The passport point at the Warsaw Chopin Airport has issued 14,850 temporary passports since its launch on April 20, 2023, the Polish authorities have revealed.
July and August were the busiest months of 2023, with 1,894 and 1,846 temporary documents issued, respectively, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
Meanwhile, January 12, 2024, emerged as the record day when authorities granted 131 temporary passports, according to the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration.
As further revealed, Great Britain, Egypt, Türkiye, Italy, and Spain emerged as the most common destinations with a temporary passport.
It’s been a year! The passport point of the Ministry of Interior and Administration at the Warsaw airport celebrates its first anniversary (April 20 this year). During this time, exactly 14,850 people took advantage of the opportunity to quickly obtain a temporary passport.
When Can Citizens Obtain a Temporary Passport at Warsaw Airport?
In cases where travellers lose or forget their passports or ID cards or their passport is stolen, authorities issue a temporary passport. In this instance, travellers can obtain a temporary document at the Passport Point within the Warsaw Chopin Airport.
The ministry further noted there are often touching stories of urgent trips abroad, such as visits to family.
Thanks to the temporary passport available at the airport, one of the travellers was able to visit his newborn grandson. Another interesting story is obtaining a passport for a person from the Polish national football team.
Temporary Passport at Warsaw Airport Point Costs €7
To obtain a temporary passport at the Warsaw Airport point, individuals must pay a fee of PLN 30 (approximately €7).
When submitting the application for such a document, individuals must present a valid airline ticket. Personnel at the designated point check the applicants’ identity and take a necessary photograph for document issuance. Meanwhile, consent from both parents is required when a temporary passport is issued for children.
The passport point, along with an info kiosk, is located within Terminal A, a public area at the Warsaw Airport, and individuals can receive such a service from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 20:00.
Polish Passport Ranks Among 20 Most Powerful Passports Worldwide
As of April 2024, the Polish passport ranks 20th among the most powerful passports, according to VisaGuide.World Passport Index.
Henceforth, citizens holding such a passport can travel visa-free to 155 countries and territories, including 43 passport-free countries.
On the other hand, Polish passport holders must obtain a traditional visa to travel to 19 different countries worldwide.