BLS International, the outsourcing partner for Polish consulates in the Philippines, announced an emergency closure of its visa application centres in Manila and Cebu on 10 November due to government warnings over Tropical Cyclone Uwan. Services are expected to resume on 12 November.
Who is affected: Filipino seafarers and healthcare workers—the two largest applicant groups for Polish national (D-type) visas—face appointment cancellations during one of the year’s busiest migration windows. Charterers of cruise ships docking in Gdańsk report potential crew-change delays.
![Typhoon Uwan Shuts Polish Visa Centres in Manila and Cebu]()
Rescheduling guidance:
• Applicants must re-book online when new slots open; the embassy warns it has “no possibility to secure additional appointments.”
• All existing bookings for 10 November will be automatically voided; travellers should monitor the BLS appointment portal for 12–14 November slots.
• Document validity: medical certificates and NBI clearances expiring during the closure can be submitted up to 30 days later without penalty, per consular guidance.
Business implications: Polish employers in ship-building and elder-care rely on Filipino labour. Even a two-day shutdown can cascade into onboarding delays, so companies should adjust mobilisation timelines.
Wider lesson: The incident underscores the vulnerability of paper-based appointment systems in cyclone-prone regions. Poland’s move towards full e-visa filing—currently slated for pilot launch in 2026—could mitigate weather-related disruptions.
Who is affected: Filipino seafarers and healthcare workers—the two largest applicant groups for Polish national (D-type) visas—face appointment cancellations during one of the year’s busiest migration windows. Charterers of cruise ships docking in Gdańsk report potential crew-change delays.
Rescheduling guidance:
• Applicants must re-book online when new slots open; the embassy warns it has “no possibility to secure additional appointments.”
• All existing bookings for 10 November will be automatically voided; travellers should monitor the BLS appointment portal for 12–14 November slots.
• Document validity: medical certificates and NBI clearances expiring during the closure can be submitted up to 30 days later without penalty, per consular guidance.
Business implications: Polish employers in ship-building and elder-care rely on Filipino labour. Even a two-day shutdown can cascade into onboarding delays, so companies should adjust mobilisation timelines.
Wider lesson: The incident underscores the vulnerability of paper-based appointment systems in cyclone-prone regions. Poland’s move towards full e-visa filing—currently slated for pilot launch in 2026—could mitigate weather-related disruptions.
