Student Residence Permit in Poland
A student residence permit in Poland is your key to legalization, education, and life in Europe. It allows you to study, live, and work in Poland without any restrictions, and travel freely throughout the Schengen area!
Who Can Get It?
Any student at a Polish university or person working on a contract basis (Umowa o pracę) can get a residence permit. The process is basically similar in both scenarios; however, it's important to note that the required documents may vary. This article focuses on obtaining a student residence permit.
Required Documents for Application
To get a student residence permit in Poland, you need to gather the following documents:
- Passport + copies of all filled passport pages
- A certificate from your university confirming your student status and your transcript
- Proof of tuition payment (for the year)
- Proof of student accommodation (dormitory place or rental contract)
- Local registration (Meldunek)
- Year-long medical insurance (with coverage of €30,000)
- Completed application form (2 copies)
- Bank statement
- Current photos 3.5×4.5 cm (4 pcs.)
- Student ID card
In some cases, additional documents might be required. This depends on the specifics of your individual case, or the documents you've gathered might need extra proof of your intentions.
Application Process
You apply at the foreigners' department of the city administration (Urząd) in your province, like Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki in Warsaw. Register in the website and book an appointment on the website before applying. Start the process well in advance, as it may take several months. After submitting all the necessary documents, you can track the status on the same website. Decisions are usually made within 3-5 months of application.
Reasons for Denial and How to Avoid Them
Incomplete or incorrectly assembled documents are common reasons for delays or denials. For a student residence permit in Poland, students need 30 ECTS points per semester and 60 per year. One of the most popular reasons is insufficient funds to cover the student's expenses. Full formula to calculate the amount needed you can find there. Thoroughly check all documents against the information on government websites. For document preparation, we recommend consulting professionals to avoid stress and extra costs.
Rights and Benefits of Holding a Student Residence Permit
This permit allows unrestricted study, work, and Schengen zone travel. Time in Poland on this permit counts towards permanent residency or citizenship applications. However, for residency purposes, the system partially considers study time, counting each study year as half a residence year.