Rafał Wiśniewski is a graduate of the Faculty of Modern Languages at the University of Warsaw. Before 1990, he published articles and translations in independent media and in underground publications, whilst also collaborating with democratic opposition circles in Poland and Hungary. Until 1991, he worked at, amongst others, the University of Warsaw and the Centre for International Studies at the Senate of the Republic of Poland.

He began his career in the Polish diplomatic service in 1991. In 1998, he was appointed Special Representative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs for the promotion of Polish culture, and subsequently served as Director responsible for coordinating activities relating to the promotion of Poland, foreign information policy, and cultural and scientific cooperation (1998–2001). He was involved in establishing a network of Polish Institutes, including branches in Kyiv, New York, Bucharest, Tel Aviv, and Saint Petersburg.

As an ambassador, he headed two missions: in Budapest (2001–2005) and in Copenhagen (2010–2015).

Between 2005 and 2007, he served as Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with responsibility for development and economic cooperation, as well as public and cultural diplomacy.

He held the post of Director-General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on two occasions (2007–2010, 2023–2026), whilst also serving as Head of the Foreign Service (2023–2026).