How difficult is it to get a visa in Poland for an US citizen?

Greetings,
I'm a US citizen who has traveled to Poland two times. One week in February 2016 and one week in March 2016. During my travel last month, I recently got a new Polish girlfriend and I plan to travel back to Poland for one week in December, and two weeks in May 2017.

Now, I'm writing this because I have recently heard news that EU will require US citizens a visa to visit to Poland:
nytimes.com/2016/04/08/world/europe/european-union-to-consider-requiring-visas-for-us-travelers.html

If the visa passes, I'm changing the schedule of my trip for three weeks in May 2017.
Anyways, how difficult would it be to get a visa? I have friends from Asian countries who say that they have to have letters of invitation in order to go to Poland. They even said that there were times that they had to talk to an immigration lawyer to stay longer.

What would be the questions for a visa in Poland?
Would I need my girlfriend to write me a letter of invitation?
Any advices?

"any adviceS"!!! You are not a "real" American, are you? ;)

Technically, I was born abroad but I'm actually a naturalized citizen

This from the woman who jumps on everyone for ignorance and racism while basically saying to the OP 'you're not white, are you?" So what iif he isn't. If the man is a US citizen then he's American, that's a fact. Doesn't matter what race or colour he is, where he was born or where his parents were born. He's a US citizen, so for the purposes of foreign travel, he's American.


Impossible to guess. It's ostensibly because the US hasn't yet honoured its promise to give visa free travel to a few accession states but to be honest it's probably security related and designed to stop terrorists coming into Europe on 'holidays', so the conditions could be quite stringent. But if you're an honest, regular US citizen you wouldn't have to worry. Sometimes in life you just have to grit your teeth and deal with bureaucracy.


Well yes, obviously you're not allowed to outstay your visa. If you want to go for longer than a standard holiday visa you would need a working visa which is another matter entirely.

I really doubt that US citizens will have to have visas for short term visits. This is bargaining rhetoric stemming from disagreements about a trade deal. The EU has absolutely no economic or security interests in making it difficult for Americans to make short term visits to Europe.

Don't worry about this until some kind of law is in place.

For short visits you can go anytime from usa. Several weeks is a short time.

No need to worry about visas for US citizens. It would not be in interest of European Union to actually implement it. But you may see sooner or later implementation of ESTA like system known as ETIAS in Schengen Zone. The expected fee will be €5.

I never hear anything about it. However, they sure do complain a lot about visas on this forum thats for sure.


They would really shoot themselves in the foot if they did that, but let them go ahead with it!

Europe is dangerous, expensive, boring and the US State Dept, has current warnings. You could do much better with less $$$$ traveling somewhere else:)

@rjstravel
As American citizen, you simply do NOT need a visa to come to Poland!!! It automatically gives you 90-day stay in Poland upon landing. Pay no attention to the failing New York Times report... When you enter Poland, the Polish border guard will tell you clearly you have 90 days to stay in Poland with your American passport. Of course, while you are in Poland, if situation changes, you may be offered a job, or you may start a business, you can apply for Temporary Residence Permit to stay legally.

Not so sure about that, the case (used to be at least) the first residence permit could not be applied for while in Poland.

@mafketis
Sure you can! You can have a company formed in Poland and apply for the TRP under employment.