Visa for Poland from Ethiopia: price, documents and processing time 2026

Yes. Ethiopia does not benefit from a Schengen visa waiver: an Ethiopian traveller wishing to explore Kraków's old town or attend a meeting in Warsaw must obtain a Type C short-stay visa before departure. This visa covers tourism, visits to family or friends and occasional business trips. A stay longer than 90 days requires a Polish national (Type D) visa instead.

• Government fee90 EUR
• Application centre feeCapped at €45
• Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
• ExtrasVariable

Prepare the completed Schengen form, a passport valid at least three months beyond your planned return, two compliant photos, hotel and return-flight bookings, proof of funds and travel medical insurance of at least €30,000. The visa fee is normally €90 for an adult, excluding any service partner charge. Confirm the exact fee on the official site before applying.

Applications are made to the Embassy of Poland in Addis Ababa, or to its designated processing partner where one is appointed. Appointments are usually booked through the e-Konsulat system. Because Poland must be your main destination or point of entry into the Schengen area, apply to the Polish authorities rather than another consulate. In-person attendance is required for biometric data.

• Your application goes to the state that is your main destination. If Poland is where you spend the longest, it handles the file, whatever the entry point.
• With no main destination, the competent state is the one you enter first.
• If Poland has no consulate in Ethiopia, another Schengen state may act on its behalf under a representation arrangement, or the file goes to the post accredited for your country.

Then the application goes to the post accredited for Ethiopia, often in a neighbouring capital, or to a state acting on its behalf. Confirm which post is competent with the official source before travelling to a third country to apply, a rejected file at the wrong counter costs the trip and the fee.

The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Ethiopia but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.

Processing usually takes 15 to 45 days, so lodge your file several weeks ahead of travel, within six months at most. A precise itinerary, evidence of sufficient funds and strong ties to Ethiopia (employment, studies, family) strengthen your application. Also check whether a yellow-fever vaccination certificate will be required depending on your routing.

The main reasons for refusal are non-compliant insurance, funds considered insufficient, or an incomplete file. Do not leave it to the last minute and avoid unconfirmed bookings. Documents written in Amharic usually need translation into Polish or English, and all copies must match the information on the form exactly.