Polish Passport update in Poland - how long does it take here? (both US and PL citizenship)

able

6 Aug 2014 #1

Hi - I am trying to get some answers regarding my father-in-law going back to Poland to live. He has a current US Passport and an expired Polish passport. He plans on leaving in September. Since he will be traveling on his US passport, I believe he can only be in Poland for 90 days. Can he leave Poland for a couple of days and then re-enter, until the updated Polish passport goes through. If so, when he gets to Poland, can he get his Polish passport updated there and possibly it will take less than 90 days?

Harry

6 Aug 2014 #2

He has a current US Passport and an expired Polish passport.

Sorry but he legally must use his Polish passport for entering and leaving Poland. It is a crime for him to identify himself to any Polish government official with documents other than Polish ones. The good news is that he can legally use an expired Polish passport to enter Poland (although he'll need his valid US passport to get onto the plane). The bad news is that he can't leave Poland on an expired passport.

Similar to U.S. laws that require U.S. citizens to enter and exit on a valid U.S. passport, Poland also requires Polish citizens (including dual U.S. citizens or those with claims to Polish citizenship) to enter and depart Poland using a Polish passport. If you are a U.S. citizen and also a Polish citizen, or if you are unsure if you hold Polish citizenship, you should contact the nearest Polish consular office for further information.

travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country/poland.html

Monitor 14 | 1,818

6 Aug 2014 #3

He plans on leaving in September.

He has still time to get a new passport from embassy in USA, but he should do it ASAP. Alternatively he can do it upon arriving in Poland.

OP able

6 Aug 2014 #4

Thank you for your help. You have answered all my questions/concerns.

He has still time to get a new passport from embassy in USA, but he should do it ASAP. Alternatively he can do it upon arriving in Poland.

He went to the Embassy on Monday and he was told it was going to take 4-6 months for everything to go through... As long as he can enter Poland on the expired passport and get it renewed in Poland, he should be good

Monitor 14 | 1,818

6 Aug 2014 #5

He went to the Embassy on Monday and he was told it was going to take 4-6 months for everything to go through

There must be some fast track for temporary, more expensive passport, which is given for people who lost their own during vacation and need new for return, but probably making new in Poland is cheaper idea.