Poland Pre-Departure Guide
Your complete checklist and guide for all essential preparations before traveling to Poland for your studies.
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An example pre-departure plan
Preparing to Study in Poland
Before you fly, you need admission to a Polish university, a type D study visa (the visa you use to enter Poland), housing, money and insurance.
Students from India and Pakistan
What to Prepare
- Study visa: Book on e-Konsulat (Poland's online visa booking site). India: hand in papers at a VFS Global visa centre (the company that takes visa papers for the embassy). Pakistan: at the Embassy of Poland in Islamabad.
- Money: Show money for living costs each month (India: PLN 1,010; Pakistan: PLN 776), plus rent, plus PLN 2,500 for the trip home.
- Housing: Book a home. Your visa file needs proof that shows the monthly cost.
- Insurance: Travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000. In Poland, you can join the National Health Fund (NFZ).
Your Pre-Departure Timeline
Before your visa
Get your admission letter from a Polish university.
Before your visa appointment
Get your papers stamped as real: apostille (India) or attestation (Pakistan). Pay tuition and book housing.
6 months to 15 days before travel
Book on e-Konsulat and hand in your papers in person.
After your visa
Then register your address and apply for your residence permit.
University Rules
Each university sets its own application dates and papers.
Check that your university is approved to take foreign students. Your residence permit depends on it.
Poland Pre-Departure Checklist
Tick these off before you fly.
Papers
Passport
Issued in the last 10 years, with 2 blank pages.
Admission letter
The original from your Polish university.
Education papers
India: apostilled (stamped as real). Pakistan: attested (checked and stamped as real) by MOFA.
Money and Home
Proof of money
Living costs each month (India: PLN 1,010; Pakistan: PLN 776), plus your rent, plus PLN 2,500 once for the trip home.
Tuition receipt
Or a letter that your study is free.
Housing proof
A lease (rental contract) or a student home (dorm) letter, with the monthly cost.
Health
Travel medical insurance
At least EUR 30,000, for your whole stay.
Language certificate
India and Pakistan: the level your university asks for. It must be at least B2 (upper-middle level of English).
Important Reminder
Plan Each Part
Open each guide for the full steps.
Emergency Number
Save this number before you land.
Important Contacts & Resources
Emergency Contacts in Poland
112 is the emergency number for police, ambulance and fire. It works from any phone with a charged battery.
Save These Contacts Before Departure
University international office
Helps with enrolment and fills in its part of your residence permit form.
Before You Fly
Save 112, the emergency number, in your phone.
Keep your university's international office contact with you.
Key Tips Before You Leave
Book your visa appointment on e-Konsulat (Poland's online visa booking site) as soon as you have your admission letter.
India: get your education papers apostilled early (an official stamp that proves they are real). The Regional Authentication Centre checks them first.
Pakistan: get your papers attested (checked and stamped as real) by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) before your appointment.
Pay tuition and keep the receipt for your visa file.
Buy travel medical insurance from an insurer that Poland approves.
Plan to apply in Poland for your residence permit (the permit to stay longer) before your visa ends.
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