Documents, visas and offices
Passports, visas, Green Cards, citizenship and dealing with government offices, in Poland and abroad.
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Newest guides (44)
Polish Passport for a Child Born in the USA – Step by Step
A child born in the USA to a Polish parent is entitled to Polish citizenship from birth; this guide covers the registration of the birth certificate in Poland (USC), obtaining a PESEL number, applying for the first passport at the consulate, costs, timelines, and required documents.
Renew Green Card: Form I-90 Step by Step (2026)
Is your Green Card expiring? We explain when to file I-90 (at least 6 months before the expiration date), the costs (415 USD online, 465 USD by paper), how the I-797 confirmation extends proof of status by 36 months, and when I-751 or I-829 is needed instead of I-90.
Naturalization in the USA: N-400, Citizenship Test, and Costs (2026)
How to become a U.S. citizen: who can file N-400 after 5 years (3 in marriage to a U.S. citizen), continuous residence and physical presence, fees from G-1055 (10/16/26), 2025 test (20 questions from 128, passing 12), exceptions 50/20, 55/15, 65/20, and N-648, oath, and dual citizenship.
How to Check USCIS Case Status – Tools, Alerts, Escalation
Checking the status of a USCIS application: receipt number, online case status, myUSCIS account, email alerts, InfoPass, when to file a Congressional inquiry or Ombudsman.
Who is Who in American Immigration: USCIS, ICE, CBP, Department of State, and Immigration Courts – A Beginner's Guide (2026)
This guide explains which agency handles your immigration case in the USA, the typical process in USCIS (application, receipt number, biometrics, RFE, decision, appeal), how to track your status and change your address, who can legally assist you, and how to avoid scams, featuring an interactive flowchart.
Marriage Green Card (CR-1 / IR-1) Step by Step
Green Card for the spouse of a U.S. citizen when the marriage has already taken place: Adjustment of Status in the U.S. (I-130 with I-485) or CR-1/IR-1 visa through NVC and the embassy in Warsaw.
Polish Consulates in the USA, UK, and Germany – When to Visit, What Matters, Contact Information
A complete map of Polish consulates: USA (NY, Chicago, LA, Houston), UK (London, Manchester, Edinburgh), Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich). What matters you can resolve, booking through e-Konsulat, phone numbers, and duty hours.
Apostille from Poland to the USA and from the USA to Poland: where and how much (step by step)
This guide explains who issues apostilles in Poland (MSZ, NAWA, curator, OKE) and in the USA (the issuing state office, Department of State for federal documents, e.g., from the FBI), the fees involved, and common mistakes to avoid.
Sponsoring Parents for a Green Card as a U.S. Citizen (2026)
Only a U.S. citizen aged 21 or older can sponsor a parent, and this guide explains two pathways (NVC and embassy or I-485 in the U.S.), fees from G-1055, the I-864 threshold effective March 1, 2026 (for 2 people: $27,050), the intent rule upon entry, and when a Green Card may not be the best option for an elderly parent.
K-1 Visa (Fiancé) – Marriage to a U.S. Citizen Step by Step
The entire K-1 process: petition I-129F from the U.S. citizen fiancé, interview at the consulate, entry into the U.S., marriage within 90 days, status change to Green Card (AOS). Costs, timelines, documents.
Public Assistance in New York – Cash Assistance, HRA, who qualifies
Financial assistance in NYC: Cash Assistance, FA (Family Assistance), SNA (Safety Net), Emergency Assistance – criteria and application.
Food stamps (SNAP) in the USA: who qualifies and how to apply
Changes to SNAP in 2025: who among immigrants is eligible for the program, income limits, and benefits starting October 1, 2026 (for 4 people: up to $1,023), ruling from September 17, 2026, new public charge rule, work requirements, and step-by-step application process.
Tourist Visa in the USA Expires: I-94, I-539 Extension, Overstay, and 3/10 Year Bans (2026)
The legality of your stay is determined by the date on the I-94, not the visa's validity; ESTA has no extensions (emergency satisfactory departure for up to 30 days), while for B-2 you must file I-539 (470/420 USD) before the deadline, with over 180 days resulting in a 3-year ban and over a year leading to a 10-year ban, alongside changes in 2025 and 2026 regarding registration, ESTA fees, and asylum fees.
How long does it take to wait for a work permit (EAD) in the USA – USCIS processing times 2026
Processing times for I-765 in 2026: asylum, AOS, OPT, H-4. How to check status, automatic 540-day extension.
How to Obtain a Death Certificate from the USA for Matters in Poland
Apostille, sworn translation, registration in the Polish USC – a complete pathway for an American death certificate to be valid in Poland.
Tourist Visa to the USA 2026: ESTA or B1/B2 Step by Step
Poles can travel to the USA for 90 days without a visa, using ESTA for $40.62 (from October 16, 2026); when a B1/B2 visa is needed, its cost is $185, along with details on the DS-160 form and interviews in Warsaw or Krakow, as well as information on I-94 and the visa integrity fee.
Most Common Ways to Obtain a Green Card in the USA
The main pathways to a Green Card include family, employment (EB-1, EB-2 NIW, EB-3), investment EB-5, asylum, the DV lottery, and categories for victims of violence, with fees according to the USCIS price list from October 16, 2026, Visa Bulletin dates from October 2026, and a guide on where to start.
How to Get a Green Card in 2026 – A Guide for Poles
Real pathways to obtaining permanent residency in the USA in 2026: family, work, DV lottery, and more – costs, timelines, forms.
How Political Asylum Works in the USA: Form I-589, Fees, and Work Authorization
Who can obtain asylum in the USA, when to file I-589 with USCIS or in court, how the one-year deadline works, the costs associated with H.R. 1 (as of October 2026), and when one can receive work authorization and a Green Card.
Where and How to Obtain an SSN (Social Security Number) in the USA
The Social Security Number (SSN) is a required document for legal work, bank account opening, tax filing, and many other formalities in the USA.