FAQs
Non-immigrant Visas
- How much is a non-immigrant visa application?
- Is there any way I can schedule a visa interview other than by calling the Infoline?
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I am a U.S. citizen and want to invite my Polish relative or friend to come to the United States. Is it required that I provide them with an invitation letter or an Affidavit of Support?
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If I bring documents such as a bank statement, employment agreement or an invitation with me to the visa interview, will I qualify for a nonimmigrant visa?
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Should the photo on my Nonimmigrant Visa application be the same as in my passport?
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My passport expired and I have a valid visa in it. How can I travel to the U.S.?
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I forgot to hand in my departure record (Form I-94) when I departed the United States. What should I do with it?
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I would like to apply for an Exchange Visitor visa (J-1 visa) to participate in the Summer Work and Travel program. Do I have to apply through an agency or can I submit the application myself?
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Are all children applying for nonimmigrant visas required to be at the visa interview?
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I am a student in Poland. What type of visa should I apply for?
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Where can I get an I-20 or DS-2019 (Certification of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status) form?
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I have a medical condition and cannot get the medical care that I need in Poland. How do I obtain a visa for medical treatment in the United States?
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Should I stay in the U.S. for the period of time that I wrote on my nonimmigrant visa application or for the period that I was granted entry by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry?
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I strongly disagree with the reasons given for my visa refusal. To whom and where do I send a letter of inquiry?
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I came to Poland for vacation from another country, where I am a resident. Can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Poland while I am here?
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What happens if I select an incorrect visa category when completing the DS-160 form?
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What should I do in a case of the loss of my passport with a valid U.S. visa?
Immigrant Visas
- I would like to live and work in the United States. How do I apply for an immigrant visa?
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How long must I stay in the U.S. after I have been granted Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status?
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What happens if the petitioner in an immigrant visa case resides in Poland and not in the United States?
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Can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa if an immigrant petition or a fiancée visa petition has been filed on my behalf?
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I am a Diversity Visa lottery winner, but I do not have a high school degree or the equivalent degree from a Polish school. Which professions meet the work requirement to qualify for a Diversity Visa?
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Do I need a job offer in the United States in order to apply for Diversity Visa?
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I have a visa interview scheduled. When I come to the Embassy, how long should I plan to stay in Warsaw ? When I will I get my visa?
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Do I have to have translated into English all the documents that are required for the visa interview?
Adoptions (non-Hague processing)
- My I-600A petition was approved for one child, but I found two siblings I'd like to adopt. What should I do?
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My I-600A petition will expire soon, before I can complete the adoption abroad. How can I extend its validity?
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My spouse has to return to the United States immediately. Can one parent come to Warsaw to apply for the immigrant visa?
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Do we need to file an I-864 (Affidavit of Support) and bring the last year tax return with us?
Non-immigrant Visas
How much is a non-immigrant visa application?
A: Information about the application fee. The amount should be paid in Polish zloty to the Embassy's account: Ambasada USA 00-540 Warszawa Al. Ujazdowskie 29/31, Citibank Handlowy w Warszawie SA, account number: 33 10301508 0000000500350016.
Applicants are encouraged to pay the application fee at the Polish Post Office. The Embassy has an agreement with Poczta Polska whereby applicants do not have to pay any handling fee for this service: they should not pay the usual 3-3.5 PLN. fee when making post office payments. Applicants who elect to pay through banks may incur transaction fees of up to 25 PLN (no banks have entered into agreements with the Embassy to waive their charges). The receipt must have the original stamp of a post office or a bank as well as the applicant's name, the bank account number and the words "opłata wizowa" written on it. Failure to have this verification will delay your visa processing. Receipts are not returned to applicants.
The application fee is not a fee for visa issuance. It is a non - refundable visa application fee charged to all U.S. visa applicants worldwide, regardless of whether a visa is ultimately issued or not.
Is there any way I can schedule a visa interview other than by calling the Infoline?
A: No, you must use the appointment line. To make an appointment or to get information you should call one of the following numbers:
0 703 700 120 from Polish Telecommunication billable phones or
* 740 94 00 from cellular phones of all networks.
You may call Monday through Friday, between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Calls to this line are charged 4.88 PLN per minute. The price is subject to change without notice. The line is accessible only within Poland but not from public telephones. The Visa Information Service can also be reached from anywhere in the world at (48) (22) 523 2000. Applicants may charge the 7.11 USD or 22 PLN fee per 7 minute call to a Visa or Master Card.
Those going as part of a group can also schedule a group appointment.
I am a U.S. citizen and want to invite my Polish relative or friend to come to the United States. Is it required that I provide them with an invitation letter or an Affidavit of Support?
A: Visa determinations by consular officers are not based on the assurances or guarantees of U.S. relative or friends. U.S. immigration law requires that each applicant qualify for a visa in his or her own right. It is the applicant’s situation, not that of his U.S. relatives or friends, that is decisive. Thus, invitation letters or Affidavits of Support are optional rather than mandatory for the interview, and the consular officer may choose not to review them if it appears that additional documents will not make a difference in the adjudication.
Can U.S. citizens be present during the visa interview?
A: U.S. citizens cannot be present during the interview but they are welcome to wait for their relatives or friends in the American Citizens Services Section.
If I bring documents such as a bank statement, employment agreement or an invitation with me to the visa interview, will I qualify for a nonimmigrant visa?
A: Interview and application forms are designed to elicit all necessary information. Applicants may want to consider bringing along documents that they feel are useful, but the consular officer may choose not to review them if it appears that additional documents will not make a difference in the adjudication.
Should the photo on my Nonimmigrant Visa application be the same as in my passport?
A: The photo does not need to be the same. However, it must reflect your current appearance, and must have been taken within the last six months. This is because the person who receives the application form must be able to verify that the passport is for the same person as the application. Please see Take your photograph additional details.
My passport expired and I have a valid visa in it. How can I travel to the U.S.?
A: If your visa is in a passport that has expired, you will need to get a new passport before you can travel to the United States. However, you do not need a new visa if the existing visa has not been damaged. You may travel with your old passport (with the valid visa inside) and your new passport. If your personal data has been changed (for example you have changed your surname to reflect your married status) it is your option if you want to apply for a new visa in a new passport or travel with both passports and explain the name change to the immigration officer at the U.S. border.
If you would like to have a new visa in your new passport, you should follow the instructions in How to Apply for a Visa to obtain a new visa. If your valid visa was issued after Dec. 10, 2007, it may not be necessary for you to be interviewed again in order to issue a new visa. Please see Applicants that do not require interviews for additional details. Both passports must be presented at the time of the application.
A: A visa cannot be renewed regardless of its type. You have to apply for a new visa and can do so by following the instructions in How to Apply for a Visa.
I forgot to hand in my departure record (Form I-94) when I departed the United States. What should I do with it?
A: Failure to turn in your I-94 when you leave the U.S. can cause problems during your next trip to the U.S. Without this record of your departure you may be identified as potentially having "overstayed" the length of your visa. Please see Register your Departure – I-94 Form for more information.
I would like to apply for an Exchange Visitor visa (J-1 visa) to participate in the Summer Work and Travel program. Do I have to apply through an agency or can I submit the application myself?
A: Students wanting to participate in the “Summer Work and Travel” program can apply for J visas either through an agency or on their own. Either method is acceptable. For more information please see the Summer Work and Travel Program.
Are all children applying for nonimmigrant visas required to be at the visa interview?
A: No, only children aged 14 and over must appear in person. If one of the parents of children below 14 years old has a valid U.S. visa, please follow the procedures outlined in the Applications for Children section of this website.
I am a student in Poland. What type of visa should I apply for?
A: The visa category depends on the reason for travel to the United States. Students studying in Poland, who are traveling to the United States as tourists, must apply for a tourist visa. If a student plans to take academic courses in the United States, or has been accepted at an accredited American university, au pair, or work-and-travel program, he or she must apply for a student (F-1) visa (using form I-20) or Exchange Visitor (J-1) visa (using DS-2019). Students should present a valid Form DS-2019 or I-20 at the time of their interview.
Where can I get an I-20 or DS-2019 (Certification of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status) form?
A: The University or travel program is responsible for providing the applicant with this form. All questions relating to this form should be addressed to a University representative or the program manager.
I have a medical condition and cannot get the medical care that I need in Poland. How do I obtain a visa for medical treatment in the United States?
A: An applicant whose primary reason for traveling to the United States is for medical treatment or evaluation should submit all documents described in Required Documents and provide the interviewing consular officer with the following information for adjudication of his/her visa:
- A medical report or statement from a physician stating the nature of the medical condition and the availability of treatment in Poland
- A statement from a licensed American physician, on official or hospital letterhead, describing: the medical problem based on documents sent from Poland; the treatment required; the cost of the treatment, in the worst-case scenario; the estimated time the treatment will require, in the worst-case scenario; the name of the person the physician believes will pay the cost of therapy or treatment; the relationship between the physician and the institution where the treatment will take place; and how much of the treatment is in-patient and how much is out-patient.
Please carefully review the instructions under Medical treatment in the United States before coming for an interview.
Should I stay in the U.S. for the period of time that I wrote on my nonimmigrant visa application or for the period that I was granted entry by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry?
A: You are permitted to stay in the United States for the length of time accorded to you by the U.S Customs and Border Protection officer at the port of entry. However, stays in the United States that appear to be inconsistent with your visa category or the purpose of your travel, regardless of how long you are technically permitted to stay in the United States by USCIS, may be considered during subsequent visa adjudications or applications to enter the United States.
I strongly disagree with the reasons given for my visa refusal. To whom and where do I send a letter of inquiry?
A: You may contact the Consular Section via email at publicwrw@state.gov. You may also send a letter to U.S. Embassy Consular Section, ul. Piekna 12, 00-540 Warsaw, Poland or reach us by fax number at (48) (22) 504-2088. In Krakow, you may send a letter to U.S. Consulate General, ul. Stolarska 9, 31-156 Krakow, or fax it to (48)(12) 424-5103.
I came to Poland for vacation from another country, where I am a resident. Can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa in Poland while I am here?
A: Anyone has the right to apply in the country and consular district within which they are physically present. However, because U.S. law requires that the interviewing officer assess your ties outside the United States, you may be better able to demonstrate those ties by applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate General in the country of where you are currently a resident. If you are a third-country national, you may apply for nonimmigrant visas in Poland. Your Polish permanent residence card would be helpful in demonstrating your ties to Poland.
How can I track if my passport/visa has been sent?
A: You may use your waybill number to check your delivery’s status on the DHL website: www.dhl.com.pl or by calling the DHL info-line: 801 345 345. To learn more, click here.
A: All passports are returned to applicants via DHL Express courier. To learn more, click here.
What happens if I select an incorrect visa category when completing the DS-160 form?
A: If you select an incorrect visa category when completing the DS-160 form you will be asked to fill out a new application. For additional information on visa categories please click here
What should I do in a case of the loss of my passport with a valid U.S. visa?
A:To help protect your identity, please report the loss of your passport with a valid U.S. visa to the Consular Section by e-mail at publicwrw@state.gov . Please provide your full name, date of birth, telephone number, the lost passport number, and the visa issuance date.
Can I choose whether to apply in Warsaw or Krakow?
A:Visa applicants are welcome to apply in either Warsaw or Krakow, regardless of where they are registered to live in Poland.
If you have a question that is not answered here, please visit the Nonimmigrant Visa website.
Immigrant Visas
I would like to live and work in the United States. How do I apply for an immigrant visa?
A: Certain applicants such as priority workers, investors, and certain special immigrants can petition on their own behalf. Diversity Visa (lottery) participants may also apply for immigration on their own behalf. All others must have a relative or potential employer file a petition for them. Applicants for family-sponsored immigrant visas should request that their U.S. citizen relative file a Petition for Alien Relative (Form I-130) with the nearest United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) office. Applicants for employment-based immigrant visas may require an approved petition (Form I-140) from the USCIS. Prior to filing a petition with the USCIS, both skilled and unskilled workers must obtain certification from the Department of Labor that there are no qualified workers available for the proposed employment in the United States. All other special immigrants file an I-360 petition with USCIS. An investor files a Form I-526 petition with the USCIS. Diversity Visa immigrants must file an application with the U.S. Department of State. Information on registration is announced each year by the State Department. For more information on immigrant visa categories click here.
How long is an immigrant petition valid?
A: Petition validity varies according to the type of petition filed. Fiancée (K) petitions are valid for four months. Family-based, immediate relative, and employment-based petitions are subject to the Termination of Registration rule. The rule states that in accordance with Section 203(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, an applicant’s registration for an immigrant visa shall be terminated if, within one year after transmission of a notification of the availability of an immigrant visa, the applicant fails to apply for an immigrant visa. If you have a specific question about the validity of a petition filed for you, please contact the Embassy directly for further assistance.
How long must I stay in the U.S. after I have been granted Legal Permanent Resident (LPR) status?
A: A person granted Legal Permanent Resident status in the United States must not remain outside the United States for more than one year. LPRs who have been outside the United States for more than one year are considered to have abandoned their U.S. residence and lose their LPR status.
What happens if the petitioner in an immigrant visa case resides in Poland and not in the United States?
A: U.S. immigration law requires that an immigrant visa applicant present an Affidavit of Support (Form I-864) from the petitioner/sponsor and that the petitioner be domiciled in the United States. If the residence requirement is not met, the beneficiary is not eligible for an immigrant visa.
Can I apply for a nonimmigrant visa if an immigrant petition or a fiancée visa petition has been filed on my behalf?
A: Under Section 214(b) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, consular officers must presume that every applicant for a nonimmigrant visa is an intending immigrant until the applicant shows otherwise. Applicants with immigrant visa petitions filed on their behalf have thereby demonstrated intent to immigrate to the United States. Therefore, their ability to convince a consular officer that they intend to travel for a short period of time, and for nonimmigrant purposes only, is likely to be lessened.
I am a Diversity Visa lottery winner, but I do not have a high school degree or the equivalent degree from a Polish school. Which professions meet the work requirement to qualify for a Diversity Visa?
A: The annual Diversity Visa program makes permanent residence visas available to persons meeting simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. An applicant must have either a high school education or its equivalent, defined as successful completion of a 12-year course of elementary and secondary education; or two years of work experience within the past five years in an occupation requiring at least two years of training or experience to perform. The U.S. Department of Labor’s O*Net OnLine database is used to determine qualifying work experience, http:/online.onetcenter.org.
Do I need a job offer in the United States in order to apply for Diversity Visa?
A: A written job offer in the United States is not required, but is often helpful in adjudicating a case and ensuring that new immigrants to the United States will have the financial means to support themselves and not become a public charge on the U.S. government. More information on Diversity Visas, including forms and instructions, is available here
If you have a question that is not answered here, or for more information on Immigrant Visas, please visit the Immigrant Visa page of this website here.
I have a visa interview scheduled. When I come to the Embassy, how long should I plan to stay in Warsaw ? When I will I get my visa?
A: As of July 1, 2005, all Polish applicants will receive their visas via DHL and should be prepared at the time of interview to provide an accurate address in Poland. Applicants should be prepared to pay 23 Polish zlotys per person for the DHL service at the time of visa delivery.
Do I have to have translated into English all the documents that are required for the visa interview?
A: Applicants from Poland do not need to bring English translations of original documents issued by appropriate Polish authorities (e.g. birth and marriage certificates, Zapytanie o Karalnosc). However, applicants who have been convicted must bring original court decision accompanied by the English translation. If the applicant's documents were issued in a different language (not Polish or English) each presented document must be accompanied by the English translation.
Is there a way to reschedule my immigrant visa appointment?
A: Applicants should keep the appointment date even if they are not ready with all necessary documents. Only in case of emergencies or serious health or family problems they should contact the Embassy regarding scheduling a new appointment.
Adoptions (non-Hague processing)
My I-600A petition was approved for one child, but I found two siblings I'd like to adopt. What should I do?
A: The USCIS approves prospective parents to adopt a specified number of children, based on the home study. The USCIS informs the Embassy of the number of children the prospective parents may adopt, as well as any limitations on those children (i.e., ages, health conditions). The Embassy can issue immigrant visas only up to the number of children for which the adopting parents have been pre-approved. If adopting parents wish to adopt more children than noted in their approval notice (I-600A), they must contact the USCIS office in the U.S. where they filed their I-600A to obtain approval for additional children. In some cases, it may be necessary for the adopting parents to submit an updated home study in order to receive approval to adopt additional children. We recommend that prospective adoptive parents confirm they have USCIS approval for the number of children they wish to adopt before they leave the United States.
My I-600A petition will expire soon, before I can complete the adoption abroad. How can I extend its validity?
A: An approved I-600A. is valid for 18 months from date of approval, provided the prospective parents' circumstances do not change. (Alterations in the parents' circumstances—marriage, divorce, change of residence, change of employment, additional dependent, etc.—requires an amendment to the home study and a revalidation of the I-600A.) The adoptive parents must re-apply for the petition with the USCIS office that approved the original application if they wish to adopt a child abroad after their I-600A has expired. For more information on adoption procedures, please click here
My spouse has to return to the United States immediately. Can one parent come to Warsaw to apply for the immigrant visa?
A: Some documents must bear the original signature of both parents. If you are applying for an IR-4 visa, or your spouse is not coming to Warsaw with you, please ensure that you will be able to provide signatures on all such documents. The parent who is coming to Warsaw must be an American citizen in order to file an I-600 petition here.
Do we need to file an I-864 (Affidavit of Support) and bring the last year tax return with us?
A: Form I-864, Affidavit of Support, and supporting documentation are required only for IR-4 visa adoption cases. For IR-3 cases you must submit form I-864W. Please also bring a copy of your most recent tax return with you.
If you have a question that is not answered here, or for more information on Adoptions, please visit the Adoptions page of this website. The following link has information about adopting a child from Poland and general adoption information can be found here.