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Polish Citizen, US legal resident, but no Polish Passport...

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posts: 65

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Jan 29, 08, 11:03 #1

I came to America in '81 via a passport with my mother. I was on hers because I was a minor. She has since turned that old passport in and received a new one with just her on it. Does anyone know how I can go about getting another Polish passport? If that is what I need to travel to Poland and return to America? I am a Legal US Resident so I have a "green card" and I also have my original birth certificate from Poland. Unfortunately, my calls/emails to the Polish Consulate in Chicago have gone unanswered. Any help helps...

helloThreads: 37 Posts: 1,104 Joined: Dec 5, 06 ♂	Jan 29, 08, 11:13 #2
Polish passport will be enough to go to Poland. But you don't really need Polish passport - you can travel on US passport without any problems (there are many Poles that have both Polish and US passport and they travel on the US one for some reason).

magdalenkaThreads: 1 Posts: 2 Joined: Jan 29, 08 ♀	Jan 29, 08, 11:17 #3
I think you have to be a US citizen to get a passport thought, don't you?

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07 ♂	Edited by: z_darius Jan 29, 08, 11:24 #4
hello wrote: (there are many Poles that have both Polish and US passport and they travel on the US one for some reason). The reason is simple: In Poland the US passport is not valid for Polish citizens. In order to go back to the US Poles need some sort of document - a visa or a US passport. Polish passport won't do.

magdalenkaThreads: 1 Posts: 2 Joined: Jan 29, 08 ♀	Jan 29, 08, 11:28 #5
So I need a Polish passport to get into Poland and a US passport to get back into America?

helloThreads: 37 Posts: 1,104 Joined: Dec 5, 06 ♂	Jan 29, 08, 11:34 #6
Ok, yes you need to have either Polish or American passport to even leave the USA. I don't know which one would be easier and faster to get first.

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Jan 29, 08, 20:40 #7

Your not a citizen of the U.S. so it's impossible for you to have a American passport. Seems you have a huge problem on your hands. Your mother is really to blame for this. Does she still have her old passport? I don't know what to advise to you. You seem pretty screwed with this one. The only ones who can solve this is the polish consulate. Might need to take a trip to Chicago with all the proof you have.

EurolaThreads: 6 Posts: 2,647 Joined: Dec 2, 06 ♀	Jan 29, 08, 20:52 #8
All you need to travel is your US Passport. It's good to get in to Poland and good to get back. I use only USA Passport and let the Polish one expire 10 or 15 years ago. Maybe I renew it some day (for a hefty price, I suppose). My friend is also a citizen, but she travels only on Polish passport, because she's got property there and claims it's easier.

El GatoThreads: 9 Posts: 459 Joined: Sep 21, 07 ♂	Jan 29, 08, 20:54 #9
Eurola wrote: Maybe I renew it some day (for a hefty price, I suppose). Getting mine renewed. Lots of money and have to travel to NY like 6 times for every single paper they have to sign.

EurolaThreads: 6 Posts: 2,647 Joined: Dec 2, 06 ♀	Jan 29, 08, 20:56 #10
It is very hard to accomplish anything with a polish consulate. It's a joke. Forget about returning a call...and they are supposed to take care about polish citizens abroad. Ha!

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Jan 29, 08, 20:57 #11

If you are a legal US citizen, it's far easier and less complicated to get a US passport than a Polish one. When you return back to the US, you go through US citizens customs. If you travel on a Polish passport, you will need to get a visa for a re-entry to the US. So if possible, get a US passport. Definitely.

Since you don't have the old Polish passport you will need to go to Poland to issue you one. You have left as a minor, you are an adult now. You have to go to the vital statistic records where you are registered in Poland. This can also be done through the Polish embassy but it takes longer. You will have to register as an adult now in Poland. It takes about 2 months. Then you have to show evidence where you were living in Poland before your departure. This is a very long process and a lot of runnung around.
Try calling the embassy or write them a certified letter with your questions. They will answer letters. E-mails they don't always reply to.

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Jan 29, 08, 20:58 #12

Eurola wrote:

It is very hard to accomplish anything with a polish consulate. It's a joke. Forget about returning a call...and they are supposed to take care about polish citizens abroad. Ha!

Yeah. I have to renew my Polish citizenship. I plan on living in Poland someday. Career in architecture but I'll give football a try first.

It's all worth it if I can make an honest living where my family lives.

:]

polishgirltx	Jan 29, 08, 21:01 #13
El Gato wrote: I have to renew my Polish citizenship. i didn't know that ppl have to renew their Polish citizenship...?

El GatoThreads: 9 Posts: 459 Joined: Sep 21, 07 ♂	Jan 29, 08, 21:03 #14
polishgirltx wrote: i didn't know that ppl have to renew their Polish citizenship...? Well I'm not sure if I have to "renew" it, but something has to be done with it, that's all I know. I am a legal citizen of both the US and Poland, but I have to go to Polish consulate and get some papers signed and what not.

polishgirltx	Jan 29, 08, 21:14 #15
i thought that only the US immigration makes ppl lives miserable...hehehe... good luck kocie...

El GatoThreads: 9 Posts: 459 Joined: Sep 21, 07 ♂	Jan 29, 08, 21:27 #16
polishgirltx wrote: i thought that only the US immigration makes ppl lives miserable...hehehe... good luck kocie... Lol. Thanks. :]

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Jan 29, 08, 22:47 #17

magdalenka wrote:

my calls/emails to the Polish Consulate in Chicago have gone unanswered. Any help helps... [/quote

yeah, they are terrible about that.. welcome to polish bureaucracy . you'll need to go in person. make sure to check the hours as they are short.[quote=El Gato]
Getting mine renewed. Lots of money and have to travel to NY like 6 times for every single paper they have to sign.

very easy in chicago. just go in with the money and photos, fill out the paperwork there, know your PESL (which you prob don't have but they'll figure it out) if you need a passport within the next 6mo get the temp one (extra pics and U$50-75..) check the site.. it's all in there.
then you'll get a letter sometime when they have a new one ready for you.. you will have to go in person to retreive it although they never checked my ID. if you live really far away they MAY send it to you.(extra $)..

if you do not speak polish, the whole thing may be a completely different experience.

Eurola wrote:

It is very hard to accomplish anything with a polish consulate. It's a joke. Forget about returning a call...and they are supposed to take care about polish citizens abroad. Ha!

i have to agree.. completely 180 from what US consulates do for their citizens. but in person it was no hassle at all.. the soldiers (security) even helped me and got me the right forms and all.. i expected a completely different experience.

i was in very similar situation to magda but i did have a very, very old passport.

krysia wrote:

If you travel on a Polish passport, you will need to get a visa for a re-entry to the US.

are you sure? i have not been able to find that info anywhere and need to know for sure.

krysia wrote:

Try calling the embassy or write them a certified letter with your questions. They will answer letters. E-mails they don't always reply to.

nope, go in person. you won't get the full story. if you're in SE MI, the consulate will have an event there in the near future.

z_dariusThreads: 22 Posts: 5,091 Joined: Oct 18, 07 ♂	Jan 30, 08, 08:49 #18
If you are a legal US citizen, it's far easier and less complicated to get a US passport than a Polish one. When you return back to the US, you go through US citizens customs. If you travel on a Polish passport, you will need to get a visa for a re-entry to the US. A US citizen is not eligible to obtain a US visa.

EurolaThreads: 6 Posts: 2,647 Joined: Dec 2, 06 ♀	Feb 1, 08, 21:45 #19
I just wanted to complement the US government. I mailed my old passport for renewal on Jan 7 and today I received a brand new one with an eChip embedded on it. I thought I'll be waiting 'till March or so... All I need is a ticket now. Poland and France, here are come! :)

ninanais

Feb 29, 08, 19:07 #20

If for whatever reason you cannot obtain a Polish passport in the U.S. As a U.S. permanent resident you might be eligible to apply for American citizenship. American citizens may travel to Poland on their passports and stay there for 3 months without any visa. If you receive a Polish passport and are still an LPR, you will be able to come back to the U.S. on your "green card" as long as you come back within a year.

plk123Threads: 30 Posts: 6,412 Joined: Aug 29, 07 ♂	Feb 29, 08, 22:31 #21
ninanais wrote: you will be able to come back to the U.S. on your "green card" as long as you come back within a year. i think you need a visa to get back in if you're not a citizen.

EurolaThreads: 6 Posts: 2,647 Joined: Dec 2, 06 ♀	Feb 29, 08, 23:42 #22
plk123 wrote: i think you need a visa to get back in if you're not a citizen. Nope, you take both with you, a polish passport to go to Poland and a green card to re-enter the US. I did it in the 80's, before I had US Passport. No applying for visa (any visa) was required, even then.

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Mar 1, 08, 00:58 #23

I just renewed my Polish passport last week in NYC which had expired in 2006. It was very easy, and it cost me about $100 for everything including the photos, which were $29 for only four at this place close to the consulate. (Students receive a 50% discount.) In addition, I was able to get my PESEL and renew my passport at the same time. I got everything done in one trip. I'll receive my passport in 3-5 months by mail

slavThreads: - Posts: 2 Joined: Mar 3, 08 ♂	Mar 3, 08, 02:03 #24
Yes, all you need is a valid Polish passport, a valid green card and get back on time before your six months are up. You are only allowed to stay out of the US for six months after that time is up, you are on you own for none US citizens. When I went to NY to get my passport I had to have application and two photos, mine and my brothers were good but they told my parent to redo their photos.

martunia1977Threads: - Posts: 1 Joined: Mar 5, 08 ♀	Mar 5, 08, 23:28 #25
You have to be us citizen to get usa passport...if you not you have to have green card and polish passport..to make sure you wont have any problems coming back nor leaving

Sep 30, 08, 15:20 #26

All you have to do is to go to polish consul with polish birth certificate, PESEL number and current address (either on your ID or any bill with your name on it) you can eaither get temporary passport for a year (wait about a month) or wait 4 to 6 months and get one for 10 years. when you travel aboard the usa you need your polish passport and green card. on the way back stand in line for americans not foreigners.

loco polacoThreads: 3 Posts: 421 Joined: Aug 5, 08 ♂	Sep 30, 08, 15:35 #27
just green card won't let you back in from what i have been told. i've been told one would need a visa but i'll look into this again.

polishgirltx	Edited by: polishgirltx Sep 30, 08, 16:00 #28
plk123: i think you need a visa to get back in if you're not a citizen. visa or a green card (or a travel permit if you are in a process of getting a green card) plus a passport, of course...

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Oct 16, 08, 15:57 #29

Jeez, talk about lots of mis-information. Do you guys just post whatever you *think*?

OP is a green card holder, which requires a Polish passport & GC to enter & travel freely between US and Poland (YES JUST THOSE 2 ITEMS). Legal resident can not have a US passport until they become a citizen. So all the talk of visas, us passports is irrelevant & doesn't apply here.

If the Consulate in Chicago is where you fall in terms of what state you live in, then I recommend a visit in person. You will not get a straight story over the phone... if anyone ever answers your call that is.

You must have your original birth certificate, your pesel nr. If you have family in poland that could get you a copy of the EU version of the birth certificate then allow them to do it with a "pelnomocnictwo". Otherwise if the consulate has to verify all your info it will take up to 1 yr to get a passport.

Someone mentioned $100? Cheap! I paid a lot more than that for sure, and waited a good 4+hours in line. I heard they don't mail anyone's passports, you must pick them up in person. I got a postcard home saying my passport was ready for pickup downtown. You have to take this postcard with you, otherwise they send you home for it.

gtdThreads: 3 Posts: 875 Joined: Sep 8, 08 ♂	Edited by: gtd Oct 16, 08, 16:01 #30
Krakowianka: Jeez, talk about lots of mis-information. Do you guys just post whatever you think? Yes they do. Harry (a Brit expat) is the only person who has given me any valid information. Lots of the stuff being presented here as fact is nonsense. But one point...they DO mail passports. There aren't that many embassies and they cant expcet people to travel so far to collect it.

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