Polish Embassy for South Africa - Address / Phone Number

Polish Embassy in South Africa

Address: 14 Amos Street, Colbyn 0083
City: Pretoria (Standard time zone: UTC/GMT +2 hours)
Tel.: 012 430 2631/2
Fax: 012 430 2608
Emergency Tel.: (+27) 12 430 2621
Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8.15 - 16.15
Consular hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 - 12.00

The Polish Embassy's Consular Section serves Polish citizens and foreigners residing permanently in Poland with matters involving polish authorities, such as passports, notary services and certain specific legal transactions, family law, citizenship and military service. The Consular Section assists Polish citizens in distress, gives information on the services provided by Polish authorities and the legal protection available to private citizens, and advises on general procedures related to legal or administrative matters in Poland and South Africa. The Polish Embassy also arranges for absentee voting in Polish elections. Foreign citizens can consult the Embassy's Consular Section on matters related to visas and entry permits.

Citizens of states of the consular zone of the Embassy of Poland (Republic of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi) require a visa to enter the Schengen territory.

IMPORTANT: When travelling to several Schengen countries, the visa is applied at the Consulate or Embassy of the main destination of the journey. If the visit has no main destination, the application should be submitted at the Consulate or Embassy of the first point of entry to the Schengen Zone. The visa of the final country of destination (if needed) must be obtained before applying for a Schengen visa.

Visa application will be rejected if not registered through e-konsulat and not accompanied by the required documents.

Please note that there are two categories of visas (depending on length and purpose of stay):

• Schengen Visa (tourist / business short term stay - up to 90 days)
• National Visa (family visit / study long term stay visa - more than 90 days)

Both categories of visas allow the passport holder to travel within all the countries of the Schengen zone.

• Processing time: 10 working days. It is recommended to apply for a visa at least 3 weeks before the departure date.
• The application cannot be lodged earlier than 3 months before the start of intended visit.
• There is no guarantee the visa will be issued.
• The possession of a visa is only one of the prerequisites for entry into the Schengen territory. Failing to comply with the relevant provisions of Schengen Borders Code could result in refusal of entry.
• Additional documents (school letter, certificate of employment etc.) or personal interview may be requested at any time.

Theft or loss of a valid passport must be reported to the police and a police report should be presented when applying for a new passport. Otherwise a passport is applied as normally. When reporting a lost passport to the police it should be noted that a report made by telephone and a registration number given  on the basis of that might not be adequate proof to the insurance company. The report can be made in person at a police station so that a report of the crime is available in writing.