IMMIGRATION RULES
Visa
If you are EU/EEA citizen all you need is card id or passport to stay legally in Poland.
As an EU/EEA student, you have the right to live in Poland for the duration of your studies if you are enrolled in an approved educational establishment, have sufficient income to live without needing income support, and have comprehensive health insurance cover.
During the first 3 months of your stay, you are not required to register your residence. After 3 months, you may be required to register your residence with local authorities and obtain a document confirming your right to stay.
If you are a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, you must get a student visa at your nearest Polish embassy/consulate. The steps you must follow to apply for a Poland student visa are:
- Find the nearest Polish consulate or embassy to set up an appointment. You can set up an appointment through the E-Konsulat website of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Complete the application form through the E-Konsulat website. To be able to study in Poland and get a valid student visa, you need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Must have completed secondary level education.
- Must have valid Leaving Certificate which gives confirmation that you are eligible to apply in a University. After you arrive in Poland, you must apply for a temporary residence permit, preferably 45 days before your visa expires to extend your stay.
Residency Permit Card
Contact: Śląski Urząd Wojewódzki w Katowicach
e-mail: wsoim@katowice.uw.gov.pl
phone: (32) 606 32 32
RESIDENCE PERMIT for EU/EEA citizen
For a longer stay (longer than 3 months) you need to apply for registration of their stay with local voivodship office within 90 days of their arrival. They will be issued a cost-free certificate of registration with a non-limited period of validity proving their right to stay in Poland.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen
You have to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit with the local Voivodship Office
Students applying for a Residency Permit Card in Poland are required to submit the following documents:
- 3 copies of application form (completed in Polish language)
- 4 color photos sized 4.5 cm / 3.5 cm (forward-facing head shots)
- 2 photocopies of passport
- documents certifying source of income (loan certificate or bank statement)
- Dean’s letter certifying the educational status
- documents certifying no tax arrears in Poland
- copy of Medical Insurance Certificate
In order to obtain a temporary residence permit in Poland, you must submit an application to the appropriate consulate of Poland, usually found in your country of residence. If you are already in Poland, you may apply directly to the appropriate regional office of a provincial governor. Permission for temporary residence is normally granted for a maximum of 1-3 years and it can be renewed but no longer than remainder of rest of you studies. The application for a residence permit should be submitted no later than on the last day of legal residence in Poland. After filling out the application, select the appropriate queue: X – APPLYING FOR A TEMPORARY RESIDENCE CARD.
This permit is not automatically renewed – a foreigner interested in continuing their stay in Poland before its expiry should apply for a temporary residence permit, e.g. another temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying at university, or an indefinite permit (i.e., a permanent residence permit or a long-term EU resident’s residence permit), provided that it meets the requirements necessary to grant it.
Guide which says what documents you need exactly, you will find on website:
MOS – Moduł Obsługi Spraw (cudzoziemcy.gov.pl)
Click „read the information”
Links with more information: justlanded.com. gov.pl immigration-poland.com gov.pl
Office for Foreigners – Office for Foreigners – Gov.pl website (www.gov.pl)
Cost of living
- The cost of living in Katowice is generally lower than in other major cities in Poland. According to Numbeo, the approximate monthly costs for a student in Katowice are:
- Accommodation: 1000-1500 PLN
- Food: 800-1000 PLN
- Transportation: 100-200 PLN
- Entertainment: 300-500 PLN