Student Visa for Poland

Complete information on how to get a student visa for Poland, including all the paperwork you need, how to apply, and frequently asked questions.

One of Europe's most reputable and superior educational systems is found in Poland. Polish universities are renowned for the high caliber of education they offer because of their extremely strict application requirements.

You may require a Poland student visa if you are an international student wishing to begin your studies there.

Is a Visa Required for Studying in Poland?

You must obtain a student visa at the closest Polish embassy or consulate if you are a non-citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. To prolong your stay, you must apply for a temporary residence permit after arriving in Poland, ideally 45 days beforehand.

If you want to study in Poland for more than three months and you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, all you need to do is register for your stay. This is so that citizens who have a "laissez-passer" do not need visas.

Remember: With your student visa, you are only permitted to live and study in Poland.

Where Can I Apply for a Student Visa for Poland?

You can apply for a Poland visa at one of the following locations, depending on where you live:

• the Polish consulate or embassy in your nation.
• the adjacent nation's consulate or embassy for Poland.
• the embassy or consulate of a different Schengen nation to whom Poland has contracted the processing of visa applications.
• The Polish embassy has contracted with a private visa application center or agency to provide visa submission services.

You can find Poland’s missions abroad (embassies and consulates) here.

Process for Applying for Student Visas in Poland

To apply for a student visa to Poland, you must do the following:

1. Find the nearest Polish consulate or embassy to set up an appointment. You can set up an appointment through the e-Konsulat website of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
2. Complete the application form through the E-Konsulat website. Along with setting up your appointment, you can also complete the application form through the e-Konsulat website.
3. Collect the required documents. There is a set of documents that support your visa application, such as your letter of acceptance to the university. See the full list of documents under “Supporting Documents” below.
4. Submit the application in person at the Polish embassy or consulate. Once you have your documents, you must submit them in person on the date of your appointment.
5. Attend the visa interview if it is required. Some embassies may require a visa interview, to get to know you and determine whether you should receive a visa.
6. Wait for the decision. Once your application has been submitted, you just need to wait to hear a decision. The embassy will notify you how long it will take; usually 15 days.

Application Supporting Documents for a Poland Student Visa

The required documents for a Poland visa application are:

• Two Poland visa application forms. You can complete the application form on the E-Konsulat website.
• Two passport-sized photos of yourself. The photos must follow Poland visa photo guidelines.
• Your passport. It must be valid for at least three months after the return date and you should provide additional copies of your passport pages.
• Health insurance. Prior health insurance is important to cover you for at least the initial part of your trip until you set up long-term student health insurance in Poland.
• Proof of accommodation. You must prove that you have a place to live in, like dorms or student apartments.
• Proof of sufficient funds. This is necessary because you need to be able to provide for your stay in Poland.
• A university acceptance letter. The letter has to be official and signed by the Polish university you applied for, and it should state your name, type of study, and the length of your studies.
• An invitation letter. If you can not reach a dormitory contract or rental agreement for your accommodation during your stay in Poland, you can apply for your visa with an invitation letter. The invitation letter needs to be written by a guarantor, and it should state that they will be able to provide for your stay during your studies in Poland.
• Document proving your English or Polish language proficiency level*. To start your studies in a Poland university, you must prove your English or Polish language proficiency level. You can submit this proof in the form of a diploma or academic certificate. Your certificates can not be older than three years.
• Scholarship document (if applicable). Proof that you have obtained a scholarship for your studies in Poland will help you with your financial insurance. The scholarship has to cover a minimum of €631 per month for it to be considered a valid document for your visa application.
• Proof of your relationship status. If you are married, you must submit your marriage certificate.
• Proof of your flight date and time. You can submit the flight ticket as proof.
• Paid visa fee receipt. The receipt is given to you after paying the long-stay visa fee.

*Note: You do not have to prove your English language proficiency level if English is your native language.

How much time does it take to obtain a student visa for Poland?

After submitting your application, it could take up to 15 days for your Poland student visa to be processed. You should apply for your Poland student visa as soon as you can, but no later than three months before the start of your enrolment period, once you have received the university's letter of admission. The processing period for your student visa application may be increased if you submit it in the summertime.

How long can I stay in Poland on a student visa?

You can stay in Poland for up to 3 months with a Schengen visa and one year with a national student visa.

International students that want to stay in Poland for longer than three months need to get the TRP (Temporary Residence Permit). The first time you apply for a permit, you can stay in Poland for your studies for an additional two years.

Please be aware that due to a large number of applicants, you will have to wait 8-10 months for your Temporary Residence Permit to process.

Can I Use My Student Visa to Work in Poland?

If you have residence permission, you may work in Poland while on a student visa. You are allowed to work full-time during breaks and part-time (20 hours per week) while you are in school. However, as it is essential for your student visa, it is encouraged that you prioritize your education over your job. Failure to do well on your examinations and complete each semester on schedule could prevent your visa from being renewed.

Is it simple for students to find employment in Poland?

Yes, thanks to recent Polish government legislation, finding a part-time job as a student is comparatively simple. To work in Poland as an international student, all you need is a temporary residency visa.

Can I bring my family with me?

If they apply for a residence permit as an accompanying family member, your family may go with you to Poland. To demonstrate that you can support the visiting family member, you must give evidence of your consistent and reliable income. As long as you also obtain a temporary residence permit, your family is also permitted to work and study in Poland while you are on your student visa.

Can I extend my student visa to Poland?

You can use a student visa for as long as your course of study lasts, yes. To continue studying in Poland after your student visa expires, you must apply for a temporary residence permit. Returning home and reapplying for a visa is an additional option. You will be required to reapply for the temporary residence permit when it expires because there is no way to extend it.

After I Graduate, How Do I Stay in Poland?

After graduation, you will need to work if you choose to remain in Poland. After graduating from a Polish university, you must submit an application for a residence permit in order to live and work in Poland. You only need to update your stay permit if you're a citizen of an EU/EEA nation or Switzerland.

How To Get Permanent Residence In Poland After Student Visa?

If you are an international student with a stable and regular income and have resided in Poland for four years continuously with a temporary residence permit, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

You will be issued a residence card that is valid for ten years. This means that you need to replace the residence card every ten years. However, you do not need to re-apply for the residence card; this is just an update of your residence.

The permanent residence permit will allow you to work in Poland without applying for additional work permits.

Health Insurance for Students in Poland

As an international student in Poland, you can sign an insurance agreement with the Polish Health National Fund (NFZ – Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia) or with a private health insurance company. To obtain health insurance with the NFZ, you have to present the following documents

• Your passport, which shows your current visa or residence permit
• Your registration of residence
• Confirmation of student status (issued by your university)

If you opt for private insurance, you can sign an agreement with a local company in Poland or with an international health insurance provider.

If you do not obtain any sort of health insurance for students, then you will have to pay out of pocket for all medical treatment you receive in Poland.

At Study in Poland ThinkNew, we support you with:

All our study Poland consultants are professionally certified and many have been international students themselves. Your assigned international education expert will work through all the details and processes to make sure you will have the best possible fit for your future university and your area of study.

Connect with a Study in Poland ThinkNew Expert

You may either call us at +48 729 650 461  or WhatsApp at +48 579 253 588. It is available for you whether you are in your home country, traveling abroad, or already in Poland. You can deal with all the formalities online, via mail, or by. You may also book an appointment online.

Our support does not end with your acceptance letter. We will be there to assist you even after you reach your new country. Come, see us – It’s free!

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