Poland transit visa to Ukraine: what does a foreigner need to know?

Ing pamaglakbe papunta Ukraine kapamilatan ning Poland keng 2025 mangailangan yang detalyadung pamagsadya, kayabe na ing pamagprosesu kareng dokumentung transit. abalu mu nung ninu ing mangailangan transit visa, nanu la reng dokumentung kailangan para keng pamaglub, makananu mag apply para keng visa papunta keng Ukraine, ampo nanu ing importanting abalu para keng ligtas ampo legal a pamaglakbe keng angganan

Legal assistance on entry and stay in Ukraine

GET

Transit through EU countries to Ukraine is not always an easy task, especially for citizens of countries with a visa regime. If you are planning a trip to Ukraine via Poland in 2025, it is important to know the current rules, including transit conditions, rules of entry into Ukraine and other subtleties.

In this article, we will consider: who needs a transit visa through Poland to enter Ukraine, what documents are needed, what types of visas exist for Ukraine, how to prepare for a trip through the EU and much more useful information.

Transit visa from Poland to Ukraine: everything you need to know

To travel to Ukraine via Poland, foreigners from countries that do not have a visa-free regime with the EU need to apply for a Schengen short-term visa type C.

Important! In the Polish visa legislation, a separate transit visa type A is available, but it is currently not suitable for travel to Ukraine, as it is used exclusively for flights with a transfer, due to military operations in Ukraine there is no air connection.

A Schengen visa type C will allow you to legally arrive in Poland and reach the Ukrainian border by land transport.

- How to get a Polish Schengen visa type C for travel to Ukraine?

To obtain a Schengen visa, apply in person to the Polish diplomatic mission in your country of residence. To obtain permission, you must provide the following package of documents:

1. A completed visa application form, printed and signed.

2. A color photo 3.5x4.5 cm (on a white background, not older than 6 months, without a headdress, the face occupies 70–80%).

3. Passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months after the trip, with 2 blank pages).

4. Copy of the first page of the passport.

5. National ID card + official translation.

6. Travel insurance valid throughout the Schengen area, with coverage of at least 30,000 euros.

7. Confirmation of sufficient funds for the trip: bank statement for the last 6 months, certificate from the place of employment or pension payments, income from real estate or a confirmed credit card.

8. Confirmation of availability of accommodation (hotel reservation or official invitation).

9. Ticket reservation.

10. Document explaining the purpose of the visit (invitation, itinerary, etc.).

11. For minors: notarized parental consent, copies of parents' passports, birth certificate. If the child is included in the parents' passport, a separate application form is submitted, the visa is affixed to the same document.

12. Other documents that may be additionally required by the diplomatic mission in the country where you are applying.

- Who does not need a transit visa?

A transit visa to Poland is not required if:

1. You are a citizen of a country that has a visa-free regime with Schengen.

2. You have a valid Schengen visa of any type (C, D).

3. You have a residence permit in the EU/Schengen countries.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

How to enter Ukraine through a third transit country?

Before you set off on a trip, check the visa regime of Ukraine and the EU countries through which you plan to transit. Key points:

Step 1 - Check whether you need a visa to enter Ukraine (this can be done on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine).

Step 2 – Apply for a visa to Ukraine, if you need one.

Step 3 – Obtain a transit visa to Poland or another EU country through which the route is planned.

Also remember that the final decision on your entry is made by the border service, so prepare all documents confirming the purpose and route of your trip in advance.

Need help with applying for a Ukrainian visa or transit through the EU? Visit Ukraine lawyers will help you prepare documents, fill out the application form and accompany you until you receive the visa.

Rules for obtaining a visa to Ukraine

Visa requirements in Ukraine depend on the citizenship of a foreigner: Ukraine has a visa-free regime with certain states, citizens of other countries must obtain a visa for entry before traveling.

- Visa-free regime

Citizens of about 52 countries and territories have the right to visa-free entry to Ukraine.

Among such countries are the EU countries, Japan, Kuwait, the USA, Uruguay and others. Citizens of visa-free countries have the right to stay in Ukraine for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

You can check whether a country is on the visa-free list on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

- Electronic visa (e-Visa)

Available to citizens of 45 countries for short-term trips. It is issued online on the electronic visa portal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The procedure consists of filling out an electronic questionnaire. Additionally, you need to upload an electronic copy of several documents: a valid passport, a recent passport-sized photograph, a health insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros, proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay, and a document confirming the purpose of your visit (e.g. hotel reservation, invitation letter, etc.).

The standard processing time for an e-visa is 3 business days. Expedited processing takes 1 business day.

- Short-stay visa (type C)

This visa is issued to foreigners whose stay does not exceed 90 days in the last 180 days. It can be issued for single, double or multiple entries. Type C visas are most often obtained for tourism, business trips or private visits, medical treatment and media entry. Type C visas can be of two subtypes - C 01 (business visa) and C 02 (private visa).

- Long-term visa (type D)

Issued to foreigners who wish to enter Ukraine for the purpose of temporary, but long-term, or permanent residence. A type D visa is issued to foreigners and stateless persons, granting them the right to stay or reside in Ukraine for a period exceeding 90 days.

Important! A citizen of any country in the world who has received confirmation of joining the International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine can enter Ukraine without a visa if he submits the relevant documents at the border.

Package of documents for obtaining a visa to Ukraine

Indicative list of documents for obtaining a visa to Ukraine:

- International passport;

- Completed application form;

- Photo;

- Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (invitation, hotel reservation, etc.);

- Medical insurance policy (necessarily with coverage of military risks);

- Proof of funds for stay in the country;

- Check for payment of consular fee;

- Other documents, depending on the purpose of the trip.

Traveling to Ukraine in 2025 requires preparation - especially for citizens of countries with a visa regime. Due to the lack of air traffic, travel is possible only by land transport, and for transit through Poland or other EU countries, a Schengen visa type C may be required.

Refer to verified information, plan your route, prepare all documents in advance - and your trip to Ukraine will be trouble-free.

If you are planning to visit Ukraine, purchase an insurance policy that covers military risks. Reliable protection during your trip from the best insurance agents!

Reminder! Despite air raids, missile attacks and other military risks, Ukraine attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. We have already told you what travel insurance to Ukraine is worth purchasing, which policy to choose and how to do it most conveniently.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.