Poland in Nigeria

You can apply directly at the consular office:

Consular Section, Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Abuja

Adress: 10, River Niger St., off Danube St., Maitama, Abudża, Nigeria
Tel.: +234 805 200 0204
E-mail: abuja.consulate@msz.gov.pl

Visa application form must be submitted in person. Diplomatic mission does not accept application forms sent via fax, regular mail or e-mail.

In order to apply for a visa, please book your appointment via the e-Konsulat: https://secure2.e-konsulat.gov.pl selecting the right category „National Visa – Register Form”.

Registration of a visa application for a different purpose than indicated in the selected type of a visa/registration section, making substantial changes in the visa application after completing the registration will cause a visa application rejection. Please register visa applications carefully and with proper attention.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The Consular Section of the Polish Embassy in Abuja does not collaborate with any agents or commercial visa agencies. These entities are unable to secure visa appointments. The only cost involved is the visa fee charged by the Consulate.

Please note that:

1. Applicants must correctly input all of their personal details on the application form during the registration procedure.
2. Applicants must input the correct details of their valid passport.
3. Applicants are obliged to input their complete and personal details on the application form: complete residential address (including the house number, street name, city/town, province, and zip code) AND personal contact details (e.g. email address and landline or mobile number).
4. You are required to show up exactly on time with all required documents.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The earliest you can apply is 6 months before you intend to travel. You should apply no later than 15 days in advance.

NATIONAL VISA – STUDY

In order to book an appointment visit the e-konsulat and select the right category: National visa – study.

NOTE – When registering, provide full and authentic data contained in the submitted documents. The data entered in the application must be consistent with the data contained in the documents (also in terms of spelling).

You are required to show up exactly on time. It will not be possible to change the assigned date. We will accept just original documents (scans and photos are not acceptable). You must come to the consular office on the selected date with the printed and signed visa form and all required documents. The list of required documents can be found on the Embassy's website: https://www.gov.pl/web/nigeria-en/d-type-national-visa

 ​​​​​​WORK VISA

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 enter your full application. Fill out the application, save it and print it. If the data is not properly verified or the full application is not completed within 48 hours, the registration will be canceled. If there are more than the available places available, the appointment dates will be allocated by electronic drawing.

After the draw, you will receive information about its results and:

• when your application has been selected, you will receive information about the date of the visit,
• if your application has not been selected in a given pool of shared visits, it goes to the next draw.

Appointments are allocated once a week by automated drawing. If your application was selected for interview you will be informed by email. Registered applications remain valid and take part in drawing in the following weeks, so there is no need to register again.

You are required to show up exactly on time. It will be not possible to change the assigned date. We will accept just original documents (scans and photos are not acceptable). 

Employees of consular offices cannot interfere with the process of drawing applications, which will be assigned the date of the visit. All information, confirmations, and links to fill in the applications are sent automatically by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by you.

You must come to the consular office on the selected date with the printed and signed visa form, the original work permit and all required documents.

1. A visa application form filled via the e-konsulat system, printed and signed.
2. A 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo. The photo must be:

1. sharp, taken against white background and printed on a quality paper,
2. newer than 6 months,
3. taken en 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.

3. Passport issued within last ten years, valid for at least three months from the expected return date, with at least two blank pages for visas.
4. A copy of the passport page with personal data and the photo. 
5. Copy of flight ticket or flight reservation including return flight.
6. A person applying for a national visa should personally submit a document confirming the possession of travel medical insurance, referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) or a document confirming the possession of health insurance within the meaning of the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from public funds. Travel medical insurance with an insurance amount of no less than EUR 30,000 must be valid for the period of the intended stay of the foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Poland, cover all expenses that may arise during the stay in this territory due to the necessity of return travel for medical reasons, the need for urgent assistance medical, emergency hospital treatment or with death, in which the insurer undertakes to cover the costs of healthcare services provided to the insured directly to the entity providing such benefits, on the basis of a bill issued by this entity. More information: https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas in the tab à Information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the insurers and the insurances that they offer, which meet the necessary conditions referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) and Article 25 (1b) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners
7. A copy of an ID document to confirm legal residence within the consular district of your application.
8. Proof that you have enough means of subsistence in the form decided by the mission.
9. A proof of accommodation (for example, an official invitation or a hotel booking or reservation).
10. Documents confirming the purpose of your stay Poland.

Additionally, when applying for a visa for a minor you should present:

• Written consent of the child’s/minor’s parent(s) to apply for a visa, confirmed by a notary. If there is only one guardian, it should be proved by a birth certificate, a court decision on exclusive parental custody or a death certificate of the other parent.
• Originals and copies of parents' passports.
• An original and a copy of a birth certificate.
• If the child is entered in the parent's or legal guardian’s passport, please submit a separate visa application.  The visa will be pasted into the parent's or the legal guardian's passport.

TOURISM – additional documents:

1. Hotel reservation or proof of other accommodation; for applicants planning to stay with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens in any other way, an invitation registered with appropriate Polish authorities (Urzad Wojewodzki) is required.
2. Documents regarding applicant’s sufficient means of subsistence during intended stay, such as: introduction letter from employer with employer’s consent for travel; salary slips; proof of business ownership; personal/business bank account statements; proof of income generated by property; letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
3. Proof of employment:

1. Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC) and Certificate of Business Incorporation paper for businesspersons.
2. Employment letter stating the days of leave for employees.
3. For scholars (professors, scholarship-holders, lecturers, instructors, etc.) and students, letter from school or University.

4. Proof of commercial activitied in Nigeria and overseas for businesspersons e.g. bills of lading, receipt book, etc.
5. Any proof of ties in Nigeria (marriage  certificate, proof or real estate property).

FAMILY OR FRIENDS VIST – additional documents:

1. Copy of written and signed invitation from inviting person, stating conditions of visit (period of stay, who covers expenses etc.).
2. Hotel reservation or proof of other accommodation; for applicants planning to stay with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens in any other way, an invitation registered with appropriate Polish authorities (Urzad Wojewodzki) is required;
3. For family visits - merriage certificate. Local mArriage certificate should be registered in Poland (more info: Legalization of documents).
4. For friends visits – proof of friendly relationship between applicant and person to be visited (correspondence, photos, etc.).
5. Photocopy of inviting person’s Polish/EU passport/national ID (if applicable) and – in case the inviting person is not a Polish/EU citizen – photocopy of the inviting person’s visa or residence  permit in Poland/EU.
6. Documents regarding applicant’s sufficient means of subsistence during intended stay, such as: introduction letter from employer with employer’s consent for travel; salary slips; proof of business ownership; personal/business bank account statements; proof of income generated by property; letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
7. Documents regarding applicant’s family situation (marriage/birth certificates).

BUSINESS VISITS – additional documents:

1. Copy of written and signed invitation from inviting person or institution, stating the purpose and conditions of visit (period of stay, who covers expenses etc.).
2. Hotel reservation or proof of other accommodation; for applicants planning to stay with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens in any other way, an invitation registered with appropriate Polish authorities (Urzad Wojewodzki) is required.
3. Tax clearance certificate and certificate of  business incorporation of institution delegating applicant for visit.
4. Copy of tax clearance certificate and certificate of business incorporation of Polish business institution inviting applicant for visit.
5. Proof of commercial activities in country of residence, recent business contacts with inviting company (contracts, bills, commercial correspondence, etc.).
6. Proof of previous business dealings with other Polish/Schengen institutions.
7. For business conferences, fairs, seminars, congresses, etc. – invitation; proof of registration and payment of fees; other documents proving the existence of trade or work relations.
8. Documents regarding applicant’s sufficient means of subsistence during intended stay, such as: introduction letter from employer with employer’s consent for travel; salary slips; proof of business ownership; personal/business bank account statements; proof of income generated by property; letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
9. Documents regarding applicants family situation (marriage/birth certificates).
    

WORK VISA – additional documents:

1. Copy of work permit.
2. Written information from the future employer about the conditions of employment.
3. Written evidence of contact with the potential employee, verification of his skills, etc .
4. Evidence of the qualifications of the applicant (proof of employment in a given industry, career, certificates, diplomas, etc.).
5. Any other documents required for the specific job (permits, authorizations, licenses, etc.).
6. Hotel booking or other written proof of accommodation; applicants intending to live with family or friends, or being sponsored by Polish / EU citizens in any other way, are required to submit an invitation registered in the Voivodeship Office.
7. Documents regarding the family situation of the applicant  (marriage / birth certificates).

STUDY, RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT WORK

Required documents:

1. A completed visa application form filled via the e-konsulat system, printed and signed.
2. A 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo. The photo must be:

• sharp, taken against white background and printed on a quality paper,
• newer than 6 months,
• taken straight ahead, 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.

3. Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least three months from the expected return date, with at least two blank pages for visas. If you have a second valid passport, please attach it to your visa application.
4. A copy of the passport page with personal data and the photo.
5. A copy of flight ticket or flight reservation including return flight.
6. A person applying for a national visa should personally submit a document confirming the possession of travel medical insurance, referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) or a document confirming the possession of health insurance within the meaning of the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from public funds. Travel medical insurance with an insurance amount of no less than EUR 30,000 must be valid for the period of the intended stay of the foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Poland, cover all expenses that may arise during the stay in this territory due to the necessity of return travel for medical reasons, the need for urgent assistance medical, emergency hospital treatment or with death, in which the insurer undertakes to cover the costs of healthcare services provided to the insured directly to the entity providing such benefits, on the basis of a bill issued by this entity. More information about insurance: https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas in the tab: Information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about the insurers and the insurances that they offer, which meet the necessary conditions referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) and Article 25 (1b) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners
7. A document to confirm legal residence within the consular district of your application.
8. Documents confirming the possession of financial resources to cover the costs of return travel and the costs of stay in Poland. The minimum required amount of financial resources that should is as follows:

1. If applicant is alone in Poland:

• 2 500 PLN for a return trip;
• cost of accommodation on the basis of hotel booking or rental agreement;
• 776 PLN for every month of stay (776 PLN x 12 months = 9 312 PLN) or their equivalent in a foreign currency.

2. If applicant stays in Poland with family members:

• 2 500 PLN for a return trip (Dz.U.2022.78 t.j.);
• cost of accommodation on the basis of hotel booking or rental agreement;
• 600 PLN for every month of stay for the applicant and each member of family; or their equivalent in a foreign currency.

Required documents confirming the possession of financial resources (to be selected from the list – there is no obligation to present all of the listed ones):

1. Original bank statement from the last 6 months, containing contact details of the bank employee responsible for confirming documents.
2. The original certificate of the possession of funds in a bank having its registered office in the territory of the Republic of Poland.
3. The original of the sponsorship letter confirmed by the consul – if the applicant does not cover his stay in Poland by himself. The sponsor confirms that he has funds to cover the costs of the return trip and the costs of the applicant's stay in Poland on the basis of the documents listed in point a, b. Only a family member may be a sponsor – when submitting the documents, the applicant should present documents confirming the relationship between the applicant and the sponsor.
4. A document confirming the granting of a national or foreign scholarship.

9. Written proof of accommodation in Poland for the entire period of validity of the visa, along with the amount of the rental. Applicants who intend to live with family or friends, or who are sponsored by Polish / EU citizens in any other way, are required to submit an invitation registered with appropriate Polish authorities (Urząd Wojewódzki).

Additionally, when applying for a visa for a minor you should present:

• Written consent of the child’s/minor’s parent(s) to apply for a visa, confirmed by a notary. If there is only one guardian, it should be proved by a birth certificate, a court decision on exclusive parental custody or a death certificate of the other parent.
• Parents’ passports – originals and copies.
• Birth certificate – original and copy.
• If the child is entered in the parent's or legal guardian’s passport, please submit a separate visa application.  The visa will be pasted into the parent's or the legal guardian's passport.

Other required documents:

1. The original acceptance letter of the unit conducting the studies on admission to studies or on continuation of studies.
2. In the case of people applying for a visa for the purpose of conducting scientific research - an agreement on admitting a foreigner for the purpose of conducting scientific research or development work, concluded with a research unit based in the territory of the Republic of Poland as an employment contract, contract for specific work, contract of mandate or other civil law contract. The contract should specify:

1. the title or purpose of the research or development work or its subject;
2. the researcher's commitment to participate in the conduct of research or development work;
3. commitment of the research unit to provide the researcher with conditions to fulfill his obligation;
4. the start and the end dates or the estimated duration of the research or development work;
5. the researcher's remuneration and other working conditions;
6. information on planned research or development works in the territory of other Member States of the European Union.

3. Proof of payment of the fees (if aplicable).
4. Diplomas being the basis for recruitment for studies with superlegalisation.
5. Other additional documents confirming education (eg. English certicicate, course and training diplomas/certificates) with superlegalisation.

Documents should be presented in English or Polish.

VOLUNTEERING, INTERNSHIP– additional documents:

1. Acceptance letter.
2. All documents required by the institution.
3. Confirmation of payment of fees (if applicable).
4. Documents regarding applicants family situation (marriage/birth certificates).
5. Travel medical insurance valid for the entire period of intended stay plus at least 2 days; valid for all Schengen countries; minimum coverage 30,000 EUR.
6. Hotel reservation or written proof of another accommodation FOR THE ENTIRE PERIOD OF VISA VALIDITYalong with the amount of the rental; for applicants planning to stay with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens in any other way, an invitation registered with appropriate Polish authorities (Urzad Wojewodzki) is required.

9. Documents confirming the possession of financial resources to cover the costs of return travel and the costs of stay in Poland. The minimum required amount of financial resources that should is as follows:

• 1. If applicant is alone in Poland:
• 2 500 PLN for a return trip;
• cost of accommodation on the basis of hotel booking or rental agreement;
• 776 PLN for every month of stay (776 PLN x 12 months = 9 312 PLN) or their equivalent in a foreign currency.

• 2. If applicant stays in Poland with family members:
• 2 500 PLN for a return trip (Dz.U.2022.78 t.j.);
• cost of accommodation on the basis of hotel booking or rental agreement;
• 600 PLN for every month of stay for the applicant and each member of family; or their equivalent in a foreign currency.

MEDICAL TREATMENT – additional documents:

1. 1. Certificate from the applicant's physician or a hospital in country of residence, confirming the need for specific medical treatment to be provided in the country of destination.
   2. Copy of written, official confirmation of the receiving medical institution that it can perform the specific medical treatment and that the patient will be accepted accordingly.
   3. Proof of pre-payment of the treatment or other proof of sufficient financial means to cover the medical treatment and related expenses, such as additional insurance coverage.
   4. Any other correspondence between the sending and receiving sides, if available.
   5. Hotel reservation or proof of another accommodation. For applicants planning to stay with family or friends or being sponsored by Polish/EU citizens in any other way, an invitation registered with appropriate Polish authorities (Urzad Wojewodzki) is required.
   6. Documents regarding applicant’s sufficient means of subsistence during intended stay, such as: introduction letter from employer with employer’s consent for travel; salary slips; proof of business ownership; personal/business bank account statements; proof of income generated by property; letter from sponsor and documents regarding sponsor’s financial situation.
   7. Documents regarding applicants family situation (marriage/birth certificates).

RESEARCH AND TRAINING – additional documents:

1. Certificate of enrolment at an educational establishment for the purpose of studying, undertaking scientific or practical trainings (including vocational training) or other activities that could help enhance the professional and intellectual skills of the applicant.
2. Student cards or certificates in respect of the courses to be attended.
3. Proof of pre-payment of courses or training activities, if applicable.

OFFICIAL MISSION OR OFFICAL PURPOSES – additional documents:

1. A verbal note issued by the Nigerian Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirming that the applicant is a member of an official delegation or on an official mission to a Member State.
2. Invitation letter or confirmation of registration from the host organisation.

SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES, CULTURAL, SPORT, RELIGIOUS EVENTS OR OTHER REASONS – additional documents:

1. Copy of the official invitation.
2. Invitation, entry tickets, enrolments or programmes stating (wherever possible) the name of the host organisation, the length of stay or other documents proving the purpose of the journey.

Please note:

• You must apply for a visa in a consular office or the embassy’s consular department in the consular district of your place of residence.
• Usually, the above documents are enough to receive a visa, however, the consul may require additional documents.
• The consul may, but does not have to, invite the applicant for an interview.
• The D-type visas allow to stay in other Schengen states for 90 days of any 180-day period. It means that you can legally stay in the Schengen Area only if your stay was shorter than 90 days over the past 180 days.  
• The D-type visa is valid for a maximum of one year.
• Please note, that receiving the visa does not guarantee that you will enter Poland - the final decision is always made by the Border Guard.

The fee for reconsideration of an application for a national visa (D) is 135 EUR.
For details see the full list of consular fees at the General Information Section (https://www.gov.pl/web/nigeria-en/consular-fees )

The fees must be paid at the office counter when submitting the application.

Accepted forms of payment: cash.

The visa application fee is non-returnable, whatever the consul's decision.

The consul will make the decision on the visa within 15 calendar days. If the documents need to be examined in more detail, the consideration period may be extended to 30 days.

ATTENTION: Student's visas are considered within 15-21 days. If the documents need to be examined in more detail, the consideration period may be extended to 30 days.

The decisions can be collected (only personally or by a duly authorized person) on the date indicated by the consular officer upon submitting your visa application, between 13:30 and 14:30. In the event that the said dates fall on a holiday, the visa decisions will be released on the next working day at the same time.

Please kindly note: 

• Applicants are informed during their visa application the date of their passport collection on the issued receipt. Applicants are then advised to keep this receipt as proof of their entry to the Embassy and for further easy reference on the date of release.
• Applicants may authorize a representative to claim the passport and visa decision on their behalf. The Embassy will then be requiring for a signed and handwritten authorization letter of the applicant together with the receipt and government-issued IDs of both the applicant and the representative (these must also be done in an A4 size paper).
• The Embassy does not dispatch documents via courier.

If you do not agree with the consul's decision, you may ask to have your visa application re-considered. You must apply for the reconsideration in the office that issued the decision within 14 days of its delivery.

An applicant (or a person acting on his/her behalf upon a written authorization) needs to come to the Embassy during reception hours (Monday – Friday from 2:30pm to 3:30pm) without appointment, with the documents, pay 80 EUR and present the case. 

The application fee in this case is 80 euro.

Please note that an appeal cannot be completed by mail or by sending documents through DHL. 

If 14 days have already passed, the applicant needs to make a new appointment on-line.

The charging fees issues for educational services by public universities are regulated in the Act of 20 July 2018, Law on Higher Education and Science, and in the case of non-public universities, they result from the internal regulations of these universities.

Students conclude civil law contracts with universities, which contain special conditions related to the admission process, the course of studies, as well as provisions regarding the amount of the fees and the rules related to the fee refunds. Candidates for studies should carefully study these documents in detail, in particular the provisions on the rules for obtaining the refund of the paid tuition fees.

Refund issues are settled between students and universities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, the Embassies of the Republic of Poland, as well as the Consulates of the Republic of Poland do not mediate in issues between the student and the university and do not have legal measures allowing a foreigner, who has been refused a student visa, to obtain a refund of the tuition fees.

If the university fails to comply with the provisions of the contract concluded with the student, in particular, it has not refunded the fee, claims regarding student fees may only be pursued through civil law.