Documents, visas and offices
Passports, visas, Green Cards, citizenship and dealing with government offices, in Poland and abroad.
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Renewing a Polish Passport in the USA – Consulate, Costs, Timelines, mObywatel (2026)
A Polish passport can only be renewed in the USA through the consulate – NOT through the embassy in Warsaw or online.
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.
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.
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.
PESEL Abroad: How to Obtain It Through the Polish Consulate in the USA (2026)
A Polish citizen living in the USA receives a PESEL when applying for a passport, while a person born abroad first needs a transcription of their birth certificate (costing 71 USD at the consulate); this guide explains when you already have a number, who is a citizen by birth, the costs involved, and how to secure your PESEL.
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.
Newest guides (44)
Selective Service in the USA: Who Must Register and Why Lack of Registration Blocks Citizenship (2026)
The obligation that many Polish families in the USA learn about only when applying for citizenship; who must register (including Green Card holders and undocumented individuals), when the obligation does not arise, USCIS age thresholds, the end of Status Information Letters, and automatic registration starting December 18, 2026.
Consular Assistance Worldwide: What a Polish Consul Can Do, Odyseusz, and Emergency Situations (2026)
The consul will issue a temporary passport, provide return assistance (repayment in 1–3 months), ensure the rights of the detained, and recommend lawyers, but will not pay bail or for the transportation of remains; additionally, there is a travel registry in Odyseusz, assistance from consulates of other EU countries, the EU temporary travel document, and fees effective from January 1, 2026 (passport 140 EUR).
How to Identify a Genuine Source in the USA: Verification of Agencies, Companies, Licenses, and Warning Lists (2026)
In 2025, Americans reported a record $15.9 billion in fraud losses, highlighting the importance of verifying official sources and avoiding scams targeting immigrants.
Official U.S. e-Services for the Polish Diaspora: my Social Security, IRS Account, USCIS, Login.gov, and ID.me (2026)
Duplicate SSN cards, IRS installment payments, and N-400 citizenship applications – all online. How Login.gov (requires SSN) and ID.me (also works from Poland) function, what has disappeared in 2026 (Direct File eliminated, Polish IRS pages removed), and where you can still receive service in Polish (SSA with free translators).
How to Obtain IDNYC – Free Identification for New York Residents
IDNYC is a free identification issued by the government for New York residents, regardless of immigration status. Learn how to obtain it, what documents are needed, and the benefits of having this ID.
Voting from the USA in Polish Elections: Voter Registration at the Consulate, Passport, and Deadlines
How a Polish citizen residing in the USA votes in elections to the Sejm and Senate, presidential elections, and the European Parliament: only in person at polling stations abroad, registration with the consulate by the 5th day before the elections (e-Voting), a valid passport, voting on Saturday.
Trusted Profile from Abroad: How to Set It Up from the USA (Bank, e-ID, Video, Consulate)
How to create a free trusted profile from the USA: through a Polish bank, using an e-ID with an NFC phone, via a video call with an official, or at the Polish consulate, requiring an American phone number, authorization codes, a validity of 3 years, and the differences between mObywatel and e-ID.
PESEL Abroad: How to Obtain It Through the Polish Consulate in the USA (2026)
A Polish citizen living in the USA receives a PESEL when applying for a passport, while a person born abroad first needs a transcription of their birth certificate (costing 71 USD at the consulate); this guide explains when you already have a number, who is a citizen by birth, the costs involved, and how to secure your PESEL.
Renewing a Polish Passport in the USA – Consulate, Costs, Timelines, mObywatel (2026)
A Polish passport can only be renewed in the USA through the consulate – NOT through the embassy in Warsaw or online.
Bringing a Parent to the USA: I-130 and IR-5 Green Card for a Parent (2026)
A parent can only be brought to the USA by a citizen who is at least 21 years old; this article explains the I-130 petition (625/675 USD), the process through NVC and the embassy or I-485 in the USA, fees from G-1055 (10/16/2026), I-864 thresholds from 3/1/2026 (2 persons: 27,050 USD), public charge from 9/18/2026, and Medicaid and Medicare for the parent after arrival.
Removal proceedings / Immigration Court (EOIR) – rights, procedure, how to defend yourself
Have you received a Notice to Appear (NTA) or are you in immigration court? A comprehensive guide: what EOIR is, NTA, master calendar hearing vs individual hearing, forms of defense (asylum, cancellation, adjustment, voluntary departure), when to FIND a lawyer (always!), rights, written review, appeal BIA.
U.S. Citizenship Test – 100 USCIS Questions, Study Materials, Strategies
The civics test for naturalization consists of 10 out of 100 questions – a minimum of 6 correct answers is required. This dedicated study guide includes the complete list of 100 USCIS questions and answers, materials (PDF in Polish, apps, audio), test strategies (which questions have variable answers), age exemptions, and tips for practicing with a native English speaker.
ICE: what to do during a check and detention. Your constitutional rights, consulate assistance, and preparation (2026)
The U.S. Constitution protects everyone, including those without status: you can remain silent, do not open doors without a judge's warrant (I-200 and I-205 are not), and do not sign anything without a lawyer. When a Polish person without a Green Card is detained, U.S. authorities notify the consulate. This includes foreign registration, ESTA, bail, and a quick cheat sheet.
Deportation from the USA – Your Rights, Defense Options, What Happens Step by Step
Facing deportation? A comprehensive guide covering deportation vs removal vs expedited removal, ICE priorities, constitutional rights (4th and 5th Amendments), defense options, deportation from detention vs outside, life after deportation, bans (5/10/20 years / lifetime), and waiver of inadmissibility.
Family Sponsorship to the USA: Who Can Sponsor, Form I-130, Visa Bulletin
A U.S. citizen and Green Card holder can file an I-130 for family members; this article explains the IR and F1–F4 categories with statutory limits, how to read the Visa Bulletin (Poland: All Chargeability), fees effective October 16, 2026, I-864 thresholds from March 1, 2026, and two pathways: in the USA and through the consulate.
How to Find a Good Immigration Lawyer in the USA – Comparison, Costs, Red Flags
An immigration lawyer can make or break your case; this comprehensive guide covers where to look (AILA, Polish community offices), what questions to ask, typical costs per case, red flags (notarios, guarantees of results, cash only), the difference between lawyer vs notario vs paralegal, and pro bono options for low-income individuals.
USCIS Interview: What to Bring, How to Behave, and What Happens Next
A general guide to the USCIS interview for I-485, N-400, I-751, and asylum: when the interview occurs, what to bring, the right to an attorney and interpreter (G-1256), the 2025 citizenship test (20 out of 128 questions, 12 correct), exemptions 50/20 and 55/15, and post-interview outcomes like RFE, NOID, denial, and deadlines.
Lost, Stolen, or Destroyed Green Card: How to Recover It Using Form I-90
Lost or destroyed green card? Your status remains intact; you can order a new card using Form I-90 (415 USD online, 465 USD by mail, no separate biometrics fee). We explain the reasons and documents needed, ADIT stamp, travel, I-131A abroad, and when to use I-751 or I-829 instead of I-90.
ESTA or Tourist Visa to the USA: Differences, Who Can Use It, What to Choose
Poles have been traveling to the USA without a visa since November 11, 2019. We compare ESTA (90 days, $40.62 from October 16, 2026, no extensions) with the B-1/B-2 visa ($185, interview in Warsaw or Krakow, up to 6 months). Who cannot get ESTA (countries since 2011, Cuba since 2021, dual citizenship), how to apply, and what to do after a denial.
Advance Parole: Traveling from the USA During the Green Card Process (Form I-131)
Waiting for your Green Card (I-485)? Traveling without Advance Parole usually results in your case being abandoned; we explain who needs AP, current fees as of October 16, 2026 (I-131 is not free with I-485 from April 2024), emergency situations, and an important change from August 2026 regarding the 3 and 10-year re-entry bans.
Marriage Green Card Interview – Questions, Process, How to Prepare
The USCIS interview for a Marriage Green Card is a CRUCIAL moment in the process, providing a complete guide on duration (15-90 min), what to bring, typical questions (daily life, finances, intimacy), Stokes interview (separate rooms), fraud red flags, how to prepare with your spouse, and what to do after the decision.
Biometrics appointment in the USA – what to expect, what to bring, how long it lasts
A biometrics appointment is a standard step in almost every USCIS case (Green Card, naturalization, EAD). Full guide: what it entails (fingerprints + photo + signature), where it takes place (ASC), what to bring, how long it lasts (~15 min), what to do after the visit, how to reschedule, and when biometrics can be reused.
USCIS Online Account: How to Create It Step by Step (2026)
Free account at my.uscis.gov: registration, mandatory verification code, 5 security questions, linking paper case with receipt number, online forms and fees from G-1055 (10/16/26), address change within 10 days, Contact Center, and fraud protection.
Lost or Stolen Polish Passport in the USA: Reporting, New Passport, and Temporary Passport
Have you lost your Polish passport in the USA? Learn how to report the loss via gov.pl or at the consulate, which consulate serves your state, the costs for a new and temporary passport (rates effective January 1, 2026), and how to return to the USA with a Green Card, ESTA, or visa.