India Tourist Visa for Polish Citizens: Requirements, Fees & Application

The Indian Tourist Visa allows Polish citizens to enter India for sightseeing, visiting friends and family, yoga retreats, and recreational activities. This visa category offers 30-day (double entry), 1-year (multiple entry), and 5-year (multiple entry) with double entry for 30-day; multiple entry for 1-year and 5-year privileges. Polish passport holders are eligible to apply online through India's e-Visa portal, eliminating the need to visit the Embassy of India in Warsaw. The 30-day tourist visa is non-extendable. The 1-year and 5-year variants allow multiple entries but each stay must not exceed the continuous stay limit.

Polish citizens must prepare the following documents before starting their application: 1. Valid passport (6+ months validity, 2 blank pages) 2. Recent passport-sized photo (white background, 2x2 inches) 3. Return flight itinerary 4. Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation) 5. Proof of sufficient funds All documents must be in English or accompanied by certified English translations. Polish passport holders should ensure their passport has at least six months of validity from the intended date of arrival in India. Digital scans should be clear, with passport pages showing all four corners and text fully legible.

The standard e-Visa fee for Polish citizens is approximately 400 PLN (PLN). This covers the government processing fee for the Tourist Visa category. Fees are in PLN. Polish Visa/Mastercard credit cards from PKO BP, mBank, and ING Polska work. BLIK payments and bank transfers are not accepted. Ensure your card has international online transaction capability enabled. Additional service charges may apply depending on the processing speed selected. Fee structures are set by the Indian government and are subject to periodic revision. It is advisable to check the official portal for the most current fee at the time of application. Fees are non-refundable once the application is submitted, regardless of whether the visa is approved or denied.

The Tourist Visa application for Polish citizens follows these steps: 1. Visit the official Indian e-Visa portal and select "Tourist Visa" as the visa category. 2. Fill in personal details, passport information, and travel itinerary. 3. Upload your passport scan and photograph meeting Indian specifications. 4. Review all information carefully for accuracy. 5. Submit payment of 400 PLN via credit or debit card. 6. Receive confirmation and tracking number via email. 7. Download your Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) once approved. Standard processing takes 72 to 96 hours (standard processing). Apply at least 4-7 business days before your planned departure from Poland to account for any delays. The ETA is electronically linked to your passport number — carry a printed copy for reference at immigration.

Polish citizens holding an Indian Tourist Visa are permitted to stay for a maximum of 90 days per visit during each visit. The standard stay limit is 90 days per visit. Note that citizens of the USA, UK, Canada, and Japan receive an extended 180-day stay allowance, but this does not currently apply to Polish passport holders. Overstaying your visa is a serious immigration violation that can result in fines, detention, and future visa denials. This is a single-entry visa — once you exit India, the visa is consumed regardless of remaining validity.

India is approximately 3.5 to 4.5 hours ahead of Poland. Indian business hours (9:00 AM - 5:30 PM IST) overlap with Polish afternoon hours, making it convenient to contact the Warsaw embassy or Indian support lines during your workday. LOT Polish Airlines operates seasonal direct flights from Warsaw to Delhi. Flight time is approximately 7 hours. Connections through Dubai, Istanbul, or Frankfurt are available year-round. Upon arrival in India, Polish citizens should proceed to the e-Visa immigration counter (separate from regular visa lines) at the airport. Have your printed ETA, passport, and return ticket ready. Immigration processing typically takes 15-30 minutes. India uses the metric system, drives on the left side of the road, and the local currency is the Indian Rupee (INR).

Polish applicants sometimes enter their PESEL number (national identification) in the passport number field. The PESEL and passport numbers are entirely different systems — use only the passport number beginning with two letters. Other frequent errors that affect Polish applicants include: applying too close to the travel date (allow at least 4-7 days), uploading compressed or cropped passport scans that obscure the machine-readable zone, and providing inconsistent information between the application form and passport. For tourist visa applicants, ensure your stated purpose of visit aligns with tourism activities — mentioning business meetings or work will cause the application to be flagged. Double-check every field before submission — corrections after submission are not possible.

Depending on your travel purpose, Polish citizens may also consider other Indian e-Visa categories: [Business Visa](/guide/india-business-visa-for-polish-citizens), [Medical Visa](/guide/india-medical-visa-for-polish-citizens), [Conference Visa](/guide/india-conference-visa-for-polish-citizens), [eMedical Attendant Visa](/guide/india-medical-attendant-visa-for-polish-citizens). Each visa type has specific eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and stay limits. Polish interest in India has grown significantly, with many young Polish travelers drawn to backpacking routes through Rajasthan, spiritual retreats in Rishikesh, and beach life in Goa. Poland's growing IT sector also drives business travel to Bangalore and Hyderabad. Choosing the correct visa category is essential — applying under the wrong category leads to rejection and loss of the non-refundable application fee.