Legalization of stay
EU/EFTA citizens
An EU citizen may enter Poland with a valid travel document or another valid document confirming their identity and citizenship. An EU citizen who stays in Poland for more than 3 months is required to register their stay by submitting an application to the voivode with jurisdiction over their place of residence (Wojewoda Małopolski). The application must be submitted in person, no later than the day after the 3-month period from the date of entry into Poland has expired.
Required documents
application form: 1 copy of the application for registration of residence, filled out in Polish, legibly, in capital letters.
identification: Travel document or other document proving identity and citizenship (1 copy, all pages included).
photographs: 4 color photographs (35 mm x 45 mm), taken no earlier than 6 months before the date of application.
university certificate: Certificate from a public or non-public college confirming admission or referral to a professional training course.
medical insurance: Document confirming medical insurance coverage or rights to healthcare services according to social security coordination regulations.
financial resources: Written declaration confirming sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family members without needing social assistance, or a certificate confirming such resources.
Where to submit the documents?
Małopolska Provincial Office in Kraków
Department for Foreigners
31 – 547 Kraków, ul. Przy Rondzie 6
2nd floor, room 214
Phone: +48 12 39 21 854
e-mail: sc@malopolska.uw.gov.pl
Details are available on the website: Małopolska Provincial Office in Kraków
non-EU/EFTA citizens
Citizens of non-EU countries may enter and stay in Poland on the basis of a Schengen or national visa. The visa is issued by a Polish consulate in the applicant's country of residence.
Schengen Visa (“C”): This visa allows you to stay in Poland and travel throughout the Schengen Zone. It is issued for stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period, whether for a single stay or multiple entries, starting from the date of entry. The visa application is generally processed by the consulate of the appropriate Schengen member state based on your place of residence.
National Visa (“D”): This visa is issued for stays in Poland exceeding 90 days within its validity period. It is a long-term visa with a validity period starting no later than 3 months from issuance and lasting up to 1 year. The national visa allows you to stay in Poland for the entire period indicated on the visa (up to 1 year). Additionally, it permits travel within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within every 180-day period, without needing separate visas for other Schengen member states, within the visa's validity period.
The foreigners who have the right to free visa travel.
After Brexit (January 1, 2021):
UK citizens may enter and stay in Poland based on:
Visa-Free Movement: Allows entry and stay in Poland and all Schengen Zone member states for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, whether for a single stay or multiple entries, starting from the date of entry.
National Visa (“D”): Issued for stays in Poland exceeding 90 days. The validity of a national visa cannot exceed 1 year.
Special Regulations for Withdrawal Agreement Beneficiaries: UK citizens who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement have the right to stay in Poland under the existing conditions if they were residents in Poland under EU law by December 31, 2020, and continue to reside there.
Temporary residence permit:
You should submit an application if you intend to stay in the Republic of Poland for more than 3 months. A temporary residence permit is granted upon request for a period longer than 3 months and up to a maximum of 3 years, for a specific purpose such as studying. The application must be submitted in person no later than the last day of your legal stay based on a visa. When submitting the application, you are required to provide fingerprints. If you cannot appear in person, you may send the application by post. However, if you submit the application by post or fail to appear in person, you will be required to attend an appointment within 7 days of receiving a summons, or your application may be left unprocessed.
Required Documents:
application form: You can fill out the application form here
photographs: 4 current "biometric" photos.
passport: Photocopy of a valid passport, including all filled pages (original must be available for inspection).
stamp duty payment: Confirmation of payment for the stamp duty on the issuance of the permit - check here
university certificate: Proof of admission to or continuation of studies.
proof of tuition payment: Evidence of payment if tuition fees are applicable.
health insurance: Policy confirming private health insurance covering hospitalization costs in Poland (foreign policies must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator), or a contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ) and confirmation of ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) contribution payment for the last month. Documents should confirm insurance for at least 6 months from the submission date. For ZUS registration, an up-to-date document is required.
financial resources: Document proving sufficient financial resources to cover education, living expenses, and return costs (e.g. bank account statement or certificate from a bank in Poland, or scholarship confirmation including period and amount).
living costs: Document showing sufficient financial resources after deducting living costs (e.g. lease agreement, statement from the landlord, certificate from student dormitory).
If additional clarification is needed or if any documents are missing, you will be contacted to provide the necessary information.
Read more: https://infoopt.pl/studia-stacjonarne/
Where to submit the documents?
Małopolska Provincial Office in Kraków
Department for Foreigners
31 – 547 Kraków, ul. Przy Rondzie 6
2nd floor, room 214
Helpline INFO.OPT
Phone: +48 12 210 20 20
e-mail: info.opt@malopolska.uw.gov.pl
If you have any doubts, need help filling in your application or collecting the necessary documents, please contact our Welcome Centre!