license, income tax return (ITR), financial statement
- Other supporting documents to prove ties to the Philippines
- Proof of owned real estate properties (if applicable)
- Social security contributions (if applicable)
- PSA Birth Certificate or Marriage Certificate
See complete list of Poland Schengen visa requirements.
Step 2: Complete your Poland Schengen visa application form
Complete the Visa Application Form. After putting all your personal information, print, and sign.
Step 3: Schedule your visa appointment online
There are two ways to book a visa appointment:
Option 1: Poland Embassy’s website
Option 2: Visa Application Center (VAC) via BLS International online portal
The online appointment systems are self-explanatory. Just fill in the needed information and choose your preferred schedule. You also need to pay the visa processing fee of ₱512.
Do note that the earliest date you can apply for a Poland Schengen visa is at least 6 months before your travel date. You should not apply less than 15 days before your intended travel date.
Step 4: Submit your Poland Schengen visa application
On your scheduled visa appointment date, proceed to your chosen location and submit your documents. Then, pay the visa application fees in cash.
Poland visa application fees
- €80 (~₱5,000) for adults
- €40 (~₱2,500) for children between 6 to 12 years old
Tips:
- Bring the original copies and A4 sized photocopies of all your documents. Put them in a long brown envelope but do not write anything on it.
- Arrange all your documents according to the harmonized checklist of visa requirements.
- Don’t be too early or too late. Arrive at least 15-30 minutes before your appointment.
- Avoid bringing unnecessary items.
- Arm yourself with these tips to increase your chances of visa approval.
Step 5: Wait for your visa approval
After processing your application, just keep calm and wait for your visa approval.
Poland visa processing time 2024
How long does it take to get a Poland Schengen visa for Filipinos? As of 2024, processing time is 15 working days, but it could be extended up to 45 days, depending on the circumstance.
You will be given a tentative date of passport collection after you submit your documents. You can go to the consular office on the specified date or every Friday at 12nn to 1pm only, except Polish and Philippine holidays.
That’s it! Best of luck in your Poland Schengen visa application.
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Disclaimer: I do not claim to be a visa expert. While I was granted a multiple-entry Poland Schengen visa, I still recommend that you contact the Poland Embassy in Manila or Poland Visa Application Centers (VAC) for your specific enquiries and concerns. This article was originally published in Jan 2019 but updated for accuracy and freshness of information.