Which studies

A visa for the purpose of studies is a national visa with the "student" endorsement. It is issued when you want to start or continue full-time first-cycle studies, second-cycle studies, long-cycle master's studies or education in a doctoral school (Art. 60 para. 1 point 9 and para. 3 point 1 of the Act on Foreigners). A visa for this purpose can be issued only as a national visa (Art. 60 para. 2 point 3).

Conditions

From 27 April 2026 the consul can issue the visa when (Art. 64a para. 1):

  • you submit a certificate from the institution providing the studies confirming admission to the studies or continuation of the studies - the template is set by the regulation of the Minister of Science and Higher Education (Journal of Laws 2026, item 686),
  • if the studies are paid, you submit proof of payment of the fee for a semester or a year (Art. 144 para. 1 point 1),
  • you have sufficient means of subsistence, for the return journey and for the costs of the studies (Art. 144 para. 1 point 2 letter b),
  • the institution is approved by the minister responsible for internal affairs or - if it is not subject to approval - no ban on admitting foreigners has been issued against it (Art. 144a para. 1).

Application and deadline

You submit the application in person at the consulate, with documents confirming the purpose and conditions of stay, means of subsistence, insurance and the intention to leave after the end of the visa (Art. 77 para. 1). The visa or a refusal decision is issued within 30 days of submitting the application with the documents (Art. 65 para. 1f). If something is missing, you have 7 days from submitting the application to supplement the documents (Art. 65 para. 1g). A national visa is valid for one year at most (Art. 59 para. 3).

When the consul refuses

Besides the general grounds in Art. 65 para. 1, for example a lack of funds or doubts about the purpose of stay, a visa is also refused when (Art. 65 para. 1a):

  • the institution operates mainly to facilitate illegal entry or stay of foreigners,
  • you apply for a further visa and the circumstances indicate that the previous one was used for another purpose.

A further visa can be refused when you have been struck off the list of students or doctoral students (Art. 65 para. 1b). The university notifies the authority that issued the visa (Art. 65 para. 1ba). The details of a refusal are described in the guide visa refusal.

Student work

A full-time student at an approved institution may work without a work permit and without a declaration (§ 1 point 12 of the regulation, Journal of Laws 2025, item 1620). See: when work is possible without a permit.

Longer stay

After entry you can apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studies (Art. 144). You submit the application in MOS (the Polish case handling module) no later than on the last day of your legal stay (Art. 105 para. 1). See: how to submit an application in MOS.