How do I get a Pole Card? Registration, interview, questions, answers and visa for the Pole Card

Since 2008, citizens of the CIS and Baltic countries can receive a special document - the Pole's Card. What it is? What privileges does he give to the owner? It should be said that a lot of myths have developed about the latter issue. Say, the Pole's card is equivalent to a visa or a permit for permanent residence. In this article we will try to study what is true and what is a myth. We will also tell you how to get a Pole Card, what stages this long process involves and what information needs to be taken into account in order to avoid refusal in the Consulate.

How did this type of document appear?

After some of Poland's territory was part of the Russian Empire, many of its citizens were resettled to the east. People were exiled to hard labor in Siberia, and after the Second World War the borders between Poland and the USSR moved to the west. Mazowsze and Podkarpattia withdrew into Belarus and Ukraine. The Pole's card (Karta polaka) is a document that is intended to return those who have not yet lost their cultural and spiritual ties with their historical homeland, some rights that their compatriots have. It was adopted during the presidency of Lech Kaczynski and began to be issued to citizens of the Baltic republics and CIS countries since 2008.

Who can apply for a Card?

As follows from the logic of the development of the document, it is issued to ethnic Poles, and only to those who feel themselves to be so. "You have worn in the heart of a white eagle for so long (the symbol of the country present in its coat of arms)," Lech Kaczynski said , "that now your mother is giving you a document with him." To prove that you feel like a Pole, you need to demonstrate knowledge of the language, history, geography, political system of this country. You also need to prove your genealogical roots. It is enough to have in the family tree at least one great-grandfather or great-grandmother (with documentary confirmation of their Polish origin and your relationship with them) in order to qualify for a Pole Card. There is a myth that it is necessary to have living relatives in the territory of this country. It is not true. How to get a Pole Card if your ancestors born in the territory of this state have already died? In this case, contact the archive with a request for issuance of an extract.

What benefits does this document give?

In addition to deep moral satisfaction in connection with the reunification of spiritual ties with the homeland, the Pole's Card gives its owner and a number of privileges. The main one is the opportunity to get a long-term visa with multiple entry free of charge. You can stay in the country at least 365 days a year! True, this visa for the Pole's Card is not Schengen, and you can be fined and deported for crossing Western cordons of the Commonwealth . Also, the holder of the Pole's Card has the right to legally work without additional authorization. Along with citizens, such a person can engage in entrepreneurial activities, receive free education at all levels, and in emergency cases - and medical assistance. If you are subject to any laws of the country giving benefits (about pensioners, invalids, etc.), you can use a 37% discount on train tickets and visit Polish museums for free.

For how long is the document issued

The Pole's card is valid for ten years. Three months before the end of this period, you must apply to the Consulate with the relevant application for renewal. How to get a Pole Card to a child? If both parents have this document, then problems should not arise. If the child is too small, parents ask the petition. In the case when a minor is already 16 years old, he himself expresses a desire to receive this document. If the Pole's Card is owned by only one of the parents, the second in the presence of the Consul expresses consent to the issue of this document to the son or daughter. When a child reaches adulthood, the Pole's card, regardless of when it is issued, loses its validity term in a year. To extend it for ten years, an adult who has already become an adult must apply with a corresponding application to the Consulate. The document also loses its validity when a person acquires the citizenship of Poland. This also happens in the case of a legal residence permit in that country.

Registration on the Pole Card

Now consider a long, but not a complicated process of obtaining this desired document. First you need to register, that is, make an appointment for an interview. This must be done at the place of residence. For example, if you are registered in Grodno, you will not be accepted at the Polish Embassy in Minsk. Each consular department has its own rules for registering citizens. Somewhere this can be done only by phone. But on the territory of Ukraine you need to register on the site. The questionnaire, which must be filled in Polish, can also be downloaded over the Internet. The date and time of the interview are indicated on the applicant's electronic mailbox. As a rule, it should take place a few months after registration.

Interview on the Pole Map

Do not be afraid of him! You will not be forced to recite the poems of Mickiewicz by heart (although in order to impress the consul, it does not stop to learn at least a short passage). As the law on the Pole's Card itself says, a person who claims to receive this document should demonstrate at least a basic knowledge of the spoken Polish language, as well as a superficial knowledge of the traditions and customs of the people. The consuls, who take the interview, behave in a friendly manner and do not "fail". The conversation is conducted in a relaxed tone. Ask to tell about yourself why you want a Pole Card, what do you know about the province. It is enough to tell about the main cities, mountains, the sea, to name the known to the whole world scientists and cultural figures. You may also be asked about religious holidays that are celebrated in Poland.

Getting a Card

If the consul thinks that documents proving your ethnic origin are not genuine, the level of knowledge of the language and traditions is sufficient, and your desire to join the historical homeland is sincere, it gives you a signature on the Declaration of belonging to the Polish People. After that, you are given a time limit (usually in a month or one and a half) when you can come to receive the Card. At the same time, no consular fee is charged! The Pole's card is issued in a solemn atmosphere, at once to several petitioners.

Mediation of cultural societies (compatriots)

How to get a Pole Card in the easiest way? Local communities of national minorities operate in large cities of Ukraine and Belarus . It would be nice to join the Polish cultural center. Membership fees there are small, but the intermediary assistance of such organizations can give you a lot. First, the chairmen of such cells are constantly in touch with the Embassy or consular departments of Poland. Therefore, it will not be difficult for them to contact them by phone and register you. In Belarus, for example, the main problem is to get through to the Consulate. Secondly, if you are a member of such a partnership for three years, you can apply for a certificate confirming your active participation in the cultural activities of the national minority. If you do not have the necessary documents to prove your Polish origin, such an extract can be enough. And, thirdly, communicating with people from the community, you will gain experience of speaking, expand your horizons concerning the history and culture of the region. This in the future can help you answer questions on the Pole Card during an interview.