Student Visa for Poland: D Visa, Residence Card and Money to Show

Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.

Students from outside the EU come to Poland in two steps: a national (D) visa from a Polish consulate, then a temporary residence permit for study from the regional office. This guide covers the rules as of October 2026.

Who needs a visa

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens need no visa and no permit. If you stay longer than three months, register your stay at the voivodeship office (*urząd wojewódzki*) within 90 days of arrival. The registration certificate is free.
• Citizens of visa-free countries may enter for up to 90 days in any 180 days, but must apply for the residence permit while their stay is still legal.
• Everyone else needs a national D visa for study before travelling.

The D visa

A D visa is a long-stay national visa, valid for up to one year.

1. Find the Polish consulate responsible for your country of residence.
2. Register the application form and book an appointment in the e-Konsulat system.
3. Bring the signed form, passport, photo and the documents below, and pay the fee, which each consulate sets in local currency.

Typical documents for study:

• the admission letter from the Polish university;
• proof that tuition is paid, if the programme is fee-paying;
• proof of funds and of accommodation;
• travel medical insurance for the whole stay. The consulate in the United States, for example, asks for cover of at least €30,000.

If your school certificate needed a NAWA recognition statement, the consul can ask NAWA to confirm it was issued. See NAWA recognition for Poland.

A decision usually takes up to 15 days. Apply as soon as you hold the admission letter.

Money to show

For the residence permit you must prove that, each month, the money left after paying for your housing is above 1,010 zł (about €231). You also need money for the journey home: 2,500 zł (about €572) from most countries outside Europe, 500 zł from EU countries that do not border Poland, and 200 zł from neighbouring countries. Bank certificates and scholarship letters must be no older than one month. Consulates may apply their own rules for the visa. See how much it costs to study in Poland.

The temporary residence permit

Every non-EU student staying beyond the visa needs a temporary residence permit for study, and with it a residence card (*karta pobytu*).

• Apply online only. Since 27 April 2026 applications go through the MOS portal of the Office for Foreigners. Paper applications are not processed. You cannot apply from abroad, only while legally in Poland.
• You need an electronic signature: a trusted profile (*profil zaufany*) or a qualified e-signature.
• The university signs an annex confirming your studies. Plan for this wait.
• Apply before your visa expires. Your stay is then legal until the decision.
• Visit the office. The voivodeship office calls you in to give fingerprints and show your passport and original documents.

The legal deadline for a decision is 60 days from a complete application, but it often takes longer. The first permit is usually issued for 15 months. Later permits cover the rest of your studies plus three months, up to three years.

Fees

• Stamp duty for the permit: 340 zł (about €78).
• Residence card: 100 zł (about €23), with a 50% discount for students, so 50 zł.

Pay both to the accounts listed by your voivodeship office and attach the proof in MOS.

Health insurance

You need insurance for the visa and for the permit. Once in Poland, non-EU students can sign a voluntary contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ). In 2026 the student contribution is 55.80 zł (about €13) a month. See health insurance for students in Europe.

After arrival

1. Register your address at the town hall (*zameldowanie*) by the fourth day after moving in. Non-EU citizens must do it in person, and you need your rental contract.
2. Enrol at the university and arrange insurance.
3. Submit the MOS application well before your visa ends.

Work and after graduation

Full-time students with a student visa or a residence permit for study do not need a work permit, and Polish law sets no limit on their hours. You can also work without a permit after graduating from full-time study in Poland. You can then apply for a temporary residence permit to look for a job or start a business. See working while studying in Europe.

Where to look next

• How to get into a university in Poland
• How much it costs to study in Poland
• NAWA recognition for Poland
• Student housing in Poland

Official sources

• MOS: temporary residence permit for study
• Office for Foreigners: about the MOS system
• Study in Poland: visa and application
• e-Konsulat
• NFZ: voluntary health insurance (in Polish)

Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.