How do I extend my visa in Poland?

Are you a Ukrainian or a national of any other country and wondering how to extend your visa in Poland? In this article, we describe the procedure for extending a Polish visa and the procedure for extending a Schengen visa in Poland. We also explain the requirements that must be met and how to complete the application form.

Visa extension for Ukrainians (and others!) – requirements

The exact conditions for extending a residence visa in Poland can be found in Article 82 of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2023, item 519, as amended).

The conditions that must be met CUMULATIVELY are:

1. There must be a compelling professional or personal interest on the part of the foreign national, or they must be unable to leave the territory of the Republic of Poland on humanitarian grounds before the expiry of the national visa (or before the end of the authorised period of stay covered by that visa);
2. Events which are the reason for applying for an extension of the national visa and which occurred independently of the foreign national’s will and could not have been foreseen on the date of submitting the application for a national visa;
3. Circumstances of the case which do not indicate that the purpose of the foreign national’s stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland will be other than that declared;
4. There are no circumstances which would lead to the refusal to issue a national visa.

Application to extend a Ukrainian visa in Poland – how to extend a visa in Poland?

Decisions to extend a visa or to refuse its extension are issued by the provincial governor with jurisdiction over the foreign national’s place of residence. Therefore, depending on which province you live in, that is where you should submit your application to extend your visa.

You can submit your application in person at the relevant provincial office, or by posting it to the office’s address. Please note, however, that you must do this no later than the last day on which your visa is still valid. If you decide to use the postal service, the date of posting the application at the post office will be taken as the date of submission.

What if I submit an application to extend my visa after it has expired?

Unfortunately, in accordance with Article 86 of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2023, item 519, as amended): “If a foreign national submits an application to extend a Schengen visa or a national visa after its expiry date (…), proceedings regarding the extension of that visa shall not be initiated.” Submitting an application for a visa extension after the visa has expired will therefore mean that an extension cannot be granted.

What should be included in the application? Template for a visa extension application for foreign nationals

The information that should be included in a visa extension application is set out in Article 85 of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreign Nationals (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2023, item 519, as amended).

In accordance with this provision, the form should contain:

1. Basic details of the foreign national (such as their: first name, surname, nationality, marital status, education, occupation, etc.);
2. Details of the travel document held by the foreign national;
3. Information on any Schengen visas or national visas issued to the foreign national;
4. Reasons for the application to extend the visa;
5. Information on the foreign national’s travels and stays abroad over the last 5 years;
6. Information on the financial resources available to cover the foreign national’s living expenses;
7. Information on the foreign national’s health insurance;
8. Information on the foreign national’s employment within the territory of the Republic of Poland.

Application forms for the extension of a Polish visa, as well as for the extension of a Schengen visa in Poland, are set out in the Regulation of the Minister of the Interior of 5 May 2014 on the extension of visas for foreign nationals. It is therefore best to use these forms.

What is the period of validity of a visa extended by the provincial governor?

In accordance with paragraph 2 of Article 84 of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2023, item 519, as amended), a national visa may be extended only once, and the period of stay under an extended national visa may not exceed the period specified for a national visa (which, in practice, is 1 year).

The only exceptions to this rule are cases where foreign nationals are in hospital and whose state of health prevents them from leaving Polish territory.

Not sure how to extend your Ukrainian visa in Poland?

Are you a Ukrainian whose national visa or Schengen visa is about to expire and you’re not sure how to extend your visa in Poland? Or perhaps you’re a business owner who employs foreign nationals and are wondering how to arrange visas for them?

The ‘Firma Dla Każdego’ Foundation provides comprehensive assistance with matters relating to foreign nationals, including the extension of visas for employees from Ukraine or any other country.

You can find more information about the range of assistance offered by the ‘Firma Dla Każdego’ Foundation at: https://firmadlakazdego.pl/cudzoziemcy/.