Students in Poland are eligible to apply for a residence card. However, from 2025, the criteria for obtaining a residence permit will be changed. Read more about the procedure for applying for a residence card for foreign students in Poland

A foreign student applies for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying in Poland if his/her goal is to start or continue full-time studies at a university or doctoral program. It is important that this educational institution is approved by the relevant Polish Ministry of the Interior.

Please note: foreigners who have temporary protection status (Pesel UKR) are currently not eligible to apply for this type of residence card.

If you are a part-time student, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit based on other circumstances (inne okoliczności).

You can learn more about the current changes in the procedure for obtaining a residence card in Poland from 2025 by following the link.

Peculiarities of the procedure for obtaining a residence card for students in Poland

In order to apply for a temporary residence permit (karta pobytu), a student must meet certain requirements. First of all, they must stay in Poland legally - for example, on the basis of a visa-free regime or a previously issued visa.

The second important condition is the existence of grounds for staying in Poland. This can be a contract with a university, a course schedule or a study plan confirming the duration of stay in the country for at least three months.

The third aspect is proof of financial solvency. This can be bank statements, sponsorship, or income from work in Poland, which indicates the student's ability to provide for his or her own living in the country.

The fourth condition is the availability of a place of residence. To do this, you need to provide a lease agreement for an apartment, hostel or student dormitory.

The first temporary residence permit for full-time students is issued for a period of 15 months. It is important to note that after obtaining a residence permit, a student has the right to work in Poland without an additional work permit, as his/her residence permit will contain the “Access to the labor market” stamp.

Documents for obtaining a residence card for students

In order to obtain a residence card on the basis of studying in Poland, it is necessary to prepare a certain package of documents. The main document is an application form known as a Wniosek. The application must be accompanied by other documents confirming the grounds for stay and compliance with the requirements.

The main list of documents for obtaining a residence card includes:

1. A completed application for a residence card;

2. Four recent photographs that meet the visa requirements;

3. Copies of the passport together with the original for verification;

4. A document from the educational institution confirming enrollment or continuation of studies;

5. Confirmation of payment of tuition, if required by the type of training;

6. A valid insurance policy;

7. Documents confirming the availability of sufficient financial resources for living, studying and returning home;

8. A lease agreement or other document confirming the availability of housing;

9. Confirmation of payment of stamp duty of PLN 340, which is paid to the account indicated on the uząd's website.

It is worth noting that the voivodeship offices may require additional documents depending on the situation, and this list may vary depending on the voivodeship.

Applying for a temporary residence permit in Poland has several important nuances. Firstly, the application must be submitted in person, and it must be done no later than the last day of your legal stay in Poland. After the application has been reviewed and approved, you can also pick up the ready-made residence permit only in person.

When applying for a residence permit, your fingerprints will be taken, which is a mandatory procedure. As for the documents, all papers drawn up in Polish must be submitted in originals or in photocopies together with the originals for verification. If the documents are in a foreign language, they must be translated into Polish, and the translation must be done by a Polish sworn translator.

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You can get advice on education abroad on the Visit World portal. Our lawyers can answer all your questions about the current rules for admission to certain educational institutions, as well as help with the preparation of documents for admission and study abroad. To order a specialist consultation, follow this link.

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Financial requirements for obtaining a residence card in Poland

In order to obtain a residence permit in Poland, a student needs to provide evidence of his/her financial solvency. This is a mandatory condition, regardless of the form of study. A foreign student must confirm that he or she has sufficient funds to live in Poland during the course of studies and that he or she will be able to return home after completing them.

Evidence of the availability of funds to cover the following expenses is required:

- Accommodation: the minimum amount for maintenance is 776 PLN per month for 15 months, which equals 11,640 PLN. From 2025, this amount will increase to PLN 1010 per month, which will amount to a total of PLN 15,150;

- The return journey: the amount that must be available depends on the country of origin. For Poland's neighboring countries, it is PLN 200, for other EU member states - PLN 500, and for non-EU countries - PLN 2500;

- Accommodation: the total monthly cost of accommodation indicated in the relevant document (Oświadczenie d kosztów zamieszkania);

- Accommodation: proof of financial solvency for the entire period of stay in Poland. This may include traveler's checks, a bank statement confirming the availability of funds in the account, proof of scholarship, or a certificate of employment and salary.

A fee of PLN 340 is charged for consideration of the residence permit application, which is non-refundable in case of a negative decision. After a positive decision is made, an additional fee of PLN 100 is paid for the production of a plastic residence card.

We remind you! For many years now, Polish universities have been accepting foreign students en masse without requiring them to provide any educational documents or proof of language proficiency. However, over 50% of foreign students do not even complete their studies. Find out the details of the student visa scandal in Poland.

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