Poland Business Harbour Visa
Despite the fact that Poland is the sixth largest economy in the Eurozone and is also famous for Robert Lewandowski, in Poland, a unique program called “Poland. Business Harbor” has been created for relocation and adaptation in this country, provided that certain conditions are met.
What is the Poland Business Harbour Program
“Poland. Business Harbour” or PBH visa is a government program that has been in effect since 2020. Initially, it applied only to citizens of Belarus. But, starting in July 2021, this program became available to specialists and businesses from Ukraine, Georgia, Russia, Moldova and Armenia. This program is intended for highly qualified employees from the IT sector and various startups, small, medium and large enterprises. The uniqueness of this program is that it allows you to seamlessly transfer a company to the territory of the Republic of Poland.
It should also be noted that this program also includes support for employees and their families during relocation to Poland. This support helps to adapt extremely quickly and easily to Polish schools and learn the Polish language.
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Benefits of Poland Business Harbor Visa
As with any other process, the Poland business harbour visa has its advantages and disadvantages. There are many more of the latter. So,
- obtaining the above-mentioned visa is the biggest advantage that comes with the opportunity to apply for a visa called Business Harbor. This visa is subject to a special expedited procedure. Within a few weeks, a foreign applicant will be able to legally work in Poland or start a business. At the same time, a foreigner can conduct business under the same conditions as residents of Poland;
- there is no obligation to obtain a work permit during the validity period of the visa. This means that you don’t need to waste time filling out forms, paying fees, etc.;
- the ability to freely change working and employment conditions;
- the possibility of issuing visas also to members of the foreigner’s immediate relatives;
- The Program provides for funding and financial assistance for start-ups and additional services for larger companies.
- the possibility of free movement to other countries of the Schengen area.
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How can Fintech Harbor help you?
Considering the fact that one of the offices of FINTECH HARBOR CONSULTING is located in the capital of the Republic of Poland, Warsaw, the company has a high-level understanding of the peculiarities of doing business, obtaining a residence permit and, of course, how to obtain a Poland business harbour visa.
We are ready to provide you with full legal support in obtaining a Poland business visa, namely:
- we will conduct full due diligence of your documents or documents of the company that plans to use this program to move to Poland;
- consulting on issues related to the process of transferring a company or creating a branch;
- lawyers from FINTECH HARBOR CONSULTING will analyse the documents of your family members if you have plans to transfer them to the Republic of Poland;
- FINTECH HARBOR CONSULTING specialists will provide support during communication with the local (Polish) administration;
- We will review and fill out visa forms for submission to the consulate or visa centre.
During the entire process of processing documents for your relocation to the Republic of Poland under the Poland Business Harbour visa program, we will provide you with advice and stay in touch with you.
Poland Business Harbour Visa Requirements
Since the PBH visa applies to representatives of three groups in the IT industry, the requirements for obtaining this visa are different for each group, namely:
- IT specialist:
If a foreigner applies for a visa marked “PBH”, in this case the applicant must present:
- completed and signed the application for a national visa with a photo;
- a valid passport issued within the last 10 years and having at least two blank pages. At the same time, the validity of the passport must expire no earlier than 3 months after the expiration of the visa;
- an invitation from one of the partner companies (list on the website https://www.gov.pl/web/poland-businessharbour), which has expressed interest in employing a foreigner, and one of two documents (to choose from)):
- a) a document confirming technical education (ICT) or
- b) a document confirming a minimum of one year of experience in the ICT field.
- Startup
For the second group of applicants applying for a visa marked “PBH” on the recommendation of the Polish Enterprise Development Agency, the applicant must provide:
- a) completed and signed application for a national visa with photo;
- b) information on qualifications for participation in the Polish Prize program;
- c) a valid passport issued within the last 10 years and with at least two blank pages. At the same time, the validity of the passport must expire no earlier than 3 months after the expiration of the visa;
- d) travel medical insurance, valid for the entire duration of the visa. An exception to this condition may be a situation where a foreigner has insurance in Poland that entitles him to medical benefits financed by public funds.
If you are applying for a visa jointly with your family (spouse, dependent children), the following documents must also be provided for minors:
- a) application for a national visa signed by the parents (legal guardians of the child) or one of the parents, unless that parent has the right to parental responsibility. If only one of the child’s parents/legal guardians is applying for a visa citing PBH, the other parent’s written, notarized consent to the visa application must be provided. If there is only one legal guardian, this fact must then be confirmed by presentation of a birth certificate, a court order granting sole parental rights, or the death certificate of the other parent;
- b) parents’ passports – original (for verification) and a copy,
- c) child’s birth certificate – original (available for review) and a copy.
- Small/medium/large business
As part of the simplification of the visa procedure for this category of foreigners applying for a visa with the “PBH” mark, the applicant must provide:
- completed and signed application for a national visa with photo;
- PAIH eligibility information/ a document confirming your qualification to the program by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency;
- a valid passport issued within the last 10 years and with at least two blank pages. In this case, the validity of the passport must expire no earlier than 3 months after the expiration of the visa;
- travel health insurance valid for the period of validity of the visa (unless the foreigner has insurance in Poland entitling him to health benefits financed from public funds).
If you are applying for a visa jointly with your family (spouse, dependent children), you must also provide the following documents for minors:
- application for a national visa signed by the parents (legal guardians of the child) or one of the parents, unless that parent has the right to parental responsibility. If only one of the child’s parents/legal guardians is applying for a visa citing PBH, the other parent’s written, notarized consent to the visa application must be provided. If there is only one legal guardian, then this fact must be confirmed by presentation of a birth certificate, a court order granting sole parental rights, or the death certificate of the other parent;
- parents’ passports – original (for verification) and a copy,
- child’s birth certificate – original (available for review) and a copy.
Who can get a PBH visa in Poland?
This Polish program applies to representatives of three groups from the IT industry:
- IT specialist;
- Startup;
- Small, medium and large businesses.
Additionally, I would like to emphasise that family members of the above-mentioned specialists can also use the Poland business harbour visa and move to the Republic of Poland.
In order to obtain the above-mentioned special type of visa, one of the following conditions must be strictly fulfilled:
- a) have a technical education in the IT field. Education must be confirmed by a document or documented work experience in the IT field of at least one year;
- b) have a document confirming your readiness to find a job in one of the partner companies listed on the website: https://www.gov.pl/web/poland-businessharbour/specjalista-it#.
Regarding other documents that are required to obtain this Polish visa, the list of documents in this case is standard:
- completed and signed application for a national visa with photo;
- valid passport;
- insurance.
Similar standard documents will need to be prepared for family members if the non-resident applicant of the Republic of Poland plans to move with them.
The most important thing is to fulfil conditions a) and b) These conditions are the basis for obtaining a visa.
Process for obtaining the Poland Business Harbor Visa
In order to obtain a PBH visa, you need to complete a number of steps, namely:
- Contact the Polish consulate and then fill out the visa application form. If you plan to come to Poland with your whole family, this should also be immediately mentioned in a conversation with the consul;
- If a date has been set, then you can bring the documents directly to the consulate or one of the visa centres. At the same time, the applicant has the right to send documents by mail;
- In order to participate in the expedited visa procedure, two entry requirements must be met. You will need to have confirmation of interest in employment from one of the partner companies. It will also be necessary to work in the IT field for at least a year or have a technical education related to IT;
- independently or with the help of a reliable legal adviser, prepare both for yourself as an applicant and for your families (in the event of their relocation) your own sets of documents;
- after acceptance of the application (documents), the applicant will be provided with an internal visa, which will be needed to cross the border;
- after you receive your visa, you can safely say “Witaj Polsko!”
FAQ
How to get a business visa in Poland?
According to the program proposals, the PBH visa is aimed at three categories of the modern technology industry/IT businesses:
- individual IT specialists;
- startups;
- already operating companies (small, medium and large enterprises).
Which countries are included in Poland's business Harbor?
Only foreigners from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine have the right to participate in the program and receive a Poland business harbour visa. However, it should be noted that the new rules apply to all foreigners who are considering moving to the Republic of Poland and working for enterprises of strategic importance for the Polish economy.
How long does IT take to get a business Harbour visa in Poland?
The waiting time for obtaining a Poland business harbour visa depends on many factors, in particular, but not exclusively: on the applicant’s country, the number of applications for obtaining a Poland business visa and the load on the Consular Office. As practice shows, a Poland business harbour visa can be obtained from 2 to 6 weeks after the non-resident has filled out all the necessary papers and applied to the consulate/visa centre.
Can I bring my family members with me under the Poland Business Harbour Visa?
Of course. Participation in the Poland business harbour visa program allows you to obtain visas for family members of an IT/New Tech specialist.
Can I start any type of business with the Poland Business Harbour Visa?
Yes, sure. Beneficiaries of government programs indicated on the official websites of the authority’s CPRM website (including the Poland business harbour visa program) can carry out business activities in the Republic of Poland on equal terms with Polish citizens.
It is possible to register an individual entrepreneur through the CEIDG system or in person at the city/community administration.
What are the investment requirements for the Poland Business Harbour Visa?
No investment requirements are due in the standard track.
Are there any limitations on the industries or sectors for business activities?
Poland Business Harbour Visa is a program that is intended for highly qualified employees from the IT sector and various startups, both small and large businesses, small, medium and large enterprises.
