When there is an interview
You can show your knowledge of Polish with a document: a certificate, a school or university certificate from Poland or a certificate from a school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction (Art. 13 para. 7 of the Pole's Card Act). If you do not have such a document, your knowledge of the language is assessed by the consul or, for an application submitted in Poland, by the voivode, during an interview (Art. 13 para. 8).
What the interview checks
The rules require you to show a connection with Polishness (Art. 2 para. 1 point 1):
- knowledge of Polish at least at a basic level - a language you consider your mother tongue,
- knowledge and cultivation of Polish traditions and customs.
The Act does not give a list of questions or a form of the interview. Prepare for a free conversation in Polish about yourself, your family and the Polish traditions you cultivate.
Declaration of belonging
In the presence of the consul or voivode (or an appointed employee) you make a written declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation (Art. 2 para. 1 point 2). Without it you will not get the card.
Decision deadlines
After the application is entered in the register, the Head of the Internal Security Agency has 30 days to provide information on whether there are security obstacles (Art. 19a paras. 1 and 3). The consul or voivode issues a decision no later than 30 days after receiving this information or after the deadline for it expires (Art. 19a para. 4).
Refusal
A refusal decision can be appealed to the Council for Poles Abroad. You submit the appeal through the consul or voivode within 30 days of delivery of the decision (Art. 21). We do not write appeals, but we can explain the decision and help prepare a new application - see explanation of letters.