Non-Schengen Polish visas to cost 60 euro starting from November
ERB has found out that Polish visas will not be real Schengen visas in spite of their Schengen cost. It will be possible to use them to go only to Poland. Belarusians will have to pay 60 euro for Polish visas starting from November 1. A representative of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affaires Gzhegazh Korchinski explained that it would be something like “a rehearsal before the real Schengen”.
“Poland will start giving out visas in accordance with Schengen regulations on November 1. However, they will not be real Schengen visas. The thing is that the decision to accept Poland in the Schengen Agreement will be taken in December and Poland has to prove that it will be able to work according to the EU terms”.
Belarusians will have to pay 60 euro for such a visa – just like for a Schengen visa. But they will only be able to use it to go to Poland. The procedure of getting a visa will also become more complicated:
“Some additional documents proving the purpose of your trip may be needed, - explains Gzhegazh Korchinksi. –A voucher, a confirmation of having booked a room in a hotel and an invitation may be needed in addition to the usual appeal for a visa. The most important change (it will be introduced in 2008) is a 30 thousand euro medical insurance”.
It will be possible to use this visa to travel in the Schengen area starting from January 2008 – for 90 days if you have a short-term visa.
It will also take longer to get a visa – up to 10 days.
To give out a visa the Polish consul will have to discuss it with the Ministry of Foreign Affaires in Warsaw and with the Schengen administration. However, you can get a “Polish Schengen” during two days in case of emergency.
The representative of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affaires said that there would probably be special internal visas for students.
— They need long-term visas instead of the 90-days one, - says Mr. Korchinski. – We will probably create special visas for them. They will be valid only Poland.
Ethnic Poles living in Belarus cannot be taken into account according to Schengen regulations. However, Poland is working on a special “Pole’s card”.
If this card is introduced, it will simplify the procedure of getting a visa for its owner. Even 5-year visas may be given to owners of such cards. But the visa will be valid only in Poland. A permission to stay will not allow travelling outside Poland without a visa.
It is necessary to mention that the procedure of getting a visa will be simplified and it will cost 35 euro for Russians and Ukrainians due to bilateral agreements of these countries and the European Union. Belarus is still taking its time before signing such agreements.
“Poland will start giving out visas in accordance with Schengen regulations on November 1. However, they will not be real Schengen visas. The thing is that the decision to accept Poland in the Schengen Agreement will be taken in December and Poland has to prove that it will be able to work according to the EU terms”.
Belarusians will have to pay 60 euro for such a visa – just like for a Schengen visa. But they will only be able to use it to go to Poland. The procedure of getting a visa will also become more complicated:
“Some additional documents proving the purpose of your trip may be needed, - explains Gzhegazh Korchinksi. –A voucher, a confirmation of having booked a room in a hotel and an invitation may be needed in addition to the usual appeal for a visa. The most important change (it will be introduced in 2008) is a 30 thousand euro medical insurance”.
It will be possible to use this visa to travel in the Schengen area starting from January 2008 – for 90 days if you have a short-term visa.
It will also take longer to get a visa – up to 10 days.
To give out a visa the Polish consul will have to discuss it with the Ministry of Foreign Affaires in Warsaw and with the Schengen administration. However, you can get a “Polish Schengen” during two days in case of emergency.
The representative of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affaires said that there would probably be special internal visas for students.
— They need long-term visas instead of the 90-days one, - says Mr. Korchinski. – We will probably create special visas for them. They will be valid only Poland.
Ethnic Poles living in Belarus cannot be taken into account according to Schengen regulations. However, Poland is working on a special “Pole’s card”.
If this card is introduced, it will simplify the procedure of getting a visa for its owner. Even 5-year visas may be given to owners of such cards. But the visa will be valid only in Poland. A permission to stay will not allow travelling outside Poland without a visa.
It is necessary to mention that the procedure of getting a visa will be simplified and it will cost 35 euro for Russians and Ukrainians due to bilateral agreements of these countries and the European Union. Belarus is still taking its time before signing such agreements.
