student visa in poland

Do you need a student visa in Poland? At Touriago, we like to make your stay as simple as possible. Our goal is to help you find and apply for your student visa in Poland. We’ll make sure you are fully guided through the process; providing you with all the information necessary. We’ll also make sure that your application is processed swiftly. In fact, we have clients who applied on a Friday and received the visa on Wednesday.

If you are young and looking to go abroad, chances are that you want to learn a new language, acquire new knowledge and experience foreign culture. You can do all of this in Poland! Studying in Poland can offer one with a unique chance to enjoy all the perks of being in a European capital as well as being an active student at the same time. All you need is to get student visa for Poland.

Studying in Poland is now more popular than ever, and with good reason. Everything from tuition fees, to accommodation and culture are some of the reasons why. What’s more is that studying in Poland allows you to get a student visa in Poland.

If you’re a student looking to study in Poland, you’ll need to apply for a student visa. While there are several different ways to do this, we’ll run through the process step by step so that you can learn more about what you’re doing and feel confident about your application.

First things first: You need to be at least 18 years old (or turning 18 within 6 months of applying) and enrolled in an institution of higher education, including universities, colleges and vocational schools. If you’re under 18, but will be turning 18 within 6 months of applying, then you can still apply for a student visa as long as the school where you’re going to be studying has an agreement with your government that allows them to provide education to students who aren’t yet 18 years old.

Once you’ve determined which type of educational institution is right for you and have confirmed that they have an agreement with your government allowing them to provide education for students who aren’t yet 18 years old (if necessary), it’s time to start thinking about how long your stay will be. The maximum length of stay for any foreign national studying in Poland is one year if they plan on attending university or another type of academic institution.

Poland is a country with a rich history, and one that’s been shaped by the many cultures that have lived there. It’s also home to an incredible national park, which is why many students are considering studying in Poland.

If you’re looking to study in Poland, you’ll need a student visa. Fortunately, it’s not difficult to get one—here’s what you need to know about applying for one:

1. What kind of visa do I need?

The type of visa you need depends on where your school is located and how long your studies will last. If your school is located in Warsaw or Krakow, then you’ll need the Type D student visa. If it isn’t, then you’ll need an F-1/F-2 student visa instead. Both types allow for up to three years of study at an institution of higher education (one year under each type).

2. How do I apply?

First, gather all the documents needed for submitting your application (see below). Then make sure they’re translated into Polish if they aren’t already—you can find them here: https://polishtranslationservicesonline.com/portfolio-details/polski

Polish student visa process

1. Confirm your university place: You must have accepted an offer from a Polish university and have proof of your place before you can apply for a visa.
2. Find your nearest Polish consulate: You will need to visit a Polish embassy or consulate in your home country to have you visa application processed. You can find your nearest Polish consulate here.
3. Set a visa appointment with the consulate: You will probably need to register online through the Polish consulate website first.
4. Prepare your documents: See below for a full list of the documents you’ll need. The specific requirements may vary between consulates, so confirm with them first.
5. Attend your appointment and submit your documents: Submit all the documents including a printed and signed application form and the visa fee. You should receive a decision within two to three weeks.

Applying for a Polish residence permit

The type D visa allows you to stay in Poland for one year, so you will need to apply for a temporary residence permit in order to stay for longer, for example, if you’re studying a three-year bachelor’s program.

You can apply for a permit by visiting your local Voivodship Office. You will need to submit:

• An application form
• Identity documents
• Proof of your studies
• Health insurance documents
• Proof you have sufficient funds

Your first permit will be valid for 15 months, but can be renewed for up to three years, but not longer than the remainder of your studies. You can only apply when you are legally living in Poland, but before your visa expires.

Poland student visa requirements

Here are the documents you will need to provide when you apply for a Polish type D visa:

• A completed and signed Poland student visa application form
• Valid passport (must be valid for three months after your planned departure from Poland)
• Official letter of acceptance from a university in Poland
• Your CV
• School certificates and diplomas
• Proof of your English language proficiency
• Evidence you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your studies
• Health insurance documents
• One passport-size photo
• Proof of accommodation in Poland
• Transport documentation, such as a rail or air ticket

Polish student visa processing time

Once you have submitted your application and all of the required documents, it should take 15 days for your visa to be reviewed and for you to receive a response.

Although this turnaround is pretty quick, you should still start your application way in advance of your departure date. In some cases, processing can take much longer, and delays can occur if you forget to include all your documents.

You can start your application three months before your enrollment date once you have your acceptance letter.

Working with a Polish student visa

There are no restrictions on working with a Polish type D student visa. International students can work in Poland without needing a work permit, provided you have a valid residence permit.

Although it is possible to have a full-time job while you’re studying in Poland, you need to make sure working doesn’t affect your studies. If working long hours has a negative impact on your grades, you may find it harder to renew your residence permit.

What to do if your visa application is rejected

Having your Poland student visa application declined can be disappointing, but it doesn’t mean your study abroad plans are over.

Some of the most common reasons for a rejected application include:

• Insufficient financial evidence you can support yourself during your studies
• Incomplete application form
• Missing or inadequate documents
• Invalid passport
• Lack of appropriate travel insurance

Most of these issues can be resolved by submitting a new application providing any missing or insufficient information.

If your visa has been rejected and you don’t agree with the decision, you can write a letter of appeal. Your letter should be addressed to your local consulate, and outline why you think your application should be accepted.

Supporting Documents for a Poland Student Visa Application

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 the Schengen 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 Long Does It Take To Get a Poland Student Visa?

Your Poland student visa may take up to 15 days to process after submitting your application. Once you have the university acceptance letter, you are advised to apply for your Poland student visa as soon as possible but not earlier than three months before your enrollment date. If by any chance you apply during the summer season, the processing time for your student visa application may be extended.

How Long Can I Stay in Poland With 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. 

Conclusion

Prior to this visa I was always told that only graduates from recognized universities could apply for a student visa, thus I didn’t even know how to go about it. All the information about this visa in foreign papers was scattered around and difficult to follow. Therefore we have created this website, the main purpose of which is to inform students on how to obtain this visa in Poland. We have received additional valuable offer from some of our acquaintances who work in university admission departments and they will answer your questions. The site operates round the clock. Also we are trying to collect as much information as possible regarding scholarships available in Poland (both private and government ones).

Student visa in Poland is a way that allows students from non-EU countries to legally study at Polish colleges and universites. There are also very specific rules for obtaining a student visa, as well as considerations for Polish citizens attempting to enter non-European Union countries. If you are considering moving abroad for studies, consult the consulate of your country in Poland for more information.