5 steps to legalise your stay in Poland – STEP 1: Collect your documents

Today we will present a list of documents necessary for application for a temporary residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals.

Let’s start with checking if this issue applies to you.

Entering the territory of Poland:

You can enter Polish territory if you have a valid travel document (for example a passport), and also a visa, if required.

List of countries, citizens of which are exempted from a visa and the rules of visa-free regime can be found here.

  • Schengen Visa (marked with C symbol) – is issued when the planned stay on the territory of the Member States of the Schengen area does not exceed 90 days within each 180-day period.
  • National visa (i.e. long-term – marked with D symbol) – entitles to entry and a continuous stay in the territory of Poland or to several consecutive stays which jointly last longer than 90 days, the period of validity of a national visa cannot exceed 1 year.

If you are in Poland and have one of the above documents, you should apply for the temporary residence permit before it expires.

Let’s start with an absolutely basic set of documents:

  • Filled and signed application form – 2 copies
  • A valid travel document (passport) – 2 copies + original to inspection
  • 4 current, colored photos
  • Confirmation of payment of the stamp duty (340 PLN)

To obtain a residence permit for study purposes, you must also attach the following documents:

  • A confirmation from the university of acceptance for studies or continuation of studies, or a certificate of participation in a training course
  • A proof of payment of the required tuition/course fee, if they are payable
  • Documents confirming having health insurance or coverage by the insurer of the cost of treatment in Poland. Please make sure that your private policy (travel medical insurance) is provided by an insurer on the list of insurers accepted by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The public insurance with ZUS/NFZ is also accepted.
  • An evidence of sufficient funds to cover the costs of living and return travel to the country of origin or residence, and the cost of tuition/training course
  • Transcript of records
  • Confirmation of residence in Poland (for example a flat rental agreement) with information about utilities expenses (such as electricity, water, waste disposal, heating, and sewage)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: All documents drawn up in a foreign language should be submitted together with their translations into Polish made by a sworn translator, so this is an extra cost for you. Then it is better to get as many documents as possible in Polish – e.g. a lease agreement.

You can search the sworn translator through the website of the Ministry of Justice.

How to collect all of these documents? It’s easy!

  • If you intend to apply for the residence permit in Warsaw, you should register your profile and case at the online portal for foreigners – inPOL. Here you will also find an application form for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of taking up/continuing studies. Complete it online, upload the required attachments, save and print.

Instruction how to register an account and submit a new application can be found here. Please also check the frequently asked questions – inPOL.

  • If you have a Polish bank account, you can pay the duty stamp before your appointment and print the payment confirmation (in Polish).

Transfer details:
Centrum Obsługi Podatnika
ul. Obozowa 57, 01-161 Warszawa
21 1030 1508 0000 0005 5000 0070

You can also do it in the Department for Foreigners, but then you will have to complete the form that you will get there. The instructions on how to do it is here.

  • You can get a confirmation of acceptance for studies or continuation of studies at your Faculty’s Office.
  • The payment of the required tuition/course fee can be proved by the bank transfer confirmation + statement from the University how much the tuition fee is and how much student has paid so far (with the exact date of payment)

Documents that confirm having sufficient funds are:

– certificate of the limit on your credit card issued by the bank which has issued the credit card
– certificate of having funds on an account from a bank based in Poland
– certificate of awarding the scholarship
– certificate of employment and amount of earnings

This means that you must ask for a specific certificate from your bank/ university/ or employer.

Certificates must be issued not earlier than one month before the date of submission of the application for a temporary residence permit.

  • Transcript of records also can be taken from your Faculty’s Office.
  • If you live in a dormitory, ask the administration for confirmation of your residence. If you rent a room / flat, you must provide the Office with a lease agreement. Remember that it must include information about utilities expenses (such as electricity, water, waste disposal, heating, and sewage).

You can find more information about the procedure here.

We hope that after reading this information, the issue of the set of documents has become clear to you. Tomorrow we will explain to you what ‘Sufficient Financial Resources’ are.