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Getting a VISA to USA by a Polish person nowadays


Seanus  15 | 19666  
6 Feb 2009 /  #31
Obama will no doubt have a look at it in due course. In the meantime, your partner looks as if she is doing OK for herself.
Guest  
9 Feb 2009 /  #32
YES SHE IS AND HAS WORKED BLOODY HARD TO GET TO THIS POSITION AND EARNED EVERY PENNY UNLIKE OTHERS WHO SPONGE OFF THE STATE
USA450R  1 | 3  
15 Feb 2009 /  #33
Thread attached on merging:
Help Please

What is needed to legally bring a polish citizen to USA for vacation? Visa? Letter from me? How long can they stay? How much is the visa?

Thanks,

MJ
Krakowianka  1 | 243  
16 Feb 2009 /  #34
Poles get turned away for a visa if they are too young, no education, and have no strong ties to their homeland. Being in the UK with your earnings, only shows that you have a predesposition to emigrate to other lands.

What is needed to legally bring a polish citizen to USA for vacation? Visa? Letter from me? How long can they stay? How much is the visa?

They need to make an appt with the consul in Krakow or Warsaw (depending on their registered address in PL), no "invitation letter" is necessary, they can stay depending on the length of the visa. Some get a one time entry visa (usually stamped at entry for 6 months), some get a 10yr visa, which allows multiple entries. Costs PLN equivalent of $100 to have appt with consul (regardless if you get visa or not), plus about 60pln to call the hotline to schedule consul interview.
OP atlantic  17 | 64  
24 Feb 2009 /  #35
I have heard that it is easier to get a visa in Warsaw then Krakow, is this true? Can one choose which to go to?
Krakowianka  1 | 243  
28 Feb 2009 /  #36
No you can not choose which one to go to, its based on your registered address in Poland.

I'd think Krakow is easier to get a visa from, since the region under Krakow consul's authority is smaller, and most Gorale (highlanders) and people from the Krakow/Tarnow area are in the US in very large numbers.
Guest  
10 Mar 2009 /  #37
I have lived and worked in UK for over 8 years, have a stable job but no strong ties to this place. I mean-I haven't got a house, all my family lives in Poland and I have become single lately. I will receive some money after my dad's death soon and wanted to treat myself to a holiday in California. I also made a friend online who lives there and is happy to help in any way possible. I realize my situation doesn't sound perfect but is there anything you recommend I should do to increase my chances of getting a visa? Would a letter from him help at all? Can he apply for a visa for me from US?? Please help!!!!
Jethro  - | 28  
10 Mar 2009 /  #38
Yeah sure.. buriedplanet.com/2009/03/09/master-diplomat-obama-snubs-oldest-al ly/
Randal  1 | 577  
10 Mar 2009 /  #39
COMMON BARACK OBAMA YOU KNOW WHAT DESCRIMINATION IS ALL ABOUT

Why, because he is black? No. Obama has lived a charmed life. If anything his race has benefited him.
EmmaL7707  
11 Mar 2009 /  #40
The refusal rate for Poland has seriously dropped. I'm American and my husband is Polish. All of his Polish friends and family that applied for visas to come and visit us here got then (they weren't rich or anything like that). However, when you are applying for a visa in a country that you are not a citizen of you are more likely to get rejected. There are many reasons for that!
AtlantaRichard  - | 1  
3 Apr 2009 /  #41
I have so many questions about getting a tourist visa for my fiancee. I am hoping i could get some insight.

Details:

Single Mother of 2
Age 38
owns her own flat
owns her own car
Children are good students
All of her family is in Poland
Has money in the bank
Lived at the same address 5 years
Has traveled outside of Poland (with and without me)
No job, a stay at home Mom.

She was denied a tourist visa last September. She was really not allowed to speak at her interview. She was simply told, NO JOB, no visa. She was not allowed to present the evidence that she brought (e.g. deed to her flat, childrens' birth certificates etc)

I am returning to Poland April 10 through 18 and will go with her to Warsaw to try again.

On the Warsaw website, there is a page that says that I can write a letter... but I do not have to come to the Embassy. But no place can I find if I can go with her for her interview, so that is my 1st question... can I?

I will have her bring all the evidence again. I have my Congressman writing a letter to the Embassy requesting that the Embassy give her every consideration under the law. Which is the best my Congressman can do, since the Embassy and the CO that does the interview are basically GODS when it comes to their decision.

I have filed for a K1 Visa so I will bring a copy of that file as evidence that we are going about this move to the US in a legal manner. She will disclose that her Fiancee live in and is a US citizen on her DS-156.

I have advised her to be a little more forceful in her interview to try to get the CO to look at evidence and maybe even ask to see a supervisor if necessary.

Have I missed anything? Any advice on how to be more successful? Any insights?

As an aside... just a little rant on my part... It really frosts my bottom to know that these decisions do not seem to be based on fact... much more subjective (in my opinion) than they should be.

Thanks in advance people :)

Richard
frustrated  
10 May 2009 /  #42
I, too, am frustrated with this process.

I met my husband in 1998 when i was an exchange student in Poland. We were both university students at the time.

The summer after my return to the states, he applied for a touristic visa to visit for a few weeks. We (my parents and I) provided all sorts of 'sponsorship' supporting materials. Application Denied.

I travelled to Poland instead, and over every available holiday for 2 years. We were engaged and applied for a K1 visa in 2000. I was present at the K1 visa interview in Warsaw, and luckily, that was approved.

His sister attended our wedding because she was teaching (legally) at a university in the US at the time, however, his mother was not able to attend.

We moved around quite a bit for the past few years, my husband earned a masters degree in engineering and we're finally in a place, financially, that we can bring his mother over for a visit.

She is retired, and like many retirees, is not rolling in 'dough'. But she owns her own home, has a little money in the bank, and her entire family (including only grandchild - whom she helps to care for) is in Poland. She's deeply routed to her home and culture in Poland and wouldn't even consider moving out of her own flat, let alone to another country.

She was denied a touristic visa based on 4 questions. The consulate officer did not even look at her supporting documentation or allow her to elaborate on any answers.

My husband and I have always handled his immigration status by the book. His sister, also, has abided by her visa regulations. If we wanted to bring her over to stay, then we wouldn't be applying for a touristic visa, we would instead follow the appropriate channel. I only wish that the consulate officers would take more consideration in these matters. The $131 application fee should grant more than a 5 minute 'conversation'.

I understand the necessary precaution in immigration matters, but there is something seriously wrong with a system when decent, law-abiding people are penalized and not allowed to see their own families as a result. Yes, we can continue to travel to Poland to see his family. But we wanted to bring his mother here, so that she could see how our we live, and hopefully to visit her grandchildren someday.

We have elicited the help of our congressman, but I doubt that will be fruitful.

We'll just keep trying and hopefully, this story will have a happy ending.
lavilla1970  3 | 19  
23 Jun 2009 /  #43
That's absurd - the notion that Poles are more inclined to subject themselves to unskilled manual labor than Chechs,Slovaks,Latvians,or for that matter South Koreans is offensive - Poland was the only other country to support Bushs' war with their own troops,(apart from the UK) and this is how their loyalty is repaid - it's a scandal
Torq  
23 Jun 2009 /  #44
and this is how their loyalty is repaid - it's a scandal

Well said.

Why don't we give the Americans the taste of their own medicine and introduce
visas for them too? There should be a balance in international realtions; citizens
of every country which require visas from Poles should be required to get visas
to come to Poland too.
bull  1 | 5  
13 Jul 2009 /  #45
is it still hard?! ive seen a lot of polish ppl in newyork lately
Raficoo  3 | 34  
13 Jul 2009 /  #46
did we miss something? o.O

seems like the Visa requirement rate has been decreased to only 3% now!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

>> "For these reasons, it seemed that the visa refusal rate would soon naturally fall below the required 10% percent and further negotiations between Polish and U.S. officials would not even be necessary.

However, starting July 1, the required rate will be reduced to 3%, making it much harder for Poland to reach the goal.

"This change is a consequence of a bizarre compromise reached by supporters and opponents of the expansion of the VWP in Congress as part of the 'Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007,'" explains Pawel Kotowski, a counselor at the Polish Embassy in Washington, DC.

"The required rate can now only be increased back to 10% if the U.S. manages to install biometric air exit systems which will register all the passengers leaving the U.S.by air, a system now only used upon arrival to the U.S. These two things seem to be entirely independent, but that's how the Congress wrote the law," Kotowski said. " <<

---------------------------------------------------------------------- --------

well.. they said the refusal rate in 2007 was 25%, then it Sharply dropped to 13.8% in 2008(look at the site)... so theres a good chance it might be = / >10% this year BUT... i guess we might have to wait longer if they don't make an agreement to install "biometric air exit systems"

again.. this is a bad time for Poland i guess :/ so close to 10% then they lower it to 3%

and here's a nice quote, same ol saying :/

"Some, like Senator Barbara Mikulski (D.-Md.), proposed various pieces of legislation to include Poland in the VWP for its merits and its loyalty to America. But the VWP has many opponents who fear its expansion will make it easier for potential terrorists to enter the U.S."
graba  
28 Aug 2009 /  #47
Don't you think guys that once you tell them you have some friends or family in the US they will think you have the reason to stay there? I only want to book some 7-night holiday with Trek America just to have a trip of my life, I have plenty of family members living there but not planning to visit or even mentioning them.

I've lived in the UK for 6 years, having a management position and a future police career but don't really think they would believe any of these anyway. It doesn't matter, all you have to do is to prove you want to get out of there as soon as you're done (finished your holiday) and don't really care about US or whatsoever.
Amanda91  1 | 135  
28 Aug 2009 /  #48
if u have money in the bank

I just wonder how much money a Polish person has to have in the bank to get a visa?
pgtx  29 | 3094  
28 Aug 2009 /  #49
a person has to make more money then people in the consulate or embassy... never lower... it always works...
Amanda91  1 | 135  
28 Aug 2009 /  #50
pgtx

a person has to make more money then people in the consulate or embassy

are you serious about that? :-)
pgtx  29 | 3094  
28 Aug 2009 /  #51
are you serious about that? :-)

no... but it might be... ;)
Ironside  50 | 12314  
28 Aug 2009 /  #52
Who needs visa?
Go to Canada and pass the border to USA - up those governmental asses
scrappleton  - | 829  
29 Aug 2009 /  #53
Go to Canada and pass the border to USA

Yes, that will work as well. We have to use the same thought process if we want to go to Havana.
pgtx  29 | 3094  
29 Aug 2009 /  #54
Go to Canada and pass the border to USA

Canadian bacon isn't as valuable as Texas steak...
ShawnH  8 | 1488  
29 Aug 2009 /  #55
I love Alberta Beef!

I love Alberta Beef
Lion  
21 Nov 2009 /  #56
To Gtd:

You said that there is many of illegal Polish emigrants in States and we should blame these people for strict rules regarding visa procedures. I dont blame them, I blame american low. What legislation you have to keep so many illegal imigrants, you dont know how to control it? What do you do about it? I dont think that not letting desent people to your country for holiday is the key.
Cardno85  31 | 971  
21 Nov 2009 /  #57
Go to Canada and pass the border to USA - up those governmental asses

Is it really that easy? Do they not have border checks when you travel from Canada to the US?

Yes, that will work as well. We have to use the same thought process if we want to go to Havana.

Are you guys still not allowed to go on holiday in Cuba? That sucks.
ShawnH  8 | 1488  
21 Nov 2009 /  #58
Is it really that easy? Do they not have border checks when you travel from Canada to the US?

Far from it. Border security is tighter than ever. New documentation regulations were recently passed, even for those of us who look American.

Are you guys still not allowed to go on holiday in Cuba? That sucks.

Not for us Canadians. ;-)
Ironside  50 | 12314  
22 Nov 2009 /  #59
s it really that easy? Do they not have border checks when you travel from Canada to the US?

It easy enough if you forget about main roads.

I don't advice it thought, as you can get in real trouble if caught.
ShawnH  8 | 1488  
22 Nov 2009 /  #60
It easy enough if you forget about main roads.

They employ drones to monitor these areas.
cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/02/16/drones-border.html

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