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10.08.02, 18:57
Poland - Consular Information Sheet
February 7, 2002
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Poland is a moderately developed European nation and a
democracy rapidly implementing a free market transformation. While improving
rapidly, tourist facilities are not highly developed in all areas, and some
of the services taken for granted in other European countries can be
difficult to find in some parts of the country.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need
visas for stays up to 90 days for tourist, business, or transit purposes.
Americans should ensure that their passports are date-stamped upon entry.
Persons planning to stay in Poland for longer than 90 days or who will be
employed in Poland must obtain a visa in advance. Polish law requires every
traveler to be able to show means of support, if asked. For persons above 16
years of age, this has been defined as 100 Polish zloty per day or the
equivalent in foreign currency or other negotiable instruments. For further
information on entry requirements, please contact the Embassy of the Republic
of Poland, Consular Section, at 2224 Wyoming Ave N.W., Washington, D.C.
20008, tel. (202) 232-4517 or 232-4528, or the Polish consulates in Chicago,
Los Angeles, and New York. The Polish Embassy can also be contacted via its
web site at www.polishworld.com/polemb.
DUAL NATIONALITY: Poland is now enforcing a law that requires Polish citizens
to enter and depart Poland using a Polish passport (including Polish citizens
who are also American citizens). Americans who are also Polish citizens or
who are unsure if they hold Polish citizenship are advised to contact the
nearest Polish consular office for information about citizenship requirements
and travel documentation. Poland has compulsory military service for all
males between the ages of eighteen and twenty-eight. A dual national would
not be subject to conscription if he can prove that he does not live in
Poland. While recognizing that some Americans are also citizens of other
countries, the U.S. Government does not encourage its citizens to become or
remain dual nationals due to an array of complications that may ensue from
the obligations owed to the country of second nationality. Additional
information about the U.S. Government's policy with respect to dual
nationality may be found at the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at
travel.state.gov/dualnationality.html.
CRIME INFORMATION: Crime rates in Poland vary. Warsaw, Krakow, and other
major cities have higher rates of crime against residents and foreign
visitors. The tri-cities area of Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdansk has a high
incidence of muggings, sometimes in broad daylight. Organized groups of
thieves and pickpockets operate at major tourist destinations, in train
stations, and on trains, trams, and buses in major cities. Thefts have
occurred on overnight trains, including thefts from passengers in second-
class closed compartments. Most pickpocketing on trains occurs when boarding.
A common practice is for groups of well-dressed young men to surround a
passenger in the narrow aisle of the train and jostle/pickpocket him or her
as they supposedly attempt to get around the passenger. (This often occurs in
first-class cars).
Racially motivated verbal and, on occasion, physical harassment of Americans
and others of non-Caucasian ethnicity can occur. Most of the incidents that
have occurred were perpetrated by groups of young males generally identified
as skinheads.
Car thefts, carjackings, and theft from cars are commonplace. Drivers should
be wary of persons indicating they should pull over or that something is
wrong with their car. Often, a second car or person is following, and when
the driver of the targeted car gets out to see if there is a problem, the
person who has been following will get in and drive off with the car. Drivers
should never get out of the car to check for damage without first turning off
the ignition and taking the keys. There has been an increasing incidence of
thieves opening or breaking passenger-side doors and windows in slow or
stopped traffic to take purses or briefcases left on the seat beside the
driver.
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to
the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. citizens may
refer to the Department of State's pamphlet, A Safe Trip Abroad, for ways to
promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available by mail from
the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
D.C. 20402, via the Internet at www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs, or via the
Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at travel.state.gov.