How to get a visa for my Ukrainian wife?

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Edited by: BeatRippa Jul 10, 11, 13:19 #1

Hi everybody,

I've been reading this forum for a while, and I hope to become an active member once I move to Krakow next month :) I'm an American and I've just signed a job contract in Krakow. I'll be moving there in August 2011 from Ukraine, and I already have a flat in Krakow.

I have a Ukrainian wife, but we're having trouble finding a way to allow her to come with me. The consulate in Kharkiv said that she needed an invitation from the Urzad Wojewodzki, but my employer is not willing to go through this process since they don't have a contract with her. They said it was very time consuming and was a difficult process. Do you know of any other way to get her to Poland??

As of now, I have the following documents:

- My job contract (in English)
- My flat contract (in Polish and English), my wife's name is in the contract allowing her to stay at the flat
-Receipts from the bank showing that I've paid for the flat (the deposit and next month's rent)
-A letter from my employer stating my job status and salary (in Polish)

If it comes down to it, maybe I could sign her up for some Polish courses and get a study visa or something. Any ideas?? I'd appreciate your input. Thanks! Jeff

warszawskiThreads: 60 Posts: 2,389 Joined: May 21, 10 ♂	Jul 10, 11, 13:29 #2
BeatRippa: I'm an American What about your legal status as an American working in Poland?

BeatRippaThreads: 1 Posts: 2 Joined: Apr 20, 11 ♂	Edited by: BeatRippa Jul 10, 11, 13:41 #3
My employer will start the work permit process once I get there in August, but I'm not sure how long it will take and I don't want to leave her behind.

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Jul 10, 11, 14:28 #4

BeatRippa:

My employer will start the work permit process once I get there in August

In general, anywhere you go to live (and work) she can go to. your wife will require a NON EU spouse visa, which will be based on your residence status in Poland. Obviously your intention, based on the information provided, is to enter Poland on a tourist visa as a NON EU citizen, start work and apply for your papers.

BeatRippaThreads: 1 Posts: 2 Joined: Apr 20, 11 ♂	Edited by: BeatRippa Jul 10, 11, 15:18 #5
You're right, although I won't start work until the end of September. My employer won't start the work permit process until I'm in Poland, so that's why I'm going a bit early in August. Are you saying that there's no way for her to come with me until I get my residency card?

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended]	Jul 10, 11, 15:26 #6
BeatRippa: Are you saying that there's no way for her to come with me until I get my residency card? Exactly. You might be able to get a student visa for her, but it's by no means certain - I've heard word of bribes of up to 500 euro being demanded in Ukraine for a Polish student visa.

NathanThreads: 33 Posts: 1,846 Joined: Feb 13, 09 ♂	Jul 10, 11, 16:00 #7
BeatRippa: Are you saying that there's no way for her to come with me until I get my residency card? What about a general tourist visa for 90 days and then the status may be updated to the more appropriate one when you get the job?

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended]	Jul 10, 11, 16:14 #8
Nathan: What about a general tourist visa for 90 days and then the status may be updated to the more appropriate one when you get the job? As I recall - Poland doesn't allow the "upgrading" of the visa from within - she'll have to go back to Kyiv to upgrade it.

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Edited by: warszawski Jul 10, 11, 16:14 #9

Nathan:

What about a general tourist visa for 90 days and then the status may be updated to the more appropriate one when you get the job?

Hi Nathan, you may be more informed as a Ukrainian, I would guess, she could enter PL as a tourist (90 day visa) which would be her status as she is not working or studying. Then when the OP receives his residency card ( based on work contract) she would have to apply from the Ukraine for a spouse Visa.

Delph, how long does it takes these days for a " NON EU" residency card based on work contract?

delphiandomineThreads: 42 Posts: 9,954 Joined: Nov 25, 08 ♂ [Suspended]	Jul 10, 11, 16:17 #10
warszawski: Delph, how long does it takes these days for a " NON EU" residency card based on work contract? 45 days by law, but often much quicker - 3-4 weeks seems to be about normal if there's no fuss. Depends on nationality though - I know Africans have frequently far more trouble than Americans, for instance.

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