For Indian Students

Applying for a Poland student visa? Here’s help!

Poland is a country steeped in history and can be your ideal study abroad destination. The country has more than 450 higher education institutes offering courses in a range of subjects. Students from over 150 countries have made Poland their study abroad destination.

The universities here follow the Bologna system like other European nations.

 Language  Requirement to Study in Poland 

Though international students can enroll in courses taught in English, it is beneficial if they learn the Polish language. This will help them communicate with the local community and get familiar with the local culture.

Tuition Fees and Living Costs 

Tuition fees in Poland starting from 1700 Euros in a year. Accommodation costs like rental rates are reasonable. Living costs that include food, transportation, and social activities are on the lower side here compared to other European countries.

Student Visa Requirements

Non-EU nationals require a student visa to study here. The visa is valid for a period of three months. In order to extend their stay students must apply for a residence permit at least 45 days before their visa expires.

The residence permit is issued for 15 months. You can extend it for a period of up to three years, but it cannot extend beyond the duration of your course.

Working While You Study 

Students from non-EU countries can work here during their course.

You can work part-time and finance your stay in Poland by working part-time.

However, having a valid residency permit to operate would be advantageous. That is required to study in Poland, so you would be able to work part-time.

Documents Required Including :

  • Valid passport
  • Completed visa application form
  • 2 passport size photos
  • Medical insurance that is valid in Europe
  • Proof of having the required financial resources to cover your educational and living expenses during your course of study
  • Certificate of acceptance from the educational institution in Poland
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Receipt of payment of tuition fees for the first semester
  • Receipt of payment of the visa application fees

Steps to study abroad in Poland :

Step 1:

Research Your Options:

Before you shortlist the universities, decide what you want to study, where you want to live, overall cost, various opportunities, etc.

Step 2:

Select Universities:

Shortlist the universities (about 10 universities should do) & study programs that meet your requirements and you want to apply for.

Step 3:

Prepare for entrance exams:

Prepare for standardized tests like TOEFL/GRE/GMAT/IELTS etc. based on the requirements of the universities & colleges. Register for these tests in advance. While applying for the tests you should also plan for the time required in case you need to retake the test. You should complete these tests before September of the year you wish to apply.

Step 4:

Finance your studies:

Ensure that you have the money ready for your entire period of study in Poland along with accommodation, local travel, food, and other miscellaneous expenses. Decide on how you will finance your studies – personal savings, education loans, student scholarships, or assistantship.

Step 5:

Apply to university:

Contact each university directly for the admission requirements. Every university has its own admission requirements. Complete the applications well before deadlines and send them.

Step 6:

Confirm admission:

Once you get your acceptance letters from the universities that you have applied to, choose the university you would like to study at. The next step is to pay a non-refundable deposit to the university to confirm your admission.

Step 7:

Get Student Visa:

Once you get admission confirmation done, you can apply for your student visa.

Study in Poland ThinkNew Help You?

  • Provide guidance on the required documentation
  • Advice on the funds that need to be shown
  • Help in filling out the application forms
  • Help in reviewing your documents for the visa application

Visas - general information

Before you apply, you must decide which visa you need:

Airport transit Schengen visa (A-Type)

choose this visa type if you plan to pass through an international transit area of a Schengen airport travelling with a passport of one of these states:  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.

Schengen visa (C-Type)

Choose this visa if you plan to stay in Poland or other Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days in each 180-day period of time. This means that you are allowed to stay in the Schengen zone legally only if your stay in Schengen countries did not exceed 90 days over the last 180 days. A special calculator on the European Commission’s website  Na stronie Komisji Europejskiej will help you count how long you can stay in Schengen countries.

You can apply for a Schengen visa in a Polish diplomatic mission if:

  • Poland is the only destination country of your visit to the Schengen zone;
  • you visit more than one Schengen country, but Poland is your main destination;
  • you do not know which Schengen country will be your main destination, but you cross the Schengen border for the first time in Poland.

In exceptional cases it is possible to issue a Schengen LTV visa which is valid only in the territory of selected Schengen states.

National visa (D-Type)

Choose this visa if you want to stay in Poland for more than 90 days. The validity of a national visa cannot exceed one year. You also need to apply for a national visa if you seek asylum, repatriation, or if you use Polish Card privileges.

Simplified Visa procedure for family members of EU citizens

Who is eligible:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The procedure only applies to EU citizens who move to or reside in another EU Member State than the one of which they are nationals, and it applies to their family members who accompany or join them. This procedure applies only to family members of EU nationals who do not have Polish citizenship or do not have a permanent residence in Poland. 

EU nationals include:

  • nationals of EU member states,
  • nationals of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

A family member of an EU national is:

  • a spouse,
  • a partner with whom an EU national formed a partnership under the law of a given EU state, provided that this country’s law recognizes a formal partnership as equal to a marriage,
  • a child under 21 who is dependent on an EU national, his/her spouse or partner.

Under the procedure you are eligible to submit your visa application:

  • free of charge,
  • without prior appointment.

Required documents:

  • A printed and signed visa application,
  • A recent photo in colour 35 x 45 mm size,
  • A valid passport,
  • A document confirming marriage or partnership with an EU national,
  • A document confirming that you accompany an EU national in his/her journey or join him/her in their place of residence.

Visa refusal:

You can have your visa application refused only if:

  • your data are in the register of foreigners whose stay on the Polish territory is undesirable,
  • visa authorities have considered that your stay might pose a threat to national defence or national security or to the protection of public safety, order and health.

A consul refuses a visa in the form of a decision. You can appeal against the refusal to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Biometric data

When you apply for a visa, you have to provide your biometric data: a photo in the case of a national visa and a photo and fingerprints in the case of a Schengen visa.

If you have already applied for a Schengen visa in the recent 59 months and if you have given your fingerprints, you do not have to give them again – the system will automatically transfer your data.

The following applicants do not have to give their fingerprints:

  • children under 12;
  • persons who are physically unable to give their fingerprints (because they do not have fingers or they suffer from a temporary finger trauma); 
  • heads of states or governments, members of national governments and their accompanying spouses and members of official delegations if they are invited for official purposes;
  • monarchs and high-ranking members of royal families, if they are invited for official purposes.

Sources:  https://www.gov.pl/web/india/visas---general-information

Public consultations - digitalisation of visa procedures

Participate in the European Commission’s consultations on the digitalisation of the visa process.

The European Commission would like to hear your opinions.

Through public consultations you can express your views on aspects of the EU laws and policies before the Commission finalises its proposals.

The aim of the consultations is to obtain the opinions of citizens and stakeholders on the envisaged initiative, in particular on the usefulness of an online application process and the EU/national application portal, as well as the replacement of a visa sticker with a digital visa.

Participate in the European Commission’s consultation on the digitalisation of the visa process.

There are two ways to apply for this visa:

 

  1. 1. Directly at a consular office.
  2. 2. At one of the Visa Application Centres (VAC):

 

New Delhi jurisdiction:

 

  • New Delhi VAC:

Shivaji Stadium Metro Station,
Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg,
Connaught Place, 
New Delhi- 110001

 

  • Jaipur VAC:

Manglam Ambition Tower
1st Floor, Agrasen Circle (Malan ka Chauraha), 
Subhash Marg, C Scheme
Jaipur, 302001

 

  • Chandigarh VAC:

B-209, 2nd Floor, Elante,
Industrial Area Phase 1,
Chandigarh, India - 160002

 

  • Kolkata VAC:

Rene Tower, Building No. 1842, 
Rajdanga Main Road, Rajdanga,
Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium Kolkata, 
700107, India

 

  • Bhopal VAC:

Ground Floor, Happy Chambers,
Plot No 179, Zone 1
MP Nagar, Bhopal

 

Mumbai jurisdiction:

 

  • Mumbai VAC:

Trade Centre, First Floor, ‘G’ Block,
Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East),
Mumbai – 400 051

 

  • Bengaluru VAC:

Global Tech Park,No 11 First Floor O’ Shaughnessy Road,
Langford Town, 
Bangalore 560025

 

  • Chennai VAC:

Fagun Towers, Third Floor,
No 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore,
Chennai - 600 008

 

  • Ahmedabad VAC:

First Floor, Emerald House,
Near Parimal Garden Cross Road– Off C G Road,
Ahmedabad - 380006

 

  • Hyderabad VAC:

8-2-700, 3rd Floor, Srida Anushka Pride,
Road No. 12, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad – 500034

 

VFS VACs operate as follows:

 

Submission Timings: 09:00 - 16:30 (Monday - Friday)

Collection Timings: 09:00 - 16:30 (Monday - Friday)

For information:

Call +91 22 67866078 between 09:00 - 17:00 hours Monday-Friday

Email: info.polandin@vfshelpline.com

 

Do I have to apply in person?

 

Depending on the method you choose, you can submit the application personally in the consular office or one of the VACs. Diplomatic mission does not accept application forms sent via fax, regular mail or e-mail.

 

How to book an appointment?

 

You can book your appointment to apply for a visa via the e-konsulat system.

To apply at a VAC, book an appointment via call centre or a website.

 

What documents do I need to submit?

Checklists of documents regarding purpose of the trip for the Schengen visa applicants:

  • Business
  • Tourist
  • Others

are published below in "Materials" part.

Please note that the Schengen visa is meant for business visits, tourism, short private visits, participation in conferences, cultural and sports events. It can be issued either as single, double or multiple entry visa depending on the purpose of the trip.

Applicants for a Schengen (uniform) visa for single or double entry shall demonstrate that they have adequate and valid Travel Medical Insurance covering any expenses that may occur during their stay/s in the territory of the Member States due to the necessity of return travel for medical reasons, the need for urgent medical assistance, emergency hospital treatment or death. Applicants for multiple-entry visas shall demonstrate that they have an adequate and valid Travel Medical Insurance for the period of their first intended stay. The insurance must be valid throughout the territory of the European Union Member States and cover the entire period of the planned stay. The minimum amount of insurance is EUR 30,000.

How much does it cost?

The visa application fee is non-returnable, whatever the consul's decision. 

What is the waiting time?

The consul will make the decision on the visa within 15 calendar days. Exceptionally, the time to make the decision can be extended up to 45 days.  

How to collect the documents?

  • At the consulate office: Mon.-Fri., 3:00-4:00 pm.
  • In case of submitting visa application in VAC, please visit VFS website.

How to appeal?

You may appeal against consul’s decision within 14 days from the date of collecting the passport. For that you must submit your passport, an appeal letter and make new visa fee payment. 

NEW DELHI - Submission of documents: Mon-Fri 11:00 am—12:45 pm. No need to take a new appointment.

MUMBAI - Submission of documents: VFS VAC in Mumbai, every Tuesday.

In case of submitting visa application in VAC, please visit VFS website.

Revocation or annulment of Schengen visa


If you have received a decision to revoke or annul your Schengen visa that you do not agree with, you have the right to ask for a reconsideration. However, if you have applied yourself for your Schengen visa to be revoked and the consul has agreed, you are not entitled to appeal.

You should apply for reconsideration within 14 days of receiving the decision to annul or revoke your Schengen visa at the consular post that issued the decision.

NEW DELHI - Submission of documents: Mon-Fri 11:00 am—12:45 pm. No need to take a new appointment.

MUMBAI - Submission of documents: VFS VAC in Mumbai, every Tuesday.

If you apply for reconsideration after your Schengen visa was revoked or annulled, you do not have to pay the consular fee.

Complaint about refusal to issue Schengen visa, decision to revoke or annul Schengen visa and the consul's activities in this respect.


If the consul who examines your reconsideration request, issues a new decision to refuse, annul or revoke your visa, which you do not agree with, you have the right to submit a complaint to the Provincial Administrative Court in Warsaw. The complaint should be forwarded through the consul who made the decision, within 30 days of receiving the decision taken as a result of the re-examination.


You do not pay a consular fee for submitting a complaint to the consul, but you have to pay fees for proceedings before administrative courts. Therefore, you have to note that the court will ask you to pay the court fee. More information on the amount of court fees when appealing with the administrative court, possibility to apply for an exemption from the costs and the language of the procedure, is available at:

http://bip.warszawa.wsa.gov.pl/133/wpis-sadowy-zasady-dokonywania-wpisu.html

Sources: https://www.gov.pl/web/india/c-type-schengen-visa

Where to apply?

 

There are two ways to apply for this visa:

 

  1. Directly at a consular office.
  2. At one of the Visa Application Centres (VAC).

New Delhi jurisdiction:

 

  • New Delhi VAC:

Shivaji Stadium Metro Station,
Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg,
Connaught Place, 
New Delhi- 110001

 

  • Jaipur VAC:

Manglam Ambition Tower
1st Floor, Agrasen Circle (Malan ka Chauraha), 
Subhash Marg, C Scheme
Jaipur, 302001

 

  • Chandigarh VAC:

B-209, 2nd Floor, Elante,
Industrial Area Phase 1,
Chandigarh, India - 160002

 

  • Kolkata VAC:

Rene Tower, Building No. 1842, 
Rajdanga Main Road, Rajdanga,
Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium Kolkata, 
700107, India

 

  • Bhopal VAC:

Ground Floor, Happy Chambers,
Plot No 179, Zone 1
MP Nagar, Bhopal

 

Mumbai jurisdiction:

 

  • Mumbai VAC:

Trade Centre, First Floor, ‘G’ Block,
Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East),
Mumbai – 400 051

 

  • Bengaluru VAC:

Global Tech Park,No 11 First Floor O’ Shaughnessy Road,
Langford Town, 
Bangalore 560025

 

  • Chennai VAC:

Fagun Towers, Third Floor,
No 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore,
Chennai - 600 008

 

  • Ahmedabad VAC:

First Floor, Emerald House,
Near Parimal Garden Cross Road– Off C G Road,
Ahmedabad - 380006

 

  • Hyderabad VAC:

8-2-700, 3rd Floor, Srida Anushka Pride,
Road No. 12, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad – 500034

 

VFS VACs operate as follows:

 

Submission Timings: 09:00 - 16:30 (Monday - Friday)

Collection Timings: 09:00 - 16:30 (Monday - Friday)

For information:

Call +91 22 67866078 between 09:00 - 17:00 hours Monday-Friday

Email: info.polandin@vfshelpline.com

 

Do I have to apply in person?

 

Depending on the method you choose, you can submit the application personally in the consular office or one of the VACs. Diplomatic mission does not accept application forms sent via fax, regular mail or e-mail.

 

How to book an appointment?

 

You can apply at a VFS Global VAC, book an appointment via call centre or a website.

 

Applicable only for the Embassy in New Delhi:

You can also book your appointment to apply for a visa via the e-konsulat system. 

Remember that you must apply for a visa no later than two weeks before the planned departure.

NOTE - When registering, provide full and authentic data in the submitted documents. The data entered in the application must be consistent with the data contained in the documents (also in terms of spelling).

Persons interested in obtaining a national visa in order to work, please make appointments in the e-konsulat system or through VFS Global.

 

New procedure for booking "National visa - work" slots through e-konsulat:

 

In order to book a slot for submitting a visa application for a national work visa:

  • go to the website https://secure2.e-konsulat.gov.pl/
  • in the MENU tab, select the option "National visa – register the form", and then select whether you are applying for a work visa or another one, and whether you accept the application procedure rules:
  • if you choose "National visa – work", fill in the initial visa application with your basic data and the details of the document authorizing you to work in Poland. If the details entered are correct, you will receive an email with a link to complete the full visa application. You have 48 hours to enter your full application. Fill out the application, save it and print it. If the data is not properly verified or the full application is not completed within 48 hours, the registration will be canceled;
  • if you select "National visa – other", "National visa – students", "National visa – highly skilled workers" choose the date of the visit, fill in the visa application, save it and print it;
  • if there are more of those willing to apply than the available places, appointments will be made by electronic drawing,
  • all information, confirmations and links to fill in the applications are sent automatically by e-mail to the e-mail address provided by you,
  • within the set / agreed date, you must come to the consular office with a printed and signed visa form, original work permit and a complete set of necessary documents.

The appointment dates for visa matters are drawn by the e-konsulat system every Saturday. Employees of consular offices cannot interfere with the process of drawing applications, which will be assigned a visit date.

After the draw, you will receive information about its results and:

  • when your application has been drawn, you receive information about the date of the visit,
  • if your application has not been selected, your application will remain in the system until it is drawn or the work permit expires.

 

What documents do I need to submit? 

 

Checklists of documents regarding purpose of the trip for the National visa applicants:

  • Employment
  • Student
  • Dependent
  • Others

are published below in "Materials" part.

A national visa applicant shall personally submit a document confirming the possession of Travel Medical Insurance, referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners  or a document confirming the possession of health insurance as per the definition of the Act of 27 August 2004 on Health care services financed from public funds. Travel medical insurance with an insurance amount of no less than EUR 30,000 must be valid for the period of the intended stay of the foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Poland, cover all expenses that may occur during the stay in Poland due to the necessity of return travel for medical reasons, the need for urgent medical assistance, emergency hospital treatment or death, in which the insurer undertakes to cover the costs of healthcare services provided to the insured directly to the entity providing such benefits, on the basis of a bill issued by this entity.

More information: https://www.gov.pl/web/dyplomacja/wizy -> under link: Information of the Minister of Foreign Affairs about insurers and insurance which meet the necessary conditions referred to in Article 25 (1) (2) (a) and Article 25 (1b) of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners.

 

How much does it cost?

 

The visa application fee is non-returnable, whatever the consul's decision. 

 

What is the waiting time?

 

The decision on the issue of a visa is made within 14 working days from the payment date of application fee. If the documents need to be examined in more detail, the consideration period may be extended to 30 days and 60 days in case of student applications. In urgent and justified cases, the decision can be made in three working days.

 

How to collect the documents?

 

  • At the consulate office: Mon.-Fri., 3:00-4:00 pm.
  • In case of submitting visa application in VAC, please visit VFS website.

 

How to appeal?

 

You may appeal against consul’s decision within 14 days from the date of collecting the passport. For that you must bring your passport, an appeal letter, refusal letter (original and copy) and make new visa fee payment. Submission of documents: Mon-Fri 11:00 am—12:45 pm. No need to take a new appointment.

In case of submitting visa application in VAC, please visit VFS website.

 

Sources: https://www.gov.pl/web/india/d-type-national-visa

Where to apply?

 

There are two ways to apply for this visa:

 

  1. Directly at a consular office.
  2. At one of the Visa Application Centres (VAC).

New Delhi jurisdiction:

 

  • New Delhi VAC:

Shivaji Stadium Metro Station,
Mezzanine Level, Baba Kharak Singh Marg,
Connaught Place, 
New Delhi- 110001

 

  • Jaipur VAC:

Manglam Ambition Tower
1st Floor, Agrasen Circle (Malan ka Chauraha), 
Subhash Marg, C Scheme
Jaipur, 302001

 

  • Chandigarh VAC:

B-209, 2nd Floor, Elante,
Industrial Area Phase 1,
Chandigarh, India - 160002

 

  • Kolkata VAC:

Rene Tower, Building No. 1842, 
Rajdanga Main Road, Rajdanga,
Landmark: Near Geetanjali Stadium Kolkata, 
700107, India

 

  • Bhopal VAC:

Ground Floor, Happy Chambers,
Plot No 179, Zone 1
MP Nagar, Bhopal

 

Mumbai jurisdiction:

 

  • Mumbai VAC:

Trade Centre, First Floor, ‘G’ Block,
Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East),
Mumbai – 400 051

 

  • Bengaluru VAC:

Global Tech Park,No 11 First Floor O’ Shaughnessy Road,
Langford Town, 
Bangalore 560025

 

  • Chennai VAC:

Fagun Towers, Third Floor,
No 74, Ethiraj Salai, Egmore,
Chennai - 600 008

 

  • Ahmedabad VAC:

First Floor, Emerald House,
Near Parimal Garden Cross Road– Off C G Road,
Ahmedabad - 380006

 

  • Hyderabad VAC:

8-2-700, 3rd Floor, Srida Anushka Pride,
Road No. 12, Banjara Hills,
Hyderabad – 500034

 

VFS VACs operate as follows:

 

Submission Timings: 09:00 - 16:30 (Monday - Friday)

Collection Timings: 09:00 - 16:30 (Monday - Friday)

For information:

Call +91 22 67866078 between 09:00 - 17:00 hours Monday-Friday

Email: info.polandin@vfshelpline.com

 

Do I have to apply in person?

 

Depending on the method you choose, you can submit the application personally in the consular office or one of the VACs. Diplomatic mission does not accept application forms sent via fax, regular mail or e-mail.

 

How to book an appointment?

 

You can book your appointment to apply for a visa via the e-konsulat system.

To apply at a VAC, book an appointment via call centre or a website.

 

What documents do I need to submit?

 

Please note!


You can apply for an A-Type visa only if:

  • You are planning to stay only in the airport's transit area and are not planning to leave it.  The A-Type visa does not authorise you to stay in the Schengen area.
  • You are a citizen of one of the countries below: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka.

You do not need to apply for an A-Type visa if you:

  • hold a diplomatic passport,
  • are a member of an EU citizen's closest family,
  • hold a C-Type or D-Type visa or a residence permit issued by one of the EU Member States
  • hold any of the residence permits listed in Annex V of the Community Code on Visas, issued by Andorra, Canada, Japan, San Marino or the United States of America,
  • hold a valid visa of a European Economic Area country or Canada, Japan or the United States of America, or you are returning from these countries after using such visa.

 

Required documents:

 

  • A visa application form filled via the e-konsulat system, printed and signed;
  • A 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo. The photo must be:
  • sharp, taken against white background and printed on a quality paper. 
  • newer than 6 months;
  • taken en face, clearly showing the eyes and face from both sides from the top of the head to the top of the shoulders with the face covering 70-80% of the photo. The photo must be taken without any headwear.
  • Passport issued within last ten years, valid for at least three months from the expected return date, with at least two blank pages for visas.
  • A copy of the passport page with personal data and the photo. 
  • A healthcare insurance valid across the Schengen area for the amount not lower than EUR 30,000 
  • A copy of an ID document to confirm residence within the consular district of your application. 
  • A document to confirm that you will continue your journey after leaving the transit area (for example, a plane ticket or a visa of the country of destination).
  • Any information to prove that you do not intend to make your way into the territory of any of the Schengen area countries.

 

Additionally, when applying for a visa for a child you should present:

 

  • Written consent of the child’s parent(s) to apply for a visa, confirmed by a notary. If there is only one guardian, it should be proved by a birth certificate, a court decision on exclusive parental custody or a death certificate of the other parent.
  • Originals and copies of parents' passports.
  • An original and a copy of a birth certificate.

If the child is entered in the parent's or legal guardian’s passport, submit a separate visa application. The visa will be pasted into the parent's or the legal guardian's passport.

 

Please note:

 

  • You must apply for a visa in a consular office or the embassy’s consular department in the consular district of your place of residence. 
  • Usually, the above documents are enough to receive a visa, however, the consul may require additional documents.
  • The consul may, but does not have to, invite the applicant for an interview.
  • A-Type visa does not allow you to leave the airport transit area.

 

How much does it cost?

 

The visa application fee is non-returnable, whatever the consul's decision. 

 

What is the waiting time?

 

The consul will make the decision on the visa within 15 calendar days. Exceptionally, the time to make the decision can be extended up to 30 or 60 days.  

 

How to collect the documents?

 

  • At the consulate office: Mon.-Fri., 3:00-4:00 pm.
  • In case of submitting visa application in VAC, please visit VFS website.

 

How to appeal?

 

You may appeal against consul’s decision within 14 days from the date of collecting the passport. For that you must submit your passport, an appeal letter and make new visa fee payment. Submission of documents: Mon-Fri 9:00 am—1:00 pm. No need to take a new appointment.

In case of submitting visa application in VAC, please visit VFS website.

Search for courses