HUMANITARIAN VISA IN POLAND

Humanitarian visa – who can apply?

A humanitarian visa allows countries to provide assistance to people who need legal and safe access to international protection. Recently, the regulations governing the issuance of humanitarian visas to citizens of Ukraine and Belarus have changed significantly.

In this article, you will learn:

• What are humanitarian visas?
• Who can apply for a humanitarian visa?
• What rights do they confer?
• How do you obtain a humanitarian visa?
• What changes have come into force regarding visas for citizens of Ukraine and Belarus?

What is a humanitarian visa?

Humanitarian visas allow you to stay legally in a country of which you are not a citizen. It is a special type of document, as it is granted to people in exceptional circumstances. Humanitarian visas are intended for citizens who face danger, repression or persecution in their own country, for example due to their political views or a state of war with another country.

The European Union allows humanitarian visas to be issued for a wide variety of reasons. They are granted, for example, to LGBT people or Christians from Syria. 

Humanitarian visas – who are they granted to?

In Poland, humanitarian visas became a hot topic during the protests in Belarus and the associated repression of that country’s citizens. In 2021, over 9,000 humanitarian visas were issued to Belarusians seeking refuge from the regime. In previous years, such visas were issued very rarely – only a few per year.

An armed conflict is currently underway in Ukraine. It is highly likely that many citizens of that country will begin applying for humanitarian visas in Poland.

What rights do humanitarian visas confer?

A citizen who has been granted a humanitarian visa may:

• stay legally in Poland;
• take up employment without the need for additional permits.

How do you apply for a humanitarian visa in Poland?

To obtain a humanitarian visa, you must complete and sign the visa application form. This is available on the website of the relevant consulate. You must attach the following documents to your application:

• a travel document;
• a photograph of the visa applicant;
• travel medical insurance;
• other supporting documents.

Please note! The travel document must have at least two blank pages. It must have been issued within the last 10 years. Its validity must not expire earlier than three months after the expiry of the visa. However, the supporting documents vary depending on the country in which the person is applying for a humanitarian visa.

For detailed information on the visa application procedure, please contact a consultant. There is no fee for submitting an application for a humanitarian visa. The visa is valid for a maximum of one year. If your application is refused, you can always request a review of the decision.

Changes to humanitarian visas for citizens of Belarus and Ukraine

People who have arrived in Poland from Ukraine or Belarus may apply for humanitarian visas after booking an appointment. This can be done via the website: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/pol/pl/pol/

Applications for humanitarian visas may be submitted from 22 September 2022. The relevant documents must be submitted to one of the visa application centres. These are located at the following addresses:

• in Warsaw, at Al. Jerozolimskie 181B (ground floor, entrance B-1), between 8.30 am and 4.30 pm;
• in Poznań, at 19 Franciszka Ratajczaka Street (ground floor), from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm;
• in Lublin, at 39A Tomasza Zana Street (4th floor), from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm.

At present, a large number of citizens of Ukraine and Belarus are applying for humanitarian visas. Consequently, the time taken to process applications may be longer than usual. Those who are unable to submit a complete set of documents by the specified deadline should check the websites of the above-mentioned centres regularly. New deadlines are sure to be announced again shortly.

Visas for Belarusians and Ukrainians – which groups are eligible?

This matter is governed by the Regulation of the Minister for Foreign Affairs of 18 August 2022 on the issuance of national visas to foreign nationals staying in the territory of the Republic of Poland. In accordance with its provisions, an application for a humanitarian visa may be submitted by:

• citizens of Ukraine and citizens of the Republic of Belarus who are applying for a visa to work as drivers in international road transport or non-commercial international road transport;
• citizens of Ukraine who are applying for a visa to work as a pilot or other member of the crew of a civil aircraft;
• citizens of the Republic of Belarus applying for the visas referred to in Article 60(1)(23) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreign Nationals (a visa issued on humanitarian grounds, in the national interest or in accordance with international obligations).

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