If you're planning to study in a European country, specifically Poland, here's a guide to obtaining a student visa to Poland. You'll need a valid student visa to study in Poland. For candidates and students from EU member states, all you need is a valid ID card and travel documents, while students from Arab countries must apply at a Polish embassy.
To answer all your questions about student visas and the reasons for student visa rejection to Poland, we present this article.
Poland study visa
Those planning to pursue their studies in Poland are expected to legalize their stay by obtaining a Polish student visa. International students are required to obtain a visa from a Polish embassy.
A Polish student visa, i.e., a category D national visa, is issued by a Polish consulate, diplomatic mission, visa application center, or embassy. This visa allows students to stay in Poland for one year.
Education system in Poland
Higher education in Poland is largely dominated by private universities and colleges. With only 138 public schools compared to 310 private colleges and universities, competition is high, resulting in lower costs and higher quality education compared to other European countries. More than 100 universities offer many programs in English, further increasing the popularity of Poland's higher education system, due to it being part of the European Credit Transfer Scheme.
Students are also given the opportunity to participate in various exchange programs and continue their studies in other countries. However, the admission process varies across different institutions in the country, as there is no central administration to manage it; therefore, each institution is responsible for its own admissions process.
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Getting a student visa in Poland
How to get a student visa to study in Poland:
- Confirm your acceptance to the university You must have received an offer from a Polish university to study there and must accept this offer. This will be proof of your place when applying for a visa.
- Find the Polish consulate nearest to you To process your visa application, you must visit the Polish Embassy or Consulate in your country.
- Schedule a visa appointment at the consulate By registering online, you will need to schedule a visa appointment at the consulate. You can do this by visiting the website. Visa Consulate Electronic and check the details.
- Be present for your appointment and submit your documents. You must submit all your documents to the consulate on the day of your appointment. This includes the visa application form and visa fee.
Types of Polish study visas
- Type A – This is a Schengen transit visa. It is not suitable for students wishing to study in Poland.
- Type "C" – Short-term Schengen visa. The visa holder is allowed to stay in Poland for up to 90 days out of a total 180-day period.
- Type "D" – This is a long-term national visa. It is issued for up to one year and allows travel throughout the Schengen area for up to 90 days.
Note – The total time required to process a visa is approximately 14 working days.
Documents required to obtain a student visa to Poland
There are several documents required during the process of obtaining a Polish student visa. Documents required for international students include:
- A valid passport, valid for up to 3 months after the planned departure from Poland.
- School diplomas and certificates
- CV or resume
- A fully completed and signed Poland student visa application form.
- Letter of acceptance from the Polish institute you intend to attend.
- Receipt of visa application fee, already paid.
- Passport-sized photograph of the applicant
- Proof of residence in Poland
- Health insurance
- Proof of proficiency in English or any other language chosen as the medium of instruction.
- Proof of funds required to live and study in Poland.
- Transport or travel documents
Polish Student Residence
To stay in Poland for more than one year, you must have a Polish D student visa, for which you will need a residence permit. To apply for a Polish residence permit, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Application form
- Documents about your identity
- Proof of your acceptance into a Polish university or college
- Evidence that you have sufficient financial resources
Your initial Polish residence permit will be valid for only 15 months. However, it can be renewed for 3 years. You can apply for this extension while you are legally residing in Poland and before your visa expires.
Poland Study Visa Requirements
To be able to study in Poland and obtain a valid student visa, you must meet the following requirements:
- He must have completed his secondary education.
- You must have a valid graduation certificate that confirms that you are eligible to apply to a university.
Process for obtaining a Poland student visa
Having the above documents will ensure a smooth and hassle-free visa application process. Let's take a look at the Poland student visa process:
- Register to submit your documents for a Polish student visa. You can find all the details on the official website of your country's Polish embassy or contact customer service.
- Collect all relevant documents.
- Submit documents on time.
- Get your visa.
Poland visa fees
The cost of a Poland student visa application is €70, non-refundable. As VFS Global is a major visa service provider, it charges its own service fee to process the application. A fee of $986 is charged when you book your appointment.
| details | The amount is in euros |
| Form drawing | 85.61 |
| VFS Service Fee | 11.77 |
| the total | 97.38 |
Average price
Students must provide proof of financial support to the Polish authorities. This includes living expenses and a minimum amount for the return flight.
| expenses | Amount |
| living expenses | 701 PLN / per month of stay |
| Minimum return trip | 2500 Polish zlotys |
Reasons for Polish visa rejection
The chances of a Polish student visa being rejected are slim because, compared to other European countries, Poland has flexible visa and immigration policies. If you are rejected due to missing documents or any errors, don't be discouraged. Applicants can resubmit their documents, eliminating the reason for the rejection. However, it is recommended to carefully review all documents before applying to avoid failure.
However, there may be reasons for a Polish visa to be rejected, including submitting false documents or tampering with the information provided to the Polish embassy.
Working in Poland with a student visa
If you are an international student studying in Poland, you are also free to work here, provided you have a valid residence permit. There are no restrictions on working in Poland with a Polish D student visa.
Benefits of studying in Poland
Poland is among the dynamic countries in the European Union, offering over 800 English-language courses. Students can enjoy high-quality education at a significantly lower price compared to other countries. On average, tuition fees range from €1,500 to €3,000 per year. The country also has a specific body that verifies the quality of higher education offered by universities. Aside from academics, student satisfaction rates are extremely high, with an average score of 9.5 out of 10. Poland is also known to be a safe country with scenic locations for students to enjoy their stay.
Questions and Answers
How much bank balance is required to obtain a Poland student visa?
Excluding tuition fees, living expenses, and additional fees, an average of US$13,000 is required as bank balance for an applicant wishing to study in Poland.
How long does it take to get a Poland student visa?
The average processing time for a Poland student visa is about one month.
Can I work in Poland with a student visa?
Yes, international students can work while studying in Poland as long as they are enrolled in an educational institution.
Can I get PR in Poland after studying?
According to Polish government rules, students will have to apply for a residence permit if they want to extend their stay to obtain permanent residence.
Is it easy to get a Polish visa?
Visa rejection or acceptance depends on the applicant's purpose, documents submitted, etc.
