The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Regulation on the countries in which foreigners may apply for a visa issued by the minister responsible for foreign affairs, published on 31 May 2021, came into force on 15 June 2021.

Pursuant to the aforementioned Regulation the only foreigners who may apply for a Polish visa issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs so far are the citizens of Belarus.

Under the new procedure, however, the consul will continue to be responsible for the technical processing of the applications. The consult will accept the application and, after the minister pronounces his decision, will affix the visa stamp. As a rule, visa applications should be submitted through the consul with jurisdiction over the foreigner's place of residence.

The adopted solution is to facilitate the process of applying for Polish visas for Belarusians.
In addition to the new solution, Belarusians can still use the existing procedure, i.e. applying for a visa through the consul.

The list of countries whose citizens will be eligible to obtain a visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs may be expanded in the future.

Find more in the PRO HR July 2021.