Tourist Visa to the USA 2026 — Step by Step
Do you need a B1/B2 visa or is ESTA sufficient? Procedure, costs, DS-160 form, and what to do in case of denial.
🇺🇸 USA Guide: Immigration and paperwork
Practical guides on "Immigration and paperwork". Plain language, with examples for the Polish community in the USA.
How to Open a Bank Account in the USA Without an SSN
Account without SSN — ITIN, PSFCU (Polish bank), Chase, BoA, Wells Fargo. Step by step with a passport.
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.
Tourist Visa in the USA Expires — What to Do (Overstay, I-539, Options)
B-2/I-94 visa expiration — options: I-539 extension, status change, departure. Consequences of overstay (3 and 10-year bans).
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.
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.
Profil zaufany z zagranicy — jak założyć z USA (mObywatel, bank, konsulat)
Profil zaufany (epuap) to cyfrowy klucz do polskich e-usług państwowych — wymagany do większości online spraw urzędowych (US-Skarbowy, ZUS, Urząd Gminy, sądy, NFZ). Z zagranicy 3 główne metody założenia: (1) przez polski bank online jeśli masz konto (najszybsza, 5-10 min), (2) przez aplikację mObywatel z polskim dowodem osobistym (online, ~15 min), (3) osobiście w polskim konsulacie w USA (wizyta, free). Wymagania: PESEL, polski paszport lub dowód osobisty, polski numer telefonu lub adres email. Po założeniu — ważny bezterminowo (with periodic security extension). Daje dostęp do: ePUAP, IKP (zdrowotne), e-Urząd Skarbowy, ZUS PUE, Krajowa Administracja Skarbowa, Urząd Stanu Cywilnego online, eRecepta. Kluczowe dla polskiego biznesu z USA — bez profilu zaufanego prawie nic online nie zrobisz.
FinCEN Form 105 — Step by Step: How to Complete the Report on Currency and Monetary Instruments
Learn how to correctly fill out FinCEN Form 105 to avoid mistakes and penalties; our step-by-step guide will help you understand each element of the form and who needs to submit it.
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.
First 30 Days in the USA — Checklist for New Immigrants
Just arrived in the USA? A complete checklist for your first month: SSN, driver's license, bank account, housing, health insurance, phone, work, and Polish community spots in your city, step by step.
Civil Asset Forfeiture in the USA — What You Need to Know
Learn how civil asset forfeiture laws work in the USA, the differences between civil and criminal forfeiture, and how you can defend against unjust property seizure.
Do children have a separate $10,000 limit at the U.S. border? NO — explanation
The most common myth in the Polish community: each child has their own $10,000 limit. FALSE — the limit applies to the entire family collectively. What CBP says, why splitting is structuring (up to 5 years in prison).
How Much Cash Can You Bring Across the U.S. Border? A Guide to Regulations
Planning a trip to the U.S. and wondering how much cash you can take with you? Learn about the rules regarding cash transportation and the potential consequences of improper reporting.
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.
Apostille — from Poland to the USA and from the USA to Poland (step by step)
An apostille is an international certification of documents; learn how to obtain it in Poland (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice) and in the USA (Secretary of State of the state), including time, costs, where to apply, and when it is needed.
What Happens If You Don't Declare Money When Entering the USA?
Failing to declare money when entering the USA can lead to serious consequences, including cash confiscation by CBP and potential criminal charges. Learn about the real implications for travelers.
How to Legally Transport Large Sums of Money: A Practical Guide
Planning a trip and want to transport a large sum of money? Learn how to do it legally to avoid issues at the border with these best practices regarding transfers, traveler's checks, and documentation.
How to Avoid Immigration Scams: Fake Lawyers and Green Cards
Learn how to identify fake immigration lawyers and avoid scams related to documents and Green Cards, including how to verify lawyers and report abuses.
Lost / Stolen Polish Passport in the USA — Step by Step
Have you lost your Polish passport in the USA? Step by step: report the theft (USA police + Polish system), apply for a new passport at the consulate, temporary 1-year passport, costs $40-130, time 1-3 weeks, emergency travel to Poland.
How to Recover Money Taken by CBP: A Guide to the Process
Recovering money taken by CBP can be complicated; learn how to effectively file for remission and the steps to take to increase your chances of success.
Podróż z gotówką wewnątrz USA — civil asset forfeiture, jak się bronić, jak odzyskać
TSA, DEA, policja stanowa mogą zająć Twoją legalną gotówkę bez zarzutów karnych. Co mówić, czego nie podpisywać (Disclaimer of Interest), jak złożyć Judicial Claim, jak chronić pieniądze przed zajęciem.
Voting from Abroad in Polish Elections from the USA — Consulate, Registration, Deadlines
Polish citizens in the USA can vote in Polish elections (Presidential, Parliamentary, Senate, European Parliament, referendums) only IN PERSON at the Polish consulate or embassy; mail-in voting from the USA is NOT available (it was abolished in 2023 for most voters abroad).
Bringing a Parent to the USA — I-130, IR-5 Green Card for Parent (2026)
A U.S. citizen aged 21 or older can bring a parent to the USA through an I-130 petition + IR-5 visa (or Adjustment of Status if the parent is already legally in the USA), with no visa cap or preference queue, typically taking 12-24 months for the entire process.
PESEL za granicą — jak wyrobić w konsulacie RP w USA (procedura 2026)
PESEL (Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludności) to 11-cyfrowy numer identyfikujący każdego polskiego obywatela. Wymagany do paszportu, profilu zaufanego, ZUS, NFZ, sprzedaży/kupna nieruchomości, spadku, urzędowej komunikacji. Polonia urodzona za granicą lub bez PESEL może aplikować w polskim konsulacie w USA. Wymagane dokumenty: akt urodzenia (z PL lub transkrybowany z USA), paszport polski lub dowód obywatelstwa, akt małżeństwa (jeśli zmienione nazwisko). Bezpłatne. Wniosek przez konsulat do MSW w PL. Czas: 4-12 tygodni. Dzieci urodzone w USA z polskim rodzicem — także mogą dostać PESEL po transkrypcji aktu urodzenia. Bez PESEL nie można większości spraw zalatwić w PL z zagranicy.