Poland Study Visa – Required Documents and Application Process

In the last decade, international students have explored the options of studying in English countries like the US and the UK. Students worldwide are now choosing many European countries as their study-abroad destinations. The reasons for choosing European countries are multiple. The quality of education is, of course, the first one. Most European countries have a highly efficient and advanced education system focusing on research and innovation. 

European countries, in general, tend to be culturally rich and satisfied, which gives a happy life to residents. Countries like Finland and Denmark are also among the happiest countries in the world. Poland has recently become popular among international students for higher education. Poland also has a shortage of skilled professionals, which creates several job opportunities for international students. The application process for universities in Poland is very rigorous, and thus, only the best students get admission. After getting admitted to a university, you will need a Poland study visa to stay in Poland. 

In this blog, we will discuss the documents required, the application process, fees, and other important questions on study visas for Poland. 

Do you need a Poland Study visa?

The first question that comes to all international students is whether they will need a study visa for their stay in Poland or not. The Polish government has clearly stated who needs and who doesn’t need a study visa to study an educational program in Poland. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss national, then you do not require a study visa. However, if your stay is longer than three months, you need to inform the authorities about your stay. 

If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national, then you will need a student visa. Remember that you will not be able to stay in any other country besides Poland with a study visa. 

Documents needed for Poland Study Visa

The visa process for any country is boring. You need to follow all the steps and requirements clearly to avoid rejection. The main document that you will have for your study visa will be the application form for the study visa. You will need various supporting documents to be submitted with the application form. 

Here is the list of all the supporting documents with the format in which they should be submitted:

Application Form 

The first document you need is the application form. You can easily get this form either by visiting the nearest Polish embassy near you or from the official website of the Polish government. Fill up the form correctly with all the details. This is the first document you need for Poland Study Visa.

2 Passport Sized Photos

The next thing you need is two passport-sized photos of yourself. These photos must be recent ones, and the image should be clear and of good quality. The dimensions of the photos must be 3.5cm by 4.5cm.

Passport 

Your passport is also one of the most important things you need for the Poland study visa. The passport must be valid. Many people have confusion regarding the validity of their passports. You can check the validity of your passport by checking the issue date. If your passport was issued in the last ten years, then it is a valid one. Apart from the validity check, you need to make sure that it stays valid for at least three months after your stay is completed. This is the most important document you need for Poland Study Visa.

Also, Read: Finland Study Visa

Health Insurance

One of the most neglected documents by international students is health insurance. You need to have student health insurance that stays valid for the entire duration of your stay. It should cover all your expenses in case of an emergency. It should also be valid in the entire Schengen area. 

Proof Of Accommodation 

The Polish government needs to make sure that you have a place to stay for your visa duration in Poland. You can choose to live in dorms, apartments, or at a relative’s place. In case you live in an apartment or a dorm, you need to submit the official contract between you and the owner of the apartment stating that you are permitted to stay there. If you are planning to live at a friend’s or a relative’s place, then you need to submit a letter of invitation from the host, which should state that you will be allowed to stay there. 

Proof Of Financial Stability

You need to prove that you have enough funds to support yourself during your stay in Poland. The minimum funds that you need to have is 701 PLN per month. This amount is set by the government as this is enough for students to sustain themselves for a month. Apart from this, you will need to have 2500 PLN for your return ticket to India. You can calculate the total fund you need to show by simply taking into account the number of months you are going to stay and the amount you need for a month. 

University Acceptance Letter 

The Poland study visa is for students who have undertaken a study program in Poland. Thus, you have to submit proof of acceptance from the Polish university that you have been admitted to. The acceptance letter should clearly state your details like name, age, etc., and it should also state the duration and length of your study program. 

Proof of Language Proficiency

The other document needed for the Poland study visa is proof of English or Polish proficiency. This can be in the form of a certificate. For English proficiency, you can take tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, etc. 

Scholarship (if any)

Many students receive a scholarship that covers a part of their studies. Some students may get scholarships that cover the cost of their studies, including the travel cost. In this case, you need to submit the official proof of your scholarship, and it should provide you with at least EUR 631 per month. 

Relationship Proof 

If you are married, then submit the marriage certificate. This aids in the process of bringing your spouse with you during your stay. 

Application Fees Paid Receipt

Once you have paid the application fees, attach the fee receipt to the application. 

Also, Read: BSc Nursing in Canada

Poland Study Visa Application Process

The application steps are as follows:

• Find the nearest Polish embassy and fix an appointment.
• Collect the application form for the study visa and fill it up and collect all the supporting documents as mentioned in the section above. 
• Submit the application form and the documents to the embassy. Make sure that all the details are filled correctly.
• Wait for a response. Usually, you will hear from the embassy regarding your application via phone or text message.

Poland Study Visa Processing Time

The embassy takes some time to process your visa requests to check if all the documents are correct. For the Polish study visa, the processing time is 15 days. In rare cases, this may extend to 2-3 months. 

How Long Can A Student Stay In Poland With a Study Visa?

The study visa is valid for three months. If you wish to stay longer than three months, then you will need to apply for a long-term Poland study visa. You may need to apply for a temporary residence permit first if you want to extend your short-term study visa. 

How Many Hours Can A Student Work With A study visa?

The Polish government allows international students to work along with their studies. You can thus work for a maximum of 20 hours per week in a part-time job. You may work full-time during breaks. Remember that you should focus more on your studies than work, as the motive of your student visa is a study program. You need to pass the exams in time to ensure that your visa gets renewed. 

Can your Family Come Along With You?

Yes, your family members can come with you. For this, they have to apply for a residence permit as an accompanying family member. You will need to show proof of financial funds enough for the stay of all your family members. Your family members can work, too, if you have a temporary residence permit. 

Is An Extension Of The Poland Study Visa Possible?

Yes, if your studies are taking longer than expected, then you can extend the visa to the length of your studies. For this, you will first need to apply for a temporary residence permit once your visa expires. If this way isn’t possible for you, then you will need to come to your home country and reapply for a visa. An extension to a temporary residence permit isn’t possible. If you need to stay more, then you will have to reapply for a temporary residence permit. 

Conclusion

Poland Study Visa: Poland has become a popular choice for many international students who wish to study abroad. Poland provides high-quality education and research-based learning. You must sort out various things when you think of studying abroad. One of the most important things is a study visa. The application process for a Poland study visa can be tiring, but with all the important information in this blog, you can apply for the visa smoothly. All the best for your future endeavors!

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