December 2003 issue

Christmas and New Year are major family holidays, especially in Poland, and American citizens residing in this country might be expecting holiday arrivals. Other Americans living here may be planning holiday travel. Here are a few reminders:

Make Sure Your Passport Is Valid! Poland does not admit you if your passport is expired. Your passport should be valid for at least six months after your entry date. If it’s not, it’s time to come into the Embassy and renew it. (New U.S. passports are now produced only in the United States, so they usually take 7-10 days to obtain.) The American Citizens Services unit of the embassy is open on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 AM until 3:00 PM.

Get the Visas You Need! Some countries (including Belarus, Russia and Ukraine) require Americans to have visas. Processing times vary and can be lengthy. Apply now!

If You Are a Dual National, You Need a Polish Passport! If you are (or can be considered) both an American and Polish citizen, you must enter and leave Poland on a Polish passport (just as you must enter and leave the U.S. on an American passport). If you have a Polish passport, check its validity. If you don’t have one, check if you need one.

Planning to Drive? Get an International Driving Permit! An American state driver’s license is NOT enough to drive in Poland. You also need an International Driving Permit (cost $10). Contact: AAA Fair Oaks Service Center, 12600 Fair Lakes Circle, Fairfax, VA 22033 (telephone 703-222-4200).

Don’t Drink and Drive! Holidays are traditionally a time to enjoy food and drink, but driving under the influence of alcohol in Poland is punishable by a fine and/or up to two years’ imprisonment.

Drive with Your Lights On! Polish traffic rules require use of headlights while driving in the wintertime.

Drive Safely! Poland’s mostly narrow roads are not well-adapted to the volume of traffic even in good conditions, much less in snow, sleet or rain. Relax, slow down and get there alive!

Watch Your Surroundings! Both in big cities and small towns, flashing large amounts of money or jewelry is an invitation to be relieved of it.

If You’re Planning to Work, You Need a Plan! American tourists visiting Poland cannot work. If you plan on taking up a job (including English teaching) you will in most cases need a work visa and these can only be obtained at the Polish Consulate serving your home residence. A New Jerseyan, for example, must get a work visa in New York, not Prague or Berlin. If work is in your plans, plan before your arrive.

Bringing Burek: If you want to bring your dog or cat to Poland, you need an official veterinary certificate, proof your animal was vaccinated against rabies no less than one nor more than six months earlier, and was seen by a veterinarian within 72 hours before arriving in Poland. Check http://www.polandembassy.org/Links/consular/pets.htm for specific details.

Antiques: Be careful what you buy! You may like antiques but if that artifact was made before 1945, it may not be exportable without special permits.

Plan Your Trip: Remember, Poles like to celebrate the holidays, too! Most Poles celebrate Christmas and New Year close to home, so public transportation (including inter-city trains and buses) often run less rather than more frequently during the holidays. Check your travel schedules!