Poland Student Residence Permit
Students from India and Pakistan enter Poland on a type D study visa (the visa you use to travel to Poland and study). To stay longer, you apply in Poland for a temporary residence permit for studies. The first one is usually for 15 months.
PolandPOLAND RESIDENCE CARD
Type: Student
ID#: Example
ID: Example
Status: Student
Example: Master's programme
Institution: Polish university
Your residence card (karta pobytu) lets you live in Poland while you study.
How to Keep Your Permit Valid
The permit is tied to your studies. Stay a full-time student and follow the rules below.
Type D Visa vs. Residence Permit
A sticker in your passport
You get it from the embassy before you travel
Valid for at most one year
A residence card (karta pobytu)
You apply for it in Poland, online
First permit usually 15 months
Papers to Keep Safe
Residence card
Your residence card (karta pobytu). With it, you can enter Poland without a visa.
Admission letter
The admission letter from your Polish university.
Address registration
Proof that you registered your address.
Proof of tuition payment
Receipts for each semester or year you paid.
Rules Warning
What You Must Do
Stay a full-time student
Your university tells the voivode if you lose your student status.
Report changes
If you stop studying, you must tell the voivode in writing within 15 working days.
Register your address
Register your address (zameldowanie) at the municipal office (town hall) by your 30th day living at that address at the latest.
Keep health insurance
Keep health insurance for your whole stay. Foreign students can join the National Health Fund (NFZ) for PLN 55.80 a month in 2026.
Apply again on time
Apply for the next one before your card ends.
Permits for Students and Graduates
You come on a type D study visa, then switch to a residence permit in Poland. After you graduate, you can get a short permit to look for work.
Key Time Limits
Get your university's part
Before you apply
Apply on MOS
While your visa is valid
Visit the office
You get a call, and your visit is at least 7 days later
Decision
60 days after you hand in all the papers
Collect your card
After approval
Permit Types
Temporary residence permit for studies
For full-time bachelor's, master's, a single long master's course with no separate bachelor's, a doctoral school, or a preparatory course.
Key Requirements:
- Admission to full-time study at an approved university
- Proof of tuition payment for the semester or year, if your study is paid
- Health insurance
- Polish zloty (PLN) 1,010 a month for living costs, not counting rent, plus PLN 2,500 once for the trip home
- Stamp duty (the government fee for the permit) of PLN 340, plus PLN 100 for the card
Permit to look for work or start a business
For graduates of a Polish university who want to look for a job or start a business in Poland.
Key Requirements:
- A diploma from a Polish university, just finished
- You have not yet found an employer
- Health insurance
- Enough money for living costs and the trip home (the same amounts as the study permit)
- Stamp duty of PLN 340
A later permit for studies
The permit is not renewed by itself. You apply again for each new permit.
Key Requirements:
- You are still a full-time student
- Proof of tuition payment, if your study is paid
- Health insurance and enough money
Your First Permit, Step by Step
Get your university's part
On MOS, type in your university's email address. The university then fills in and signs its part of the form.
Duration: Before you apply
Apply on MOS
Fill in the form, upload your papers and proof of payment, then sign and send it.
Duration: While your visa is valid
Visit the office
The voivode's office (the office of the head of your region) calls you in to give fingerprints and show your passport.
Duration: You get a call, and your visit is at least 7 days later
Decision
The voivode (the head of your region) decides on your permit.
Duration: 60 days after you hand in all the papers
Collect your card
Pick up your residence card (karta pobytu) at the voivode's office.
Duration: After approval
How to Apply and What Comes Next
You apply in Poland, online, before your visa ends. After your degree, you can switch to a job-search permit.
First Permit
Arrive on your visa
Enter Poland on your type D study visa.
You must be in Poland, with a legal stay, to apply.
Set up your login
Get a trusted profile or electronic signature to log in through login.gov.pl.
You need it to sign the form.
Pay the fees
Pay PLN 340 stamp duty and PLN 100 for the card by bank transfer.
The card fee is PLN 100. A reduced fee of PLN 50 may apply to eligible students. Ask the voivode's office if this is you.
Apply on MOS
Fill in the form, add your university's email, upload papers and sign.
Download the official receipt (UPO).
Visit and collect
Give fingerprints at the voivode's office, then collect your card once approved.
You visit the office at most twice.
Getting Your Next Permit
Check your end date
Apply for the next permit before your card ends.
Get your university's part
Your university signs its part of the new form on MOS.
Apply on MOS
Upload your papers and proof of the fees, then sign and send.
Visit and collect
Go to the voivode's office when called, then collect your new card.
Your Options After You Graduate
| From Status | To Status | Requirements | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit for studies | Permit to look for work or start a business | Polish diploma, enough money, health insurance, PLN 340 | 9 months long | Given once, right after your studies. Not if you already found an employer. |
| Temporary residence permit for studies | Next permit for studies | Still a full-time student, enough money, insurance | - | Apply early. |
Papers for Your Permit
You upload scans on MOS. The office may later ask for the original papers or copies checked by an official.
Upload with your application
Application form
Filled in on MOS in Polish and signed with a trusted profile or electronic signature.
University's part
The extra page your university fills in and signs online.
Passport scan
A scan of every page of your valid passport, as a PDF.
Photo
A recent digital photo (JPG), without head covering or dark glasses.
Proof of payment
Proof that you paid the PLN 340 stamp duty and the PLN 100 card fee.
Proof the office may ask for
Health insurance
NFZ insurance, or a letter from an insurer that it pays your medical costs in Poland.
Proof of money
Money for living costs (PLN 1,010 a month) and the trip home (PLN 2,500). Bank papers must be under 1 month old.
Housing costs
Your lease (rental contract) and latest bills, or a statement of your housing costs.
Tuition receipt
Proof you paid for the semester or year, if your study is paid.
Papers for the Graduate Job-Search Permit
Permit to look for work after graduation
- Valid passport
- Diploma from a Polish university
- Health insurance
- Proof of money for living costs and the trip home
- Proof of where you live, such as a lease
- Proof of the PLN 340 stamp duty
How Long the Permit Takes
These are the times for the study permit.
Permit Steps
Prepare
Gather your photo, passport scan and proof of payments.
Key Activities:
- Get a trusted profile (a free online ID for signing) or an electronic signature.
- Pay PLN 340 and PLN 100 by bank transfer.
Hand in
Your university signs its part, then you sign and send.
Key Activities:
- Apply on MOS while your visa is valid.
- Download the official receipt (UPO).
Office visit
The voivode's office calls you in.
Key Activities:
- Show your passport.
- Give fingerprints and a sample signature.
Waiting
The office checks your file.
Key Activities:
- Send any papers the office asks for. You get at least 14 days to send them.
Decision
You get a written decision.
Key Activities:
- Collect your residence card at the office.
- If refused, you can ask for the decision to be checked again (an appeal) within 14 days.
What Can Slow It Down
Missing papers
The 60 days start only when you have handed in all the papers. Missing papers delay the start.
Many applications
A large number of applications can make it take longer.
Missing the office visit
If you do not come for fingerprints, the office stops your case.
Decision Times
Typical Cases
Complex Cases
Keeping Your Permit Valid
A few habits keep your permit safe.
What to Do Each Year
Apply on time
Apply for each new permit yourself.
Before your card ends.
Stay enrolled
Your university reports it if you are removed from the student list.
Full-time study only.
Keep insurance
You need health insurance for each permit.
Pay your NFZ fee every month.
Register your address
At the municipal office (city hall).
Each time you move.
Mistakes to Avoid
Plan Ahead
Put your card end date in your calendar. Start your next application early, because the university must sign its part first.
Common Questions About the Poland Student Residence Permit
Short answers on getting and keeping your temporary residence permit for studies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Useful Links
Need More Help?
Your university's international office handles the university's part of your permit form.
Emergency Number in Poland
Call 112 in an emergency. It works from any phone with a charged battery.
- 112: emergency number for police, ambulance and fire
Complete Guide to Poland
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