News / Poland- Visa Waiver Program [55]

You're right - Poland population: 38 million; S. Korea population: 49 million.

News / Poland- Visa Waiver Program [55]

I have been told that a primary reason is the relatively large population of Poland - much larger than the other European countries listed. This apparently is a threat to American workers (I don't necessarily believe this, but it is what I have heard). I came here from Chicago which has a HUGE population of Poles, but I was aware of only a relative handful of Czechs AND Lithuanians living there - not concrete evidence, mind you, but simply a real-life observation.

As an American, I am embarrassed by this apparent oversight. If America can ask Poland for permission to build a defense shield here, why can't we reciprocate a bit and allow Poles to freely travel to the States???

Life / HATPINS & KEY-RINGS V MUGGERS? [12]

Where can someone find pepper spray in Kraków?

Law / Business plan needed for residency requirements - suggestions? [6]

Thread attached on merging:
Business in Poland - do I need income from three sources?

I was recently told that the business I plan to create in Poland will require at least three sources of income to stay legal. Since I am creating this business solely to remain in the country and teach at a language school, I understand this regulation as needing at least three language schools to hire me part-time - is this true? If so, can anyone help me understand ways to get around this if I only have one job offer?

Also - one of my residency requirements is to show a business plan, but I am unable to find any suitable templates online. Can anyone point me in the right direction? The plans online seem to be for large businesses with employees, overhead, etc. - I am but a simple teacher trying to eek out a living by providing a service. I hope there is a simple plan after which I can model mine.

Thanks for any and all constructive comments...

Law / Business plan needed for residency requirements - suggestions? [6]

I did search Google before posting this thread - all I found were plans for larger businesses which require employees, advertising cost projections, future earnings reports, etc. However, I was not able to find a basic plan for an individual who will be teaching at a language school and nothing else - that is what I seek.

Law / Internet Banking in Poland [9]

Before posting, I did such a search to no avail. In fact, a second search of the keywords "internet bank" now brings up one thread - this one!

Life / Holiday's in Poland! Not allowed thanksgiving off. [30]


Unfortunately, there seemed to be when you complained that you were not granted the day off. My understanding is that native speakers, whether they be Yanks or Brits, have a reputation for being a bit chesty here - this is how I (and apparently many others) viewed your initial post - sorry.

Because of this reputation, I try to conform as best as possible to Polish traditions and customs while I enjoy their wonderful hospitality - after all, I am a guest here. I enjoy my free days during Polish holidays and count my blessings that the most important American holiday (Christmas) is shared by both cultures.

Travel / Food & drink availability in Krakow [5]

Neither Tesco nor Carrefour seem to carry it in Krakow - they do carry Schweppes products, but no ginger ale.

To be honest, I have only visited the stores closest to my flat - I'll check the others in town. Thanks for the heads up!

Travel / My 3 weeks in Poland.... I didn't want to leave. [33]

AP - Poland did the same thing for me in 2003. I couldn't believe how refreshing the society was, especially when compared to the general neurosis common to my home country (USA).

A couple of years later, I had my first experience dating a Polish woman - she absolutely knocked me off my feet! Our relationship lasted only a few months, but after experiencing life with Karolina, I eventually found I could no longer be happy dating American women. Yes, the inherent beauty of Poles was a factor; however, I found the occasionally-brutal honesty to be their best quality by far. Also, they seemed to view sex as natural and beautiful, not a bloody quest for the holy grail (as it seems in MY country!!!).

As many others have stated in this thread, dating a Polish woman is not without its complications. But with Karolina, I found MY reactions to relationship issues to be the biggest obstacles. Since then, I have grown more and more comfortable with the differences each time I have dated a Pole. Finally, I met the right woman here in Krakow - we have been together for almost 9 months now and are very happy together. I am so much more relaxed today than I was in 2005 - however, my American "indoctrination" does rear its ugly head from time to time. Fortunately, my partner understands this and is quite patient with me.

You seem to be bitten by the same bug I was in 2003! Forget the negative comments - sure, there likely will be tough times ahead if you pursue this dream, but not all Polish women are cold-hearted and vindictive as inferred in this thread. I found one who is warm, patient, NOT interested in my money, and NOT the least bit jealous. I am living my dream here - I am sure you can as well.

Life / Pay as you go SIM - best option ? [19]

I have Orange as well - I pay 50 zł and get 3 months of calling activity. But it also allows me an entire YEAR of receiving calls, so no lockout for 12 months (even if I have zero balance).

A great feature: my girlfriend has a contract with Orange and can select three favorite numbers to call for no charge. One of the three can even be an Orange SIM subscriber, so she registered my mobile number and now calls and texts me for free!

Life / The people of Poland are wonderful!!! [26]

Of course not - my "great" comment was about the generous people waiting in line who invited me to bypass the line...and the wonderful bus driver who was honest.

How could you possibly interpret my comments as anything but positive? After rereading my initial post, I feel my intent was quite clear...

Life / 90 days soon expire - where can I go? [33]

Yes - I applied for residency before my 90 days expired.

As I understand Schengen law, it is likely that you will not be able to return to Poland for 90 days after you leave. I am nowhere near an expert on the subject, however. Powodzenia!

Life / Passport stamped when leaving Shengen territory? [12]

My travel costs to L'viv totaled about 100 PLN - add hotel and food and I came in just under 200 PLN for the whole trip.

Having said that, I would have gone to the UK if I had it to do over again - despite the low cost, L'viv was difficult for me to negotiate. The language barrier was huge - there was precious little English to be seen (surprisingly even at the train station).

Life / The people of Poland are wonderful!!! [26]

You're preaching to to choir - I am living in Poland in large part because of my frustrations with life in America. I am fairly certain that the things I experienced at the Polish border would never occur at an American border crossing...

Life / Passport stamped when leaving Shengen territory? [12]

Romania and Bulgaria are in the process of implementing Schengen, so they should suffice for your needs. The UK would also work (even though they are part of the EU, they are not a part of Schengen).

Life / 90 days soon expire - where can I go? [33]

No - they did NOT give me a letter. They simply asked me to sign a piece of paper stating I would leave Schengen for one day.

They did give me a piece of paper that says "Potwierdzenie Złożenia Wnioaku" at the top. I think it means "confirmation of delivery of papers" in this context. I did carry this with me during my trip, but they never asked for it.

Life / The people of Poland are wonderful!!! [26]

The Ukrainian guards were quite intimidating - on my way to L'viv, a large Ukrainian man actually threw my passport in disgust when I couldn't understand his questions. Then upon my return to Poland, a female guard pointed to my bag and asked me a question - not understanding her, I replied "no" thinking she was asking if I had anything to declare. Then she sternly said "OPEN THE BAG" (in perfect, blood-curdling English that made my skin crawl).

Perhaps intimidating isn't a strong enough word - I actually had flashbacks to the old movie "Midnight Express" during both encounters!!! Memories of my American cold-war indoctrination are alive and well...

Life / The people of Poland are wonderful!!! [26]

Nope - just dark brown eyes and a very poor command of the Polish language...

Life / 90 days soon expire - where can I go? [33]

I just returned from Lviv - no problems whatsoever getting back into Poland. I took all my relevant papers but they were not necessary - it was a breeze crossing the border.

Now - let's see what happens with my residency request...

Life / 90 days soon expire - where can I go? [33]

But I will still have a few days left on my 90 days when I return - is this really necessary?

Life / 90 days soon expire - where can I go? [33]

I just returned from registration - I was told that leaving Schengen one day and returning the next would satisfy my residency requirements. In fact, they asked me to sign a document stating I would do this - I am to come back to the same office with a copy of the new marks on my passport after my return to Poland.

I will visit L'wow before my 90 days is up, so returning should not be an issue whatsoever. It seems everything worked out fine - let's hope so!

Life / 90 days soon expire - where can I go? [33]

I read a report recently that Poland needs 8000-9000 new English teachers this year - why would they want to oust a native speaker with a Masters degree, CELTA certification, and aspirations to teach English here?

When I contacted them, the first question they asked is how I plan to make a living - so they were aware of my plans before they provided any answers.

Life / 90 days soon expire - where can I go? [33]

My girlfriend has been doing most of the leg work since she speaks the language, but I have a document with the Krakow address and phone number which we have contacted. Here is what is printed in the letterhead:

Małopolski Urząd Wojewódzki w Krakowie
Wydzial Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców

I hope this helps - if I understood the language better, I could assist you better, but this should be of some help...