Poland is a great option for travelers, and Nigerians are among the large number of visa applicants seeking a Polish visa. Nigerians wishing to travel to Poland to work must get a Poland work visa. Don’t know how to start? You don’t need to panic; we will guide you through the application process and provide you with all the necessary information on how to apply, including booking appointments to make a successful visa application.
Nigerians must apply for a visa to enter Poland. If you are going for work reasons, you are supposed to have a Polish work permit visa. The permit will let you work as well as reside in Poland for a defined period.
Poland provides various types of visas for people who want to work in Poland. They comprise the National Visa-D, the work visa, which is applicable for long-term employment, and the National Visa-C, which is suitable for short-term work assignments.
Based on your particular employment type and duration, you must select the appropriate visa category. Here is the breakdown.
Types of Poland Work Visas
| Type A ‘airport transit’ visa | This kind of visa will let you move through Poland (and not stay anywhere outside the airport’s transit area) to another country in the Schengen zone. Nigerians are among the countries allowed to apply. However, check the embassy for more information. |
| Type C Visa (Schengen Visa) | This visa allows you to enter Poland for a short-term visit (maximum up to 90 days) only. |
| Type D Visa | For instance, if you are executing a work contract that has not been documented previously, like with a company outside of Poland, that VISA works well in that case. |
Poland Work Visa: Required Documents for Nigerians
As a Nigerian seeking a Poland work visa, you must provide the following documents:
- Valid Passport: Valid for at least 3 months from the intended period of exiting the country and should have at least two blank pages for the necessary stamp.
- Work Permit: Obtain a work permit issued by the Polish Voivode.
- Complete Application Form: Download the Poland work visa application form online via the e-Konsulat system, print it, and sign it.
- A duly completed visa application form signed by the applicant.
- Recent Photographs: A 3.5 x 4.5 cm color photo. against a white background and printed on quality paper,
- newer than 6 months,
- taken face-to-face, clearly showing the eyes and face on both sides from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders, with the face covering 70–80% of the photo. The photo must be taken without any headwear.
- Proof of Health Insurance: You must show proof of travel medical insurance covering all potential expenses, including repatriation.
- Proof of Accommodation: You must provide details of your accommodation in Poland.
- Proof of Funds: Your proof of financial stability is necessary and must be presented.
- Offer Letter: A job contract or offer from your Polish employer must be presented.
- Flight itinerary: Your flight itinerary details for entering and leaving Poland or the Schengen area might be requested.
- Police Clearance Certificate: Obtain a police clearance certificate from the Nigerian authorities.
- Visa Fee: You must pay the visa application fee, which varies depending on the visa type.
Work visa: Additional documents:
- Copy of the work permit.
- Written information from the future employer about the conditions of employment.
- Written evidence of contact with the potential employee, verification of his skills, etc.
- Evidence of the qualifications of the applicant (proof of employment in a given industry, career, certificates, diplomas, etc.).
- Any other documents required for the specific job (permits, authorizations, licenses, etc.).
- Hotel booking or other written proof of accommodation; applicants intending to live with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish or EU citizens in any other way, are required to submit an invitation registered in the Voivodeship Office.
- Documents regarding the family situation of the applicant (marriage or birth certificates).
Poland Work Visa for Nigerians: How to Apply
1. Gather all of your travel documents
These include a valid passport, a completed visa application form, proof of employment in Poland, proof of sufficient funds to cater for your stay while in Poland, a clean criminal record certificate, and a medical insurance policy.
Check and recheck to ensure that only genuine documents are submitted. This might not just be a simple visa denial but a possible ban on entry into the country as well.
2. Provide a letter of invitation (for business or work visas)
If you want to work in Poland as a Nigerian, one of the most significant steps in a visa application is getting an invitation letter. Therefore, this entry permit is proof that there is a true reason why you need to enter the country, either for business or work.
The letter of invitation should reveal the intent of your visit, the length of your stay, your salary, the number of work hours per week, and the name and contact details of the company inviting you. In addition, a stamped document from the Polish government that will confirm that you are authorized to work in Poland.
3. Download the Poland visa form
You can access the Poland work visa application form as a Nigerian applicant either from the official website of the Polish consulate or the embassy in Nigeria.
Another option is to go to the website of the Polish government’s immigration department, which usually gives forms of visa applications to be downloaded.
Make sure that you download the specific application form, depending on the type of visa you want to apply for.
4. Book an Appointment
To apply for a visa, book your appointment via e-Konsulat: https://secure2.e-konsulat.gov.pl, selecting the right category „National Visa: Register Form.”.
For work visas, register at the website https://secure2.e-konsulat.gov.pl. Choose Nigeria → Abuja → National Visa – register form → National visa – work. In the MENU tab, select the option “National visa—register the form,” and then select “National visa—work.”
Fill in the visa application containing your basic data and the data of the document entitling you to work in Poland. If the details entered are correct, you will receive an email with a link to complete the full visa application. You have 48 hours to complete your full application.
5. Go for your appointment and pay the visa fee
The visa fee is 80 euros. For details, see the full list of consular fees in the General Information Section (https://www.gov.pl/web/nigeria-en/consular-fees).
The fees must be paid at the office counter when applying.
Accepted forms of payment: cash.
The visa application fee is non-returnable, whatever the consul’s decision.
6. Wait for a decision
The consul will decide on the visa within 15 working days. If the documents need to be examined in more detail, the consideration period may be extended to 30 days.
Poland Work Visa Processing Time
Within 15 calendar days. However, if the documents need to be examined in more detail, the consideration period may be extended to 30 days.
Where to apply?
You can apply directly at the consular office:
Consular Section, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abuja
Address: 10, River Niger St., off Danube St., Maitama, Abudża, Nigeria
Tel.: +234 805 200 0204
E-mail: abuja.consulate@msz.gov.pl
Tips to help you get jobs in Poland from Nigeria
- Check Online Job Portals: Job websites and recruitment websites for international jobs are available online. Use them. Websites such as Indeed, Pracuj, Snaphunt, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn are usually full of job listings from big companies that are operating in Poland.
- Network with Professionals: Take advantage of social media platforms, professional networking events, and online forums to create a network with current professionals working in Poland. Through networking, you may get a good idea of job opportunities and industry trends.
- Contact Recruitment Agencies: Contact recruitment agencies that advertise international jobs or have affiliations with Polish companies. Once you sign up with them, they will keep sending available vacancies in Poland to foreigners.
Also read: Accredited Employer Work Visa: New Zealand Visas: How to Apply
Conclusion
Poland is a beautiful country and well-organized. In addition, the country is open to visitors so long as there is a genuine reason for visiting. Nigerians planning to travel to Poland with a Poland work visa should make sure the documents are genuine to prevent a visa denial.
Obtaining a Polish visa is one of the quickest in the Schengen zone; however, getting an appointment date from Nigeria can sometimes be stressful. To ensure that you get a close appointment date, you may need to apply early once you get a job in Poland.
Try writing to them, specifying your date of resumption; who knows, you might just get drawn to pools with close dates.
Note that there are agents selling appointment dates; if you must patronize them, verify their authenticity…
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