There are various types of visas for Poland, depending on the purpose of your stay, such as work, studies, or tourism. The specific visa you need to apply for depends on your reason for traveling. If you are a citizen of an EU/EEA country or any Schengen country, or if your country has a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area (like the US, Australia, Canada, Georgia, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and others), you do not need a visa for Poland. However, if you are from a country that does not have a visa-free agreement with the Schengen Area (such as India, China, Morocco, Thailand, Turkey, Egypt, etc.), you must apply for a visa to visit Poland. Even if you can visit Poland without a visa for short trips, you will need a visa for work or study if you are not an EU citizen.Poland offers different types of visas based on your reason for visiting. The Poland Schengen Visa is suitable for stays of less than 90 days and is ideal for tourism, business, or medical treatment. This visa also allows travel to other Schengen countries within its validity period. The Poland Airport Transit Visa is for travelers who need to transit through the international area of a Polish airport en route to a third country. The Poland Work Visa is required for employment in Poland, and your employer must apply for a work permit on your behalf at the local Voivodeship office. The Poland Student Visa is necessary for non-EU students accepted to a Polish university, requiring both a student visa and a residence permit. The Poland Family Visa is for joining family members residing in Poland, valid for two years, and allows you to work in Poland.There are differences between the Poland Schengen Visa and the Long-Term Visa. The Poland Schengen Visa is a short-stay visa for up to 90 days, ideal for travel, and cannot be used to obtain a residence permit. On the other hand, the Poland D-Type Long-Term Visa is suitable for studying or working in Poland, allows for stays of up to one year (extendable), and enables you to obtain a residence permit for an extended stay.The application process for a Polish visa involves several steps: contacting the nearest Polish embassy or consulate to set up an appointment, preparing the required documents, submitting the visa application, and attending a visa interview if necessary. Required documents typically include a completed visa application form, passport-sized photos, a copy of your passport, proof of travel health insurance, a cover letter detailing your trip purpose and plans, proof of accommodation, sufficient funds for your stay, proof of relationship status, proof of flight reservation, and a paid visa fee receipt. Additional documents may be required if you are employed or a student.Visa processing takes 10 to 14 days, but in some cases, it may take up to 45 days. If your application is rejected, you can appeal within eight weeks. The rejection letter will provide appeal instructions and mention any applicable appeal fees.A short-stay visa allows you to stay in Poland for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. For longer stays, apply for a D-type long-stay visa and a residence permit after entering Poland. Long-stay visas can be extended if you continue to meet visa conditions, but extending a short-stay visa is difficult and only allowed in exceptional cases such as conflict in your home country, medical reasons, or force majeure.