Path to staying
- Study12 months, renewable
- Post-study workup to 9 months
- Permanent residencyafter 5 years
- Citizenshipafter 10 years
Overview
- Country
- Poland
- Visa name
- National Visa for Studies (D Type)
- Local name
- Wiza krajowa w celu odbycia studiow
- Status
- Active
- Duration
- 12 months
- Max duration
- 12 months
- Renewable
- Yes
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.
Tuition and costs
- Tuition policy
- Mixed
- Free condition
- Free for Polish citizens, EU/EEA citizens, and Karta Polaka holders studying in Polish-language programs at public universities.
- Tuition range
- $0 – $5,400/year
- Proof of funds
- $2,520/month
- Funds type
- Bank statement
- Scholarships
- Available
Polish-language programs at public universities: free for Polish citizens, EU/EEA nationals, and Karta Polaka holders. English-taught programs: EUR 2,000-5,000/yr. Medical programs in English: EUR 8,000-15,000/yr. Private universities: EUR 1,500-6,000/yr. Poland is one of Europe's most affordable study destinations.
Work rights during study
- Work allowed
- Yes
- Hours
- Unlimited
- Permission
- Automatic
Full-time students at accredited institutions do not need a separate work permit and do not have a statutory hour cap. Study workload remains the practical limit. Non-degree or non-accredited study routes may have different work-permit rules.
Post-study work options
| Program | Type | Duration | Min degree | Work | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temporary Residence Permit for Job Seeking | Job seeker | 9 mo | Bachelors | Unrestricted | No |
Language requirements
| Test | Purpose | Language | Min score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Polish Language Proficiency | Admission | Polish | B2 | Required for Polish-taught programs. B2 level certificate issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language. Some universities accept their own language test. |
| IELTS Academic | Admission | English | 5.5 | Required for English-taught programs. Lower requirements than Western Europe: 5.5-6.5 typical range. TOEFL iBT 72-90 also accepted. |
Fees and costs
| Fee | Type | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Visa (D) Application Fee | Application | $231 | One time |
| Temporary Residence Permit (Karta Pobytu) | Permit | $92 | One time |
Dependents and family
- Dependents
- Allowed
- Restriction
- Spouse and children. Family members apply for their own visa/permit.
- Spouse work
- Unrestricted
- Conditions
- Spouse with temporary residence permit for family reunification has work access.
Long-term pathway
- Post-study visa
- Available
- Work permit
- Possible
- Permanent residency
- After 5 years
- Citizenship
- After 10 years
- Study time counts
- 50% credit
How to apply
- Method
- In person
- Processing
- 15-30 days
- Interview
- Not required
- Official site
- www.gov.pl
- Health insurance
- Required (buy separately)
Notes and caveats
D visa valid for up to 1 year; for longer programs, convert to temporary residence permit (Karta Pobytu) after arrival. Karta Polaka (Polish Charter) holders: free tuition at public universities in Polish, simplified admission, eligible for scholarships on equal terms with Polish citizens, and fast-track to permanent residency and citizenship. PESEL number needed for most administrative procedures. Insurance must cover EUR 30,000 minimum including repatriation. Consular visa fee increased to EUR 200 as of January 2026 (new consular fee tariff).
Also in Poland
Last verified May 3, 2026 Source