Students from outside the EU usually come to Poland on a national study visa and later apply for a temporary residence permit for studies. Since 27 April 2026, that permit application must be filed electronically through the MOS portal while you are legally in Poland. This guide takes you through each step, from the admission letter to the residence card.
Citizens of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland do not need a visa to study in Poland. They travel with a passport or ID card and, for stays longer than three months, register their residence with the voivodeship office. Most students from other countries need a national visa (type D) for studies to enter Poland, and many will later need a temporary residence permit to stay for the whole programme.
The visa procedure starts once you have been admitted. Consulates ask for a letter of acceptance from the Polish university, and some also ask for proof that tuition has been paid where fees apply. Since a law of 2025 extended the rules, most universities that want to admit foreign students must be approved by the Minister of the Interior and Administration, unless they are exempt, as public academic universities are. Before you pay any fees, it is worth checking that your university is on the ministry’s list or belongs to an exempt group.
According to the official portal study.gov.pl, run by NAWA and the Ministry of Science, you apply at a Polish consulate or the consular section of a Polish embassy. In most cases you register and fill in the form in the e-Konsulat system, book an appointment, and then submit the printed, signed form in person with the visa fee. Typical documents include:
Requirements vary between consulates, so always read the instructions of the one responsible for your place of residence. A visa application should be reviewed within up to 15 days, but some cases take longer. A type D visa can be valid for a maximum of one year.
If your programme lasts longer than your visa, you will need a temporary residence permit for studies. You must apply while you are still legally in Poland, before your visa expires. Do not leave it to the last week: the application involves your university and an appointment at the voivodeship office.
Since 27 April 2026, applications for temporary residence permits for study purposes must be submitted electronically via the MOS portal of the Office for Foreigners. The process looks like this:
The voivodeship office will then invite you in person to give fingerprints and a specimen signature and to show your original travel document.
According to study.gov.pl, the stamp duty for a temporary residence permit for study purposes is PLN 340. The residence card costs PLN 100, while a reduced fee of PLN 50 may apply to eligible students. Fees are paid to separate bank accounts, not through MOS. A first permit for a student starting the first year of studies is normally granted for 15 months.
A study visa or permit is tied to your studies, so studying must remain the main purpose of your stay. Keep your health insurance valid, keep copies of everything you submit and update the authorities if your situation changes. For more on formalities, accommodation and costs, see the residence section of our guide to studying in Poland.
Get admitted to an approved or exempt university, apply for a national study visa at a Polish consulate, then, before the visa expires, file your temporary residence permit application online in MOS. Budget for PLN 340 in stamp duty plus the residence card fee, and expect a first permit of 15 months.
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