Poland Visit Visa for Canadian Residents

For those planning a trip to Poland for leisure, family visits, or business, knowing the visa application steps is helpful for a trouble-free trip. Poland attracts many visitors due to its culture, history, and location within the Schengen area.

• In 2024, Poland saw over 3.5 million international visitors, and tourism is predicted to increase by 8% each year until 2026 (EU Travel Trends Report).
• Canadians can visit Poland without a visa for stays up to 90 days.
• Non-Canadians who live in Canada might need a visa to enter Poland.
• A Poland Schengen Visa lets you travel to 26 Schengen countries for tourism or business.
• About 97% of Poland Visit Visas from Canada are approved if the applications are filled out fully and correctly.

*Want guidance to apply for a Poland Visit Visa? Sign up with Y-Axis for comprehensive support.
 

What is a Poland Visit Visa?

A Poland Visit Visa, a type C Schengen visa, lets foreign people enter Poland for a short time. Reasons for travel can include tourism, visits to family, business meetings, medical care, or cultural events. This visa allows a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and travel to other Schengen countries during the visa's time frame.

Travelers from countries without visa-free entry to the Schengen Zone need this visa. Applicants should file their paperwork at a Polish consulate or approved visa center before they travel.
 

Why Visit Poland from Canada?

Poland gives Canadian travellers a special experience by mixing the past, present, and nature.

• See famous places such as Wawel Castle, Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the Tatra Mountains.
• Enjoy the lively cities of Warsaw and Kraków, which have a lot of culture and food.
• Go to business events in a growing European market.
• Meet up with family and friends who live in Poland.
• Poland can be a starting point to visit 26 Schengen countries without border controls.

Benefits of the Poland Visit Visa

Some of the benefits offered by a Poland Visit Visa are given below.

• A Poland Visit Visa grants entry to Poland and 26 other Schengen area countries, eliminating the need for separate visas.
• With this visa, visitors can see Poland’s historical sites, buildings, and scenery, or go to museums, celebrations, and cultural activities.
• The visa lets people spend time with family in Poland or other Schengen countries.
• Professionals can go to meetings, conferences, or trade shows, which aid in creating business links.
• The visa also gives access to Poland’s health services for short treatments or health retreats.

Types of Poland Visit Visas for Canadians

The Poland Visit Visas are further divided into various sub-categories for international individuals coming to Poland. Some of the popular types of Polish visit visas are:

• Tourist Visa
• Family or Friend Visit Visa
• Business Visa
• Medical Treatment Visa
• Cultural, Sports, or Conference Visa
• Visa-Free Entry (for Canadian Passport Holders)

Tourist Visa

A Poland Tourist Visa, a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C), allows foreign people to visit Poland for tourism, such as seeing places, vacationing, or learning about culture and history. It lets you stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day time frame and also lets you enter other Schengen Area countries while the visa is good.

People who want to apply need a valid passport, travel plans, proof of where they will stay, travel insurance, and proof that they have enough funds. Travelers from countries that need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone must get this visa before they travel.

Family or Friend Visit Visa

The Poland Family or Friend Visit Visa, a short-stay Schengen visa (Type C), lets foreign citizens visit relatives or close friends legally living in Poland. It works well for family events, special occasions, or time with loved ones.

This visa allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day window and travel to other Schengen countries during its validity. People applying usually need an invitation from their host in Poland, proof of the host’s legal status, details on where they will stay, and proof of funds.
 

Business Visa

The Poland Business Visa, a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C), lets people from other countries visit Poland for business. This includes going to meetings, conferences, trade shows, doing contract talks, or taking short company training courses.

With this visa, you can stay in Poland for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It also lets you travel to other Schengen countries while the visa is valid. To apply, you will typically need an invitation from the Polish company or group you're visiting, proof of where you will be staying, travel insurance, and papers that show why you're making the business trip.
 

Medical Treatment Visa

The Poland Medical Treatment Visa, a Schengen short-stay visa (Type C), allows people from other countries to enter Poland for short-term medical reasons. This includes seeing doctors, having surgery, getting special treatments, or participating in rehab programs at approved medical centers.

This visa lets you stay in Poland for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It also lets you travel to other Schengen countries while the visa is good. People applying need to show a referral or appointment confirmation from a Polish healthcare provider. They also need to show they can pay for their treatment and stay, have travel insurance, and provide other needed papers.
 

Cultural, Sports, or Conference Visa

The Poland Cultural, Sports, or Conference Visa falls under the Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) category. This visa lets people from other countries enter Poland to take part in cultural events, sports matches, academic meetings, or related activities.

It allows a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day window and lets people travel to other Schengen countries while it is valid. People applying need to provide documents like an official invite or event registration, lodging details, travel insurance, and proof that they can afford their stay.
 

Visa-Free Entry (for Canadian Passport Holders)

Canadians do not need a visa for short trips (up to 90 days in a 180-day window) to Poland and other Schengen countries for tourism, business, or family visits.

Even without a visa, make sure you have a passport that's valid for at least three months after you plan to leave. You'll also need to show you have enough money, a ticket to leave, and travel insurance for the Schengen area. Starting in 2025, Canadians will need to get an ETIAS travel authorization before they go.
 

Who Should Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

If you plan to visit Poland, here are the visa requirements:

• This applies to foreign passport holders (e.g., Indian, Chinese, Nigerian) who live in Canada with permanent resident status, a work permit, or a student visa.
• You will need a visa if Poland requires one for your nationality.
• Make sure your passport is valid for at least three months past your planned return date.
• You should be able to provide proof that you have enough money, a place to stay, and a way to return home.
• Canadian citizens do not need a visa for stays shorter than 90 days. Starting in 2025, they will need to get an ETIAS travel authorization.

Poland Visit Visa Requirements from Canada

The documents required to apply for a Poland Visit Visa are given below.

• A passport valid for at least three months after your planned return, issued within the past ten years, with two blank pages.
• A completed Schengen visa application.
• Two passport-sized photographs that meet Schengen requirements.
• Travel medical insurance covering at least €30,000 within the Schengen area.
• Flight and accommodation confirmations (such as hotel bookings or an invitation letter).
• Proof of sufficient funds (recent bank statements or sponsor information).
• Proof of Canadian residency (PR card, visa, or permit).

How to Apply for a Poland Visit Visa from Canada?

The process to apply for a Poland Visit Visa is given below.

Step 1: Determine the right visa for your trip.

Step 2: Complete the application and collect what you need.

Step 3: Schedule an appointment at the Polish consulate or a visa center in Canada.

Step 4: Apply in person and give your photo and fingerprints.

Step 5: Receive your Poland Visit Visa.

Poland Visit Visa Fees in Canada

Detailed information about the application fees for Poland Visit Visa is given below.

Category	Fee (in EUR)	Approx. Fee in CAD
Adults (12+ years)	€ 80	~120 CAD
Children (6–11 years)	€ 40	~60 CAD
Children under 6 years	Free	Free
VAC Service Charges	Varies	~30–50 CAD

 

Processing Time for Poland Visit Visa

Detailed information for the processing time for the Poland Visit Visa is given below.

Processing Stage	Estimated Timeframe
Standard Processing	15 calendar days
Peak Travel Seasons	20–30 calendar days
Complex or Incomplete Applications	Up to 60 calendar days
Recommended Application Lead Time	At least 4–6 weeks before travel

.

Validity and Duration of Stay

The validity and duration of stay offered by Poland Visit Visa are given below.

Category	Details
Visa Validity Period	Typically valid for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
Maximum Duration of Stay	Allows a stay of up to 90 consecutive days per visit.
Entry Types	Can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or multiple-entry visas.
Schengen Zone Access	Valid for Poland and all other Schengen Area countries unless restricted.
Extension Possibility	Extensions allowed only in exceptional cases (e.g., medical emergencies).
Overstay Penalties	May result in fines, deportation, or bans from re-entering the Schengen Zone.

 

Tips to Avoid Visa Rejection

• Make sure your documents are complete, consistent, and current.
• Show strong financial and residential ties to Canada.
• Give a detailed and realistic travel plan.
• Do not submit false documents, as this can lead to long-term bans.
• Apply early to allow for unexpected delays.

Can You Extend Your Poland Visit Visa?

Yes, you can extend your Poland Visit Visa. You can ask the Polish immigration office for a visa extension before it expires if you have a really good reason, like a medical emergency. You'll need to provide solid proof, and the authorities will make the final decision.
 

How Can Y-Axis Help You?

Y-Axis is a leading visa and immigration consultancy, assisting travellers through the Poland Visit Visa application. With in-depth knowledge of Schengen visa rules, Y-Axis helps ensure applications are complete, correct, and processed with speed.

Our services include:

• Guidance in choosing the right type of Poland Visit Visa.
• Help filling out application forms and preparing needed documents.
• Help scheduling consulate appointments and planning travel.
• Support in getting travel insurance and financial documents.
• Regular updates on your visa status.