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Poland

Nationality · visas, permits and migration

Moved to OECD countries, 2023
179,908
Top destination, 2023
Germany
U.S. non-immigrant visas, FY2025
17,154
UK visas issued, 2025
2,261
Schengen visa refusal rate, 2024
10.7%
NationalityPLISO 3166
Year by year
Data as at 2025
NA<PLPOLAND<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
PL8<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<6

Visa requirements for a short visit

Whether citizens of Poland need a visa for a short tourist or business visit, according to the legal lists. Rules change; check the official source before travelling.

DestinationShort visitLegal basis
Schengen areaFree movement (EU/EFTA citizens)Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30.12.2025)
United KingdomNo visa; electronic travel authorisation (ETA) requiredImmigration Rules, Appendix Visitor / ETA National List
CanadaNo visa; electronic travel authorization (eTA) needed to flyIRPR s. 190, Schedule 1.1
Hong KongNo visa for visits of up to 90 daysImmigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements, 31.12.2025
Source: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806 (consolidated 30 Dec 2025); UK Immigration Rules, Appendix Visitor and ETA National List; Canada IRPR s. 190 and Schedule 1.1; Immigration Department (HKSAR), visit visa requirements as at 31 Dec 2025Data as at Oct 2026

Where people from Poland move

Inflows of foreign nationals by country of nationality, as recorded by each destination (OECD).

Inflows to OECD countries, 2023
  1. Germany97,945
  2. Netherlands25,298
  3. Switzerland7,576
  4. Spain7,401
  5. Norway6,444
  6. Denmark4,879
  7. Sweden4,493
  8. Austria4,477
  9. Iceland4,357
  10. Belgium3,737
  11. United States3,190
  12. France2,096
  13. Italy1,766
  14. Portugal1,373
  15. Japan763

Inflows to all OECD countries by year

155k309k200020032006200920122015201820212023
155k309k2000200420082012201620202023
Data table
2000103,958
2001111,921
2002116,274
2003128,379
2004185,393
2005215,153
2006241,854
2007250,921
2008213,912
2009186,923
2010187,765
2011242,474
2012283,644
2013297,328
2014305,947
2015309,458
2016264,366
2017249,539
2018239,410
2019216,959
2020164,005
2021168,419
2022182,574
2023179,908
Share going to the top destination
54.4%
Destinations recording arrivals
15
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Living abroad

People born in Poland who live in another country: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA). Where a destination records citizenship rather than country of birth, its foreign citizens are counted.

Largest destinations, 2024
  1. Germany1,883,559
  2. United Kingdom902,193
  3. United States396,647
  4. Netherlands210,981
  5. Canada123,819
  6. Norway111,728
  7. Sweden102,889
  8. Ireland102,708
  9. Italy92,115
  10. France84,406
  11. Belgium79,624
  12. Austria79,557

Living abroad by year

2.29M4.57M19901995200020052010201520202024
2.29M4.57M19902000201020202024
Data table
19902,317,607
19952,546,193
20002,502,866
20052,798,776
20103,673,715
20154,154,666
20204,365,879
20244,572,613
Living abroad, 2024
4,572,613
Change since 2000
+82.7%
Share living in the largest destination, 2024
41.2%
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

United States

Visas issued to citizens of Poland by U.S. consulates (fiscal years, October–September) and certified PERM labor certifications.

Non-immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. B1/B27,051
  2. J13,153
  3. C1/D1,769
  4. NATO2762
  5. F1761
  6. L1639
  7. A2462
  8. L2417
  9. P3266
  10. P1245

Non-immigrant visas by fiscal year

61k121k201720182019202020212022202320242025
61k121k20172019202120232025
Data table
201772,838
2018121,183
2019119,126
202013,914
20216,789
202215,218
202317,375
202418,024
202517,154
Immigrant visas by class, FY2025
  1. IR1150
  2. IR5149
  3. DV104
  4. EW89
  5. E375
  6. F365
  7. F460
  8. F155
Immigrant visas, FY2025
947
Certified PERM labor certifications, FY2024 (latest year with citizenship)
268
Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly visa issuances (public domain); U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC PERM disclosure data (public domain)Data as at FY2025

Green cards and U.S. citizenship

People born in Poland who became U.S. lawful permanent residents (green cards) or U.S. citizens, and admissions of citizens of Poland with an I-94 record (DHS, fiscal years).

Green cards by fiscal year

2,8005,6002015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,8005,600201520172019202120232024
Data table
20155,280
20165,600
20174,850
20184,360
20194,700
20203,340
20212,970
20223,190
20233,170
20243,610
Green cards by class of admission, FY2024
  1. Immediate relatives of U.S. citizens2,570
  2. Employment-based preferences710
  3. Family-sponsored preferences200
  4. Diversity visa lottery90
  5. Other classes30
  6. Refugees and asylees10
Temporary worker admissions (I-94), FY2024
  1. Intracompany transferees (L-1)3,510
  2. Spouses and children2,120
  3. Specialty occupations (H-1B)870
  4. Extraordinary ability (O-1, O-2)780
  5. Athletes, artists and entertainers (P)530
  6. Other temporary workers500
  7. Seasonal non-agricultural workers (H-2B)100
  8. Seasonal agricultural workers (H-2A)10
Green cards, FY2024 (born in Poland)
3,610
Naturalizations, FY2024 (born in Poland)
5,170
I-94 admissions, FY2024 (citizenship)
420,030
Source: U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Homeland Security Statistics, Yearbook of Immigration Statistics 2024 (public domain)Data as at FY2024

United Kingdom

Entry clearance visas issued to nationals of Poland (Home Office) and students with a permanent address in Poland (HESA).

Visas issued by group, 2025
  1. Work1,268
  2. Study554
  3. Family254
  4. Other93
  5. Visitor92

Visas issued by year

1,7093,4172010201220182020202220242025
1,7093,4172010201220182020202220242025
Data table
20104
20111
20123
20175
20181
20191
2020113
20213,417
20222,571
20232,430
20242,325
20252,261
Students at UK universities, 2024/25
2,360
Source: Home Office, Immigration system statistics (year ending June 2026), Open Government Licence v3.0Data as at 2025

Canada

Permits and invitations for citizens of Poland, by year the permit took effect (IRCC).

YearTFWP workIMP workStudyPermanent residentsExpress Entry invitations
202549581512026010
20242351,20513544525
20232401,73014553565
202221097516551025
2021215685195675130
202018065585420105
20192752,085165910110
20182351,855170910190
20173101,605170995155
20165501,5302001,000120
20155151,330175975190
Source: IRCC, monthly open data (rounded to the nearest 5). Open Government Licence – CanadaData as at 2025

Australia

Temporary skilled visas (subclass 457 to 2018, then 482) granted to primary applicants who are citizens of Poland, by financial year ending 30 June (Home Affairs).

Primary visas granted by financial year

1382752005–062007–082009–102011–122013–142015–162017–182019–202021–222023–242025–26
1382752005–062009–102013–142017–182021–222025–26
Data table
2005–06122
2006–07219
2007–08199
2008–09153
2009–10104
2010–11154
2011–12273
2012–13275
2013–14216
2014–15236
2015–16239
2016–17251
2017–18167
2018–19214
2019–20150
2020–21132
2021–22132
2022–23171
2023–24165
2024–25236
2025–26138
By stream, 2025–26
  1. Core Skills92
  2. Specialist Skills37
  3. Medium-term4
  4. Labour Agreement4
  5. Short-term1
Granted, 2025–26
138
Share of all Australian grants, 2025–26
0.2%
Source: Department of Home Affairs (Australia), BP0014 Temporary Resident (skilled) visas granted, data locked at 30 Sep 2026 (data.gov.au, CC BY)Data as at 2025–26

Japan

Citizens of Poland living in Japan at the end of each December, by status of residence (Immigration Services Agency of Japan). 2020 and 2021 were published only as database tables.

Foreign residents in Japan

1,0402,0802012201420162018202220242025
1,0402,0802012201420162018202220242025
Data table
20121,007
20131,087
20141,110
20151,653
20161,420
20171,434
20181,626
20191,605
20221,689
20231,766
20241,865
20252,080
By status of residence, December 2025
  1. Permanent Resident568
  2. Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services336
  3. Spouse or Child of Japanese National316
  4. Student288
  5. Designated Activities179
  6. Dependent141
  7. Highly Skilled Professional33
  8. Long-Term Resident29
  9. Professor28
  10. Cultural Activities22
Residents, December 2025
2,080
In work-related statuses
514
Share in work-related statuses
24.7%
Students
288
Source: Immigration Services Agency of Japan, Statistics on Foreign Residents (在留外国人統計), Table 1, end of December (e-Stat; Government of Japan Standard Terms of Use 2.0)Data as at Dec 2025

Schengen visas in Poland

Short-stay (C) visa applications at Schengen consulates located in Poland, 2024. Applicants are mostly, but not only, its citizens.

Schengen stateApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
Bulgaria362238.3%
Croatia211600.0%
Belgium2181047.6%
Italy171700.0%
Spain131000.0%
Greece4400.0%
France3300.0%
Switzerland3300.0%
Luxembourg2200.0%
Slovakia2200.0%

Applications by year

2,7995,5982009201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,7995,598200920122015201820212024
Data table
20095,598
20101,605
201197
2012666
201384
201499
2015218
2016283
2017343
201881
201970
202031
202131
2022228
2023112
2024122
Refusal rate, 2024
10.7%
Refusal rate, 2019
20.0%
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

National statistics in Europe

Citizens of Poland in the figures of national statistics offices: residence permits granted in Denmark, immigrations by grounds for settlement in Sweden and immigrants with a non-EU/EFTA nationality by migration motive in the Netherlands; Finland and Austria publish immigration and emigration by citizenship only.

CountryYearAllWorkStudyFamilyProtectionOther or unknown
Denmark20253,9702,7814343811373
Sweden20252,1061902832,056
CountryYearImmigrationEmigrationNet migration
Finland2025212285-73
Austria20253,0823,973-891
Work-related, latest year
  1. Denmark2,781
  2. Sweden19
Source: Danmarks Statistik, Statistikbanken VAN66 and VAN77M (CC BY 4.0); SCB (Statistics Sweden), Statistikdatabasen TAB1614 and TAB6670 (CC0); CBS (Statistics Netherlands), StatLine 84809NED (CC BY 4.0); Statistics Finland (Tilastokeskus), StatFin 11a8 (CC BY 4.0); Statistik Austria, OGD_bevwan020_AUSSENWAND_100 (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

Foreign embassies and consulates in Poland

Countries with an embassy or consulate in Poland, as recorded in Wikidata.

CountryEmbassiesConsulates-generalConsulates
Afghanistan1——
Albania1——
Algeria1——
Angola1——
Argentina1——
Armenia1——
Australia1——
Austria1—1
Azerbaijan1——
Bangladesh1——
Belarus11—
Belgium1——
Bosnia and Herzegovina1——
Brazil1——
Bulgaria1——
Canada1——
Chile1——
China11—
Colombia1——
Croatia1——
Cuba1——
Cyprus1——
Czechia1——
DR Congo1——
Ecuador1——
Egypt1——
El Salvador——1
Estonia1——
Finland1——
France11—
Georgia1——
Germany131
Greece1——
Hungary12—
Iceland1——
India1——
Indonesia1——
Iran1——
Iraq1——
Ireland1——
Israel1——
Italy1——
Japan1——
Kazakhstan1——
Kosovo—1—
Kuwait1——
Latvia1——
Lebanon1——
Libya1——
Lithuania1—1
Luxembourg1——
Malaysia1——
Malta1——
Mexico1——
Moldova1——
Mongolia1——
Montenegro1——
Morocco1——
Netherlands1——
New Zealand2——
Nigeria1——
North Korea1——
North Macedonia1——
Norway1——
Pakistan1——
Palestine1——
Panama1——
Paraguay—1—
Peru1——
Philippines1——
Portugal1——
Qatar1——
Romania1——
Russia12—
Rwanda1——
Saudi Arabia1——
Senegal1——
Serbia1——
Slovakia11—
Slovenia1—2
South Africa1——
South Korea1——
Spain1——
Sri Lanka1——
Sweden1—1
Switzerland1——
Syria1——
Thailand1——
Tunisia1——
Türkiye1——
Ukraine112
United Arab Emirates1——
United Kingdom1——
United States—1—
Uruguay1——
Uzbekistan1——
Venezuela1——
Vietnam1——
Yemen1——
Countries
99
Missions
120
Source: Wikidata (CC0)Data as at Oct 2026

Remittances

Money that migrants send home: personal remittances received by Poland, in current US dollars (World Bank).

Remittances received by year, US$ million

6,16112k2000200320062009201220152018202120242025
6,16112k200020052010201520202025
Data table
20001,496
20011,563
20021,685
20032,284
20044,724
20057,283
20069,563
200711,975
200812,321
200910,214
20107,712
20117,768
20127,041
20137,457
20147,468
20156,835
20166,763
20177,305
20187,603
20197,515
20207,438
20217,929
20227,564
20238,540
20248,690
20259,461
Remittances received, 2025
US$9,461 million
Share of GDP, 2025
0.9%
Average cost of sending US$200 to Poland, 2023
0.9%
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2025

All corridors from Poland

Destinations with a dedicated page for citizens of this country.

  • Poland → Germany
  • Poland → Netherlands
  • Poland → Switzerland
  • Poland → Spain
  • Poland → Norway
  • Poland → Denmark
  • Poland → Sweden
  • Poland → Austria
  • Poland → Iceland
  • Poland → Belgium
  • Poland → United States
  • Poland → France
  • Poland → Italy
  • Poland → Portugal
  • Poland → Japan
  • Poland → Canada
  • Poland → United Kingdom
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more