Visa Processing

Who may file an immigrant petition for alien relative (form I-130) at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw or U.S Consulate General in Kraków?

The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and the U.S. Consulate General in Kraków accept immigrant petitions filed by American citizens resident in Poland for their spouse or unmarried children under 21 if the spouse or child resides in Poland, and the petitioner. To demonstrate residency in a consular district, the American Citizen petitioners must be able to show that they have permission to reside in the consular district and that they have been doing so continuously for at least six months before filing the petition.  Individuals who are in the country on a temporary status, such as student or tourist, would not be considered to meet the residency standard.

Americans resident in Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania filing for spouses and children resident in those countries can file their petitions in Warsaw by following the procedures below.  Please check with the U.S. Consular Sections in Minsk, Riga, Vilnius respectively for additional details.

American citizens residing in the U.S. as well as lawful permanent residents can file the petition with the appropriate United States Citizenship and Immigration Services office in the United States.

When can you file an I-130 petition?

Petitions may be filed at the U.S. Embassy in Warsaw between 1:30 and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except for all official United States and Polish public holidays . The entrance to the Consular Section is at 12 Piękna Street in Warsaw.

In Kraków the petitions are filed at the American Citizen Services Section during business hours.

What is the fee for filing the petition?

The fee for filing an I-130 petition is $355 or its equivalent in Polish currency according to the Embassy exchange rate. It is payable at the consular section in U.S. or Polish currency. Checks and credit cards are not accepted.

What documents are required at the time of filing the petition?

1. Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative.
2. Two Forms G-325A, Biographic Information. One form should be completed by the petitioner and one form by his/her spouse (required only for spouses of U.S. citizens). Please provide one color photo of you and one of your spouse. To read about the photo requirements click here.
3. A valid U.S. passport.
4. Beneficiary's complete birth certificate.
5. Current complete marriage certificate.
6. Divorce decrees or death certificates showing termination of all prior marriages of petitioner and beneficiary.
7. Proof that the petitioner has permission to reside in the consular district and that they have been doing so continously for at least six months before filing the petition, such as a Polish Residence Permit (Karta Pobytu).

Original documents must be presented to the U.S. consular officer. They may be returned if accompanied by a copy. Any document written in a language other than Polish or English must be translated into English by a sworn translator.

Can the documents be mailed or filed by an attorney or another intermediary?

No. All documents must be filed in person by the petitioning U.S. citizen at the Embassy.