If you don’t have Polish roots or have only one ancestor, you may wonder how to obtain a Pole’s Card. The answer is to seek the help of lawyers to retrieve the missing documents from archives. Additionally, you should be aware of the requirements for obtaining a Pole’s Card.
The Pole’s Card or Polish Card (karta polaka) is an official document that provides evidence of an individual’s connections to Poland for those residing outside the country. The card was established in September 2007 under the “Act on the Pole’s Card”, which outlines the rules for card issuance and recipient rights.
Originally, the act consisted of three main rules for foreigners and was limited to those with ethnic Polish roots. However, since January 2017, various changes to the law allow non-Polish individuals to obtain the Pole’s Card if they can provide a letter of recommendation from a Polish organization.
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Obtaining the Pole’s Card according to the Law
To obtain the Pole’s Card as per the law, applicants must fulfill certain requirements outlined in the initial regulatory act. These include demonstrating knowledge of Polish culture through an interview and language proficiency, submitting a written application in person, and providing evidence of Polish heritage, such as having at least one parent, grandparent, or two third-generation relatives on the ascending line who are of Polish descent.
In addition, minors under the age of 16 can receive the card if at least one of their parents has already obtained it.
Qualification for the program: great-grandparents or great-grandmothers
Any ancestor up to the third generation in the ascending line is eligible for the program, including great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers.
If the ancestor was born in Poland before 1920, their information can be requested from the archives. If the great-grandfather or great-grandmother left Poland before 1920, their information may be found in archives belonging to countries such as Austro-Hungary, Russia, Poland, and others, depending on which country owned the territory where the Polish ancestors lived.
Documents to prove Polish roots
You can confirm your Polish roots with one of the following documents:
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- Extract from the State Registry Office
- Certificate from the archive of the country where the ancestor lived
You need to submit to the Polish embassy or consulate the following documents for obtaining a Pole’s Card:
- Completed application form
- 1 photo (35 x 45 mm) taken no later than 6 months before the application submission
- Copy of a valid passport
- Document confirming the origin of relatives or recommendations from a Polish organization
- Birth certificate of the relative indicating nationality (parents or grandparents)
- Certificate of passing a language exam or a certificate of education in Polish language. If such a certificate is not available, the applicant must demonstrate language proficiency during an interview at the consulate.
- Original and copies of the applicant’s passport
The application must be submitted in person along with the necessary documents. It should be filled out legibly in Polish. At the same time, the applicant will have an interview with a consul.
It should be noted that all non-Polish documents need to be translated and notarized or certified. Some consulates offer translation services and notarization of translated documents. Those who require this service should check its availability at the consulate in their country.
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The process of obtaining a Pole’s Card
To obtain a Pole’s Card, the repatriation process must be followed, which involves 5 steps.
The first step is to commence learning the language and history of Poland, as this knowledge is required during the interview process.
Simultaneously, the applicant must find proof of their Polish ancestry, such as birth certificates or extracts from state registers. If the ancestors are great-grandparents or great-great-grandparents, archives must be requested. The official waiting time for a response from the archives is 30 days, but the duration may vary based on the complexity of the request and the archives’ speed.
After obtaining the necessary documents and studying the history, traditions, and culture of Poland, the applicant must schedule an interview at the embassy, which is open full-time on weekdays from Monday to Friday. The interview will be conducted by a consul, so a prior appointment is mandatory.
On the scheduled day, the applicant brings their documents and answers questions for 15-30 minutes, following which they leave the package for review.
The response will be emailed to the provided email address, after which the applicant can visit the embassy to collect their Pole’s Card at any time.
Obtaining a Pole’s Card requires Polish Language proficiency
To obtain a Pole’s Card, applicants must have a minimum of B-1 level of proficiency in the Polish language, which is considered intermediate. The exam taker is expected to score approximately 50% out of 100%.
The State Certification Commission was established under the Ministry of Education of Poland in 2003, issuing certificates of language proficiency. However, in the absence of an official certificate, the exam can be taken in person by a consul. Foreigners may contact any organization that conducts testing to assess their proficiency.
The certification process evaluates five types of language skills: reading, listening, writing, grammar, and speaking. During the oral interview, applicants may be asked any topic. The list of popular questions is often published on websites dedicated to passing the interview. These questions may include basic knowledge of the flag, coat of arms, anthem, and holiday traditions, as well as significant events in Polish history or prominent personalities.
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Privileges for Polish cardholders
Among the benefits of the document for the holder are:
- Free visa processing for entry to Poland
- No need to obtain a work permit
- Permission to engage in entrepreneurial activities
- Free education in state universities in Poland
- Free emergency medical care
- Monetary assistance for organizing a move to Poland
- 37% discount on public transportation fares
- Free admission to museums.
Note! Obtaining a Pole’s Card is only proof of a foreigner’s affiliation with the Polish nation. However, it should be noted that possessing this card does not grant Polish citizenship, nor does it entitle the holder to temporary or permanent residency in Poland, or visa-free entry into Poland.
