PL
Poland · Wiza krajowa w celu odbycia studiow · apply in person
Poland's D-type national visa for international students pursuing higher education. One of Europe's most affordable study destinations with growing English-taught program offerings. Karta Polaka (Polish Charter) holders enjoy tuition-free education at public universities. Low cost of living combined with EU membership makes Poland increasingly attractive.
Full-time Polish-language studies at public institutions are tuition-free for Polish citizens and foreign students entitled to study on Polish-citizen terms, including EU/EEA citizens and Karta Polaka holders. Other foreign students generally pay tuition; official Study in Poland guidance gives an indicative range of EUR 2,000-6,000 per year depending on institution and program, with MBA programs typically higher. Individual institution prices and exemptions vary.
Full-time students holding a national visa with the “student” annotation may work without a separate work permit. There is no national weekly hours cap stated in the official sources. Eligibility depends on the visa annotation and study status; this rule should not be generalized to every course or visa purpose.
| Program | Type | Duration | Min degree | Work | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Permit for Job Seeking | Job seeker | 9 mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accepted proof of proficiency in the language of instruction | Visa | — | B2 | Since 1 July 2025, covered non-EU applicants to degree studies must prove at least B2 in the language of instruction; the accepted document types are regulated. Exemptions apply to some students, including second-cycle students and students continuing studies in Poland. |
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | — | An official consular checklist lists IELTS 6.5 as a recommended example for English-taught study. It is not a universal national minimum; the statutory requirement is B2 in the language of instruction, supported by an accepted document, and institutions set their own requirements. |
| TOEFL iBT | Admission | English | — | An official consular checklist lists TOEFL iBT 79 as a recommended example for English-taught study; requirements and accepted evidence depend on the applicable rules and institution. |
| Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) | Admission | English | — | An official consular checklist lists CAE 176 as a recommended example for English-taught study; requirements and accepted evidence depend on the applicable rules and institution. |
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Visa (D) Application Fee | Application | $224 | One time |
| Temporary Residence Permit (Karta Pobytu) | Permit | $87 | One time |
| Residence Card Issuance | Card | $26 | One time |
D visa allows stay for more than 90 days, up to one year, and permits short visits in other Schengen states within the 90/180-day limit. For longer studies, students generally need a temporary residence permit. D-visa insurance must meet the national requirements, including medical travel insurance of at least EUR 30,000 where applicable. Standard national visa fee is EUR 200 from 1 January 2026, subject to exemptions and consular implementation. Study-period residence counts at half rate toward the five-year residence period for an EU long-term resident permit; eligibility has additional conditions and the study permit itself is not an eligible final status. Naturalization timelines depend on later residence status and individual circumstances.
Last verified Oct 9, 2026 Last changed Oct 9, 2026 Source
removed routine visa renewal and the unsupported nationwide 15-30 day processing estimate; longer study stays usually use a temporary residence permit and processing details vary by post (https://www.gov.pl/web/diplomacy/visas).
Your feedback has been submitted. We read every message.
You've reached the page limit for guests. Signing up is free.
Already have an account? Log in