Poland Student Visa (2027): Requirements, Proof of Funds, Fee, Processing Time

What you need

For the national type D visa: a completed application form and a recent biometric photo; a passport valid for the intended stay with at least two blank pages; an acceptance letter from a Polish university; a certificate of proficiency in the language of instruction where the university requires one; proof of sufficient financial means, such as a bank statement, scholarship letter or parental sponsorship declaration; medical travel insurance valid in Poland with at least EUR 30,000 of cover, or proof of Polish public health insurance; and proof of accommodation, such as a dormitory or tenancy agreement. From 1 July 2025, an applicant whose secondary school diploma was not issued in the EU, EFTA or OECD area and is not an IB diploma must also obtain written confirmation from NAWA that the diploma entitles them to study in Poland.

For the temporary residence permit for study, applied for after arrival when the course runs longer than the visa's validity: the university's certificate of enrolment; proof of financial resources exceeding PLN 1,010 a month for living costs, net of accommodation, plus a return-travel amount; proof of accommodation for the whole period; proof of health insurance; four photographs; and the PLN 340 stamp duty for the application, with a further PLN 100 for the residence card once granted.

How to apply

1. Get an acceptance letter from a Polish university through its own recruitment platform.
2. Arrange medical travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000 in Poland, and gather proof of financial means for the visa.
3. Register with E-KONSULAT (e-konsulat.gov.pl) and book an appointment at the Polish consulate or outsourced visa centre covering your place of residence.
4. Submit the application in person with the required documents and pay the visa fee.
5. Wait for the decision, typically around 15 working days and up to 30 days for a more complex case, then collect the passport with the national visa affixed, valid for up to one year.
6. After arriving in Poland, if the course runs longer than the visa's validity, apply at the local voivodeship office for a temporary residence permit for study before the visa expires: submit the enrolment certificate, proof of funds, accommodation and insurance, and pay the PLN 340 stamp duty, then attend fingerprinting.
7. Collect the residence card once issued, paying the PLN 100 card fee; the first permit for study is granted for up to the period needed and capped at 3 years, or 2 years where the programme is covered by an EU or multilateral mobility scheme.

Why applications are refused

Consulates and voivodeship offices do not publish one fixed list of refusal grounds. A national visa application can be refused for an incomplete or inconsistent file, a passport that does not meet the validity or blank-page rules, insurance below the EUR 30,000 minimum, financial means that do not cover the stated period, or doubt about the applicant's intention to leave Poland at the end of the stay. A temporary residence permit for study can additionally be refused if the applicant is not making genuine progress in the programme, such as failing to enrol on time or having no realistic prospect of completing the course in the time set.