Poland is another excellent study destination in Central Europe. However, international students from outside the European Union countries need to apply for a visa to go here. Depending on how long you plan to study, you can apply for either a Schengen visa (Type C) or a National Visa (Type D) as a student visa in Poland.

With a Type C student visa, you can only stay in Poland for 90 days in 180 days, with multiple entries. It means you can go to and leave Poland as many times as you want as long as you don’t exceed the 90-day stay limit within 180 days.

But if you’re looking to take a full degree program in Poland, the Type D student visa is better for you. This allows you to stay in the country for more than 90 days up to a year. If you need to stay longer than a year, make sure to apply for a Temporary Residence Card while your visa is still valid.

What documents do you need to apply for a student visa in Poland?

Here are the documents you will need to apply for a student visa in Poland:

  • Completed Student Visa Application form
  • A valid passport that must still be valid for three months after you depart from Poland
  • Copy of passport bio page
  • Official letter of acceptance from a university or college in Poland
  • A short curriculum vita
  • Your school diploma and certificates
  • Proof of proficiency for the language you want to study in
  • Evidence confirming possession of adequate funds for your living costs in your entire stay duration in Poland, including your return flight to your home country
  • Health insurance
  • One passport-sized photo, taken within the last six months
  • Proof of accommodation

How much money do you need for Poland Student Visa?

The application fee for a Poland student visa is around 390 PLN or $99. However, you’ll need to prove that you have adequate funding for your living costs during your entire stay in Poland. The minimum financial requirement to stay in Poland is around $200 per month. That means that if you’re staying for two years, you’ll need at least $4,800 to cover your living costs.

Additionally, applying for a Poland student visa requires you to prove that you have funding for an airplane ticket to return home. This costs approximately $650, or you can already purchase the return ticket before applying for the visa as proof of your financial capacity. Overall, you’ll need around $3,050 per year to apply for a Poland student visa.

Check Also: Programs in Europe for International Students

Steps on Applying for a Student Visa in Poland

1. Locate the Polish Embassy in your Home Country

It is crucial to know the list of requirements for your student application, as these may differ depending on your home country. To confirm the documents you need to submit for a student visa in Poland, make sure to contact a Polish embassy near you.

You can find information about the embassies and consulates of Poland here. Just type your country name in the search field and click on the search icon. Choose the embassy on the results page by clicking on “More details.” From there, you will have the complete address, phone number, email address, and website of the Polish embassy.

2. Confirm the Requirements for a Student Visa

You may reach out to the embassy through the contact information you found on the previous step to know specific requirements for a student visa in Poland. This way, you can ensure that you did not miss anything and have sufficient time to complete the documents before your appointment date.

3. Book an Appointment with the Consulate

You can visit this website to book an appointment for your student visa application. Select your home country from the drop-down list and make sure to select the embassy or consulate you intend to submit your application. To book an appointment, you’ll need to choose the option “National visa- Register form.”

Read through the guidelines in making an appointment and answering the online application form. Then, enter the image verification in the appropriate field and click on Continue. Finally, choose your preferred appointment date from the drop-down list.

4. Fill up the Online Application Form

You’ll need to accomplish the online application form within one hour of booking your appointment for your student visa in Poland. Failure to do so will automatically forfeit your appointment. Ensure that you’re providing the correct information in each field, as any erroneous entry might make your application void. After completing the form, click on the Save button. If you have to edit any information, click on the “Correct” button to make changes.

5. Complete your Requirements

Make sure to complete your requirements before your appointment date. You’ll also need to print the online application form to submit along with your requirements and additional documents.

6. Submit your Requirements

Bring your requirements and application fee payment to the embassy or consulate on your appointment date. Although you have completed the requirements to the best of your knowledge, the consul might still ask you for additional documents. And although it’s not required, the consul might also invite you for an interview.

You may apply at least 15 business days before your planned departure to Poland. After all, the processing time for your visa application usually takes around 15 working days. However, the application period might extend up to 30 days if the consul needs to consider your documents in detail.

Thus, it is better to apply as early as possible for a student visa in Poland. This way, you’ll have sufficient time to submit any additional requirements and receive your visa before the semester starts.

On the other hand, urgent and justified cases warrant visa processing in only three working days. You might want to ask the consul about this exception if you’re running close to a deadline.

7. Get your Poland Student Visa

Depending on the Polish embassy in your home country, you might be able to choose a prepaid courier to deliver your visa. But, generally, you’ll need to come in person to get it from the embassy.

8. Apply for a Temporary Residence Permit

Since your student visa in Poland is only valid for one year, make sure to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit if you have to stay in Poland for longer than that. It is an ID card that you can use with proper travel documents to cross the Polish border. You can apply for this when you arrive in Poland.

The first temporary residence permit you’ll receive upon application is valid for 15 months. After that, you can renew the permit for up to three years. However, take note that you can only apply for this permit if your visa is valid.

 

We hope that this article on how to apply for a student visa in Poland was helpful. If you are interested in studying in Europe, make sure to check out Available Programs in Europe for International Students.

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hyun is the founder at Global Scholarships. He has received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College as well as $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for his undergraduate degree and has been offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. Read more about his scholarship journey here.

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