For all Americans worried about Schengen in Poland, dont worry about it.

More like some in government are good stooges

But in general, yes we are good allies

It's an excellent idea, and that is why it will last.


No it is not.


Not any more. That trick used to work but doesn't these days, just like visa runs don't work anymore.

I always had the impression that there were (maybe still the case) more brits than yanks in Poland. I do remember hearing more negative things in the media about brits than yanks though.

How many Americans live in Poland?

you can bet on it

If Zalewski has his way, soon even less.

There are around 10 million Americans of Polish descent. Chicago bills itself as the largest Polish city outside the Polish capital of Warsaw,

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polish_diaspora#United_States

39.000 Americans in Poland

aca.ch/amabroad.pdf

So, point is they are Americans of Polish descent not Polish, visa is in order, don’t you think?

there is no point for visas for Americans... they don't travel to Europe often, some do not even leave their State... places they go is Caribbean or Mexico (Cancun)... :)

agree.

In their wildest dreams perhaps, you’ll be surprised, I heard that Wisconsin Dells is the choice destination for those that live in Chicago area, with a well deserved name as honeymoon capital of Midwest, further up north it's the Mall of America ans so on for each region.

well, i know people who have never left Texas... never...

if you're talking tourism, yes, more Americans go to the Caribbean, but they go on millions of business trips every year across the Atlantic, there's a ton of money to be made for everyone this way, and whenever there's loads of money involved, restrictions melt away...

funny thing, we've never been to Mexico, even though it's so close, we have been to Europe multiple times.

I don't mean to insult Poland (really not) but here you probably underestimated Texas, it's most likely even more than just 10 times richer.

guesswho wrote:


I'm not quite sure what you're getting at with this number but I'd like to point something out that I think is worth mentioning:

"American Citizens Living in Poland" means that 39,000 people live in Poland that also have an American passport. I'd be curious as to how many of that 39,000 are simply Polish Americans with dual citizenship and are living in Poland at the moment for reasons X, Y and Z.

Without question, if you eliminate said population from the 39,000, you are left with a very very small number.

I only replied to SHT and what I basically meant was that comparing to Poles in the US, there are not really many Americans in Poland and that's why there's no need for any restrictions for Americans. Further, I believe that it's highly unlikely that millions of us will be going to Poland to stay there forever (no insult intended). Also, not many Americans are overstaying their visas there too.


very good point. I strongly assume that about 38000 (if not more) of them are Polish-Americans.

yeah, lol, my aunt is still there and she is overstaying her visa btw. Can someone "ask" her to get a life and come back, because my cousin is ******** to me that she takes all the money out of her account and didn't pay her taxes last year... WTF

guesswho wrote:


absolutely. Americans living in Poland with no connection to Poland otherwise, i.e. no family ties or dual citizenship, do not speak Polish.....easily under 1,000.

Good let’s keep it that way, shall we.


But there is, it’s called policy of reciprocity, quite a few countries have imposed it on US, i.e. China charges $140 for a US citizen to get a tourist or transit visa to the PRC, so does Brazil although I’m not sure of the fee. Btw; Brazil does not enforce visa’s for more than 60 countries including EU, that's doubled the number for US, so if you want to inconvenience others you should also be prepared to be inconvenienced in the process. I for one particularly favor the Chilean reciprocity, not only do they charge US and other visitors exactly what their countries charge, after all fair is fair but they do it at a special little counter to one side before their passport control, which for some mysterious reason is curiously understaffed, the result of which is a nice long line, from which these so called privileged souls can watch everyone else waltz right by.

Because visa process is a reciprocal policy then if country A asks for a visa for visitors to it or even those in transit through it from country B then country B will similarly ask for visas for visitors to country B from country A. As you can see your irrational pathetic excuse for Poland not doing so because there is not enough Americans in Poland does not apply and Poland has every right to do it if that’s our wish. Our politicians will soon stop kissing US a** as the outcry from those who are affected by this baseless discriminator policy of US government. You yourself had given figures here so do the math, how many of that 10 million have actually a close family there and a potential of dissatisfaction with the status quo? Dissatisfaction translates into domestic votes something every politician cares about be it Polish or American and the patience is running thin for those who have a relative there, empty promises won’t do the trick anymore, time to do something about it. The pressure on our politicians will only grow with time simply because a grandma can't attend her grandsons' first communion, graduation, whatever.

funny people who cares how many Americans live in Poland?

Are you trying to prove something? Possibly that there is a reason for not including Poland in the VWP? If so, don't be absurd.IF not, sorry for wrong assumptions.

yeah, I can't really imagine that we're wrong about the number.


I don't have any problem with it but none of us will be able to change anything about it.


I hope you realize that whatever will be done about it in Poland, won't change much at all for the 300 mln of non-Polish Americans because you'll be mainly penalizing Polish-Americans (I'm sure 99% of Americans visiting Poland are of Polish origin) who're going to Poland to visit their relatives. I personally see it that way, countries which show no interest to make me visit them (in making laws that don't suit my vacation plans), simply won't see me. Why would I visit a country that doesn't appreciate my business? I know, you'll say the same about yourself and I can understand it. I guess, we'll both be able to live with it. Neither you nor I, can stop anyone from coming to our countries so why even worry about it?

Speak for yourself, I intend on letting my voice be heard and rally other to do so to those who might be in the position to do something about it, a matter of principal you see not that I have a problem with Americans.


I do but that’s not the point of it all, is it?


So; they have the right to enter Poland on polish passport, no visa and no punishments, everyone else though luck.


Feeling is mutual, I’m sure.


No worries babe, just a demand for standard way to do policy something that’s long overdue.

of course you're free to do with your time what you want :-)


I can see your point as far as "a matter of principal". If I was Polish, I'd probably feel the same way as you but as it is, I hope you understand that I'm not getting too excited about it. According to our previous "discussions", I can't necessarily confirm that you don't have any problems with us but it doesn't really matter to begin with as you're entitled to have your preferences as anyone else does too.


from your (Polish in general, I guess) point of you, of course it isn't.


as I said earlier, it won't hurt too many of us. Whatever you guys will do about it, it will most likely effect your own people unless of course, they all have Polish passports too (but if they do, then what's the fuss is all about). Those few non-Polish Americans visiting Poland from time to time are not the reason for your "struggle", right?


yes, as I've already mentioned it above.

Listen GW, thats not the point.
You keep going on how US are much richer than Poland and all, fine. Now, tell me why US is extracting a fee (100$) not for visas to US, but for applications for visa? I see no problem in paying for actual visa say 500$, but for an application ? - it is ridiculous.

I think that SHT is right about reciprocity, as for Americans bringing business here, they are few of them anyway, no great loss.


I'm not sure if Poland can do it. I mean we are part of Schengen Agreement, but by right we should be able to do it and implement the same condition US impose on our citizens.

No, you rednecks want the DNA of every person on this globe in return of the "privilege" to pass your border Gestapo.
You should need visa for Poland right away.

New York area is filthy rich, to own a house in the NEw York suburbs you must have alot of money. Same house that cost let's say 300,000 here in metro Philadelphia, or 200,000 in the south, costs 600-700 thousand or more up there. And still there are so many people able to afford that and much much more.

listen iron, you missed the point this time, I was talking about "our" (SHT's and mine) little problems in the past.

It’s not a question of "if" this can be done as US itself does not recognize Schengen as a single region for whom the visa is issued but rather the emphasis from their perspective is on individual countries within this region. Therefor Schengen has no jurisdiction in this matter neither with US as it cannot deal directly with US in that matter but neither is Poland bound by the Schengen Agreement since US is not part of it. It will take some brass balls to do it though so the question is "do we have the will." To me personally the Schengen argument as to whether we have the right or not is as ridicules as the number of Americans in Poland as a justification of not looking into this matter further and make some noise. Not doing so we encourage the US government to practice what is clearly a discrimination policy. This imaginary paranoia of being overrun by Poles on their part is baseless and the pathetic excuses for it to justify their bigotry of visa overstay?, well let every man be the judge of that. It may very well be a great selling point and an excuse to their dumbed down domestic audience but at least they have one and a receptive audience judging by the posts in this thread alone. What’s our excuse for not reciprocating? Our politicians don’t even have a decency to come up with one, their self-interest is self-evident and their constant ass kissing simply repulsive. Some insignificant insect pretending to be a great statesman in the form of a cowered politician ready to do anything to score some brownie points thinking it will advance his career somehow, always diligent to pucker up at any moment has not only lost my respect but that of his peers, to them he will always be a gofer, the sooner it sinks in the better, no matter what he may think of himself he’s here today but gone tomorrow, nothing to show for his effort. It’s time for a new breed of politicians that requires a drastic change and break with the old way of doing business. After 20 years of the same the opportunity presents itself, just grow some balls and take it.


What problem? You are way too sensitive for a public forum; a little tease becomes a problem? Don’t worry cute, I still remember your picture in your profile and personally I think you’re very attractive girl. The red neck American woman comment, nothing personal, I know how you look and like what I see. Are we all good now?

be honest with yourself, it went way beyond "a little tease" but I don't care about digging in the past, it's all OK now.

Btw. I don't think, you've ever seen my pics as I've never posted any on PF. Sorry, one time last Christmas but I'm sure, it's not what you're thinking about.

ShortHairThug wrote:

I'm curious as to the level of reciprocity. For example, if all an American needs to do is fill out a form and mail it in with a check for $140 to get a tourist visa to the PRC, that's obviously nothing in comparison to the assache a Pole needs to go through in order to get a USA tourist visa. I don't know what it takes to get a PRC tourist visa as an American but I'm curious about the degree of "reciprocity" here you speak of. Holla atcha boy, polacy.

Ironside wrote:


State Department employees need to do background checks on all applicants, a lot of paper gets pushed around, the visa itself needs to be created and manufactured, etc. etc. Somebody has to pay them to do the work.

Ironside wrote:


Hey Ironside, do you have an American passport?