A residence card for students in Poland allows them to legally reside in the country for the duration of their studies. It gives them the right to work officially and cross the border multiple times without additional visas. This is a convenient document for those who plan to stay in Poland longer than the validity period of a student visa.
(document allowing temporary residence)
issued to those persons who intend to permanently reside in Poland.
this is one of the documents that allows a foreigner to legally reside in Poland.
Członek Sądu Koleżeńskiego SPPON (Stowarzyszenie Pomorskie Pośredników w Obrocie Nieruchomościami) Licencja 29826
Author and teacher of a course for real estate agents
Students wanting to study in Poland must obtain a special permit from the Polish authorities. This permit is called a Student Residence Permit or, in Polish, zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu kształcenia się na studiach. This document grants foreigners and stateless persons the right to legally reside in the country for the duration of their studies, for a minimum of one year.
Citizens from all countries outside of the EU, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein must obtain this permit if they intend to enroll in or continue higher education in Poland for an extended period.
The main benefit of a Student Residence Permit is that it allows you to not only study but also work legally in Poland without any additional permits.
Advantages of a student residence permit:
Students with a Student Residence Permit no longer need to apply for a student visa. Therefore, if you want to study in Poland, it’s highly recommended to get this permit, as it’s key to your legal stability in the country.
To get a student’s temporary residence permit in Poland, or zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu kształcenia się na studiach, you must apply at the **voivodeship office (urząd) of your official place of residence. You’ll need to submit the application and all documents required by law.
The procedure isn’t overly complicated, but it does require careful preparation. You must meet the requirements of Polish law, gather the necessary documents, and plan your application submission to avoid becoming an illegal resident. This is especially important for foreigners who don’t know Polish.
To ensure everything is done correctly, you should find out the conditions and procedures for submitting documents in advance. It’s also wise to consult with experts to avoid mistakes and minimize the risk of rejection.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
The Department for Foreigners’ Affairs can deny a Student Residence Permit. This often happens if you provide false information, have missing documents, or if there are errors in them. To correctly fill out your application and prepare your documents, it’s best to consult with experts.
Real Consult‘s migration law consultants provide professional advice and support on all matters related to the legalization process in Poland and obtaining residence permits.
If you’re interested in the residence permit, including which documents you need, how to apply, and where to submit your application, our experts can explain everything. We also offer a range of services: help with finding housing in Poland, assistance with university admissions (both public and private), sworn translations of documents, and full support throughout the residence permit process. We’ll help you prepare your documents correctly and submit your application on time in Gdańsk, Kraków, Warsaw, or other cities. With our support, you’ll overcome language barriers, avoid common mistakes, and reduce risks during all legal procedures. To get a consultation, call us, send a message via Telegram, Viber, or WhatsApp, or fill out the form on our website.
Since this permit is for temporary residence for the purpose of higher education, the primary ground for obtaining it is the intent to study in Poland.
A Student Residence Permit is issued based on the following:
This means that at the time of submitting your documents for the Student Residence Permit, you must already be legally residing in Poland. The basis for your legal temporary stay can be a previously obtained student visa or entering Poland under a visa-free regime.
Ukrainians who moved to Poland after February 24, 2022, and received PESEL UKR status under a special law, do not need a student card. Poland provides assistance to Ukrainian citizens affected by the war, allowing them to study at Polish universities on the same terms as Poles, without additional permits. These conditions are valid as long as the relevant Polish law is in effect. It’s best to consult with experts to determine whether you need to obtain a temporary residence permit for studies in your specific case.
All other categories of foreigners, including Ukrainians who were not granted UKR temporary protection status, are required to apply for a student residence permit to study legally in Poland.
The voivodeship has the right to reject an application and deny a student’s residence permit for various reasons. Most often, the student is at fault for not complying with legal requirements, violating residency rules, or submitting an incomplete set of documents.
Common reasons for temporary residence permit denial include:
A denial can also be issued if there’s a suspicion that your goal in Poland is not to study but, for example, to work illegally.
Similarly, a issued student residence permit can be canceled at any time if you quit or are expelled from your studies.
What to do to avoid a denial from the voivodeship:
If you are denied a temporary residence permit for studies, regardless of the reason, you can file an appeal and reapply. However, this requires legal assistance to ensure you do everything correctly and increase your chances of a successful outcome.
To get a Student Residence Permit, you need to understand the laws and the application procedure to meet all requirements and deadlines. Real Consult‘s experts can advise you on any issues regarding legalization and document processing in Poland. We provide necessary support during the permit application process and help you avoid mistakes, confirm your purpose of stay, and demonstrate financial capability. You can get a consultation online or in person in Gdańsk, Kraków, Warsaw, or smaller cities like Gdynia, Reda, Rumia, Sopot, Borkowo, Żukowo, Pruszcz-Gdański, etc. If you need clarification on Polish laws, your rights and responsibilities, and help with preparing and submitting documents, contact us in a way that is convenient for you.
You must submit your application and documents for the student residence permit to the Department for Foreigners’ Affairs of the Voivodeship Office (Urząd do spraw cudzoziemców) at your place of actual residence.
Many offices require an appointment. This means you must first register online and then come to the office in person on the specified day to submit your documents. You can prepare for this procedure in advance. This preparation involves not only writing the application and gathering the documents but also clarifying all legal nuances to be ready for any scenario.
The law clearly defines the list of documents required for a Student Residence Permit. You must submit the following to the office:
All international students must also get a sworn translation of documents issued in another country into Polish and attach it to their application. Without this, the student card will not be issued.
If you don’t have housing, want to check your status, or need help preparing documents for a temporary residence permit for studies, contact our specialists by phone, on our website, or via messenger. We handle all the bureaucratic matters, prepare sworn translations, and help you correctly draft and submit your application on time.
To obtain a zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu kształcenia się na studiach, you must meet the requirements of Polish law regarding legal stay, purpose of stay, place of residence, and more.
Since you must submit the documents for a student residence permit in person, you must be in Poland legally. This can be with an open student visa or visa-free travel.
Ukrainians with temporary protection status (PESEL UKR) cannot apply for this type of card because they already have the right to study at Polish universities. Foreign students in part-time programs must obtain a temporary residence permit based on other circumstances. You can find out more about this by consulting with Real Consult’s specialists.
Since you’re specifically interested in a Student Residence Permit, you must provide state authorities with evidence that you are already studying or will be studying at a Polish university in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, doctoral, or preparatory program. The authorities can check whether you are actually enrolled and attending classes. If there’s no proof of university enrollment, the permit will be denied. If it’s found that you are consistently absent or have been expelled, the issued permit will be revoked.
Another requirement is that you must have housing in Poland. To prove this, you need to provide a rental agreement or another document, not just a random address. This is also verified.
Despite your temporary stay abroad for studies, you must prove your financial capability, as you will be living in Poland for at least one year. A student residence permit is issued for this period plus three months. You must have a stable source of income or savings of approximately 1000 zł per month.
You must submit your application and documents to the Department for Foreigners’ Affairs before your legal stay in Poland expires, but no earlier than 90 days before that date. After submission, a stamp will be placed in your passport, confirming your right to stay in the country legally. However, leaving Poland during the review of your case is prohibited.
To meet deadlines, comply with all legal requirements, avoid errors in your documents, and prevent your residence permit from being denied, get help from specialists. This will not only help you understand the laws and the application process but also protect your interests.
With a Student Residence Permit for studies, you’ll gain many benefits for a stable and fulfilling life in Poland. So, contact us by phone, via Telegram, Viber, or WhatsApp, or on our website to ensure you do everything correctly without unnecessary hassle and stress.
