If you intend to stay in Poland for more than 3 months and the main purpose of your stay is to take up or continue full-time studies:

Documents needed to grant the permit:

Full-time studies

First year student

• a current certificate from the university signed by the Rector or a person authorized by him to issue certificates for foreigners on the current form,
• a certificate from the university confirming payment of tuition fees for the academic year,
• a document confirming health insurance,
• a document confirming sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel for a period of 15 months, after deducting the cost of residence,
• a statement regarding the cost of residence.

You submit all documents in original/certified copy.

Student in the following year

• a current certificate from the university signed by the Rector or a person authorized by him to issue certificates for foreigners on the current form,
• a certificate from the university confirming payment of tuition fees for the academic year,
• a document confirming health insurance,
• a document confirming sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel for each month of stay of 3 months, but not more than for a period of 3 years, after deducting the cost of residence,
• a statement regarding the cost of residence.

You submit all documents in original/certified copy.

Part-time studies

• a current certificate from the university signed by the Rector or a person authorized by him to issue certificates for foreigners, specifying the date of commencement and completion of studies, the year of study, the mode of study, the field of study, as well as the number of hours of study per month,
• a certificate from the university confirming payment of tuition fees for the academic year,
• health insurance,
• document confirming sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel,
• a document confirming an assured place of residence.

You submit all documents in original/certified copy. The permit is granted for the period of study, but no longer than 12 months. The permit does not entitle you to work in Poland without a work permit.

Secondary/secondary school

• a certificate from a secondary or post-secondary school signed by a person authorized to issue certificates for foreigners, specifying the date of commencement and completion of education, the year of study, the mode of study (daytime, extramural), as well as the number of hours of study per month (e.g., class schedule) and stating whether you regularly attend classes,
• a certificate from the school confirming payment of tuition fees or exemption from payment,
• health insurance,
• a document confirming sufficient financial means to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel for up to 12 months,
• document confirming assured place of residence.

You submit all documents in original/certified copy. A temporary residence permit for the purpose of study is granted for the duration of secondary education (high school, technical school), but for no longer than 12 months.

If you intend to stay in Poland for longer than 3 months and if you are a graduate of a Polish university, and the purpose of your stay is to look for work or you plan to start a business in the territory of the Republic of Poland. You can apply for a permit only immediately after graduation.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• document confirming graduation from higher education i.e. diploma of graduation,
• documents confirming an active job search, e.g. CVs sent to potential employers, confirmations of agreed job interviews, etc..,
• document confirming health insurance,
• document confirming sufficient funds to cover living expenses in Poland and return travel for 9 months,
• document confirming an assured place of residence.

If you have a residence permit issued by another European Union member state with the annotation “scientist” and you will conduct part of your scientific research or development work in a scientific unit based in the territory of Poland approved by the minister responsible for internal affairs.

It is also possible for a scientist to enjoy long-term mobility of a scientist in the territory of Poland also on the basis of a long-term visa with the annotation “scientist”, issued by another European Union member state. If you conduct research during the period of validity of the visa, you do not need to apply for temporary residence.

If you will be conducting part of your scientific research or development work in a scientific unit in Poland approved by the minister responsible for internal affairs, you may enjoy short-term mobility of a scientist in the territory of Poland for a period not exceeding 180 days in any period of 360 days, regardless of the possibility of enjoying such mobility in other EU member states.

It is sufficient to notify the Head of the Office for Foreigners in advance of your intention to use this form of mobility. The notification to the Head of the Office for Foreigners is submitted by the host scientific unit from the country that issued the residence permit with the annotation “scientist.”

Submit the application for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of long-term mobility no later than on the last day of legal residence in the territory of Poland.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• photocopy of a residence card or long-term visa with the annotation “scientist” issued by another EU country;
• an agreement on admission of a scientist for the purpose of scientific research or development work concluded with a scientific unit based in Poland;
• a written statement of the scientific unit, in which it undertakes to bear the costs associated with the issuance and implementation of the decision to oblige the foreigner to return;
• a document confirming health insurance;
• a document confirming an assured place of residence;
• a document confirming sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel for the period of scientific research or development work, after deducting the cost of residence;
• a statement regarding the cost of residence.

If the main purpose of your stay in Poland is to complete an internship with an internship organizer approved by the Minister of Internal Affairs (the list of current internship organizers is published in the Official Gazette of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration.

Internship means the performance of tasks for the purpose of acquiring knowledge, practical skills and professional experience, not constituting the performance of work, on the basis of a contract with an internship organizer. The internship should be relevant to the field and level of studies completed or being completed.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• a document confirming the completion of higher education within the 2 years immediately preceding the application for a permit (e.g., a university diploma) or a document confirming the completion of higher education outside the European Union (e.g., a certificate from a university),
• a written internship agreement between the intern and the internship organizer,
• a written statement by the internship organizer, in which it undertakes to bear the costs associated with the issuance and execution of the return obligation decision,
• a document confirming health insurance,
• a document confirming sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel for a period of 6 months, after deducting the cost of residence,
• statement of the cost of residence,
• document confirming the place of residence provided

You should apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of carrying out European volunteer work when your main purpose of staying in Poland is to carry out European volunteer work with a volunteer organizer approved by the minister responsible for internal affairs (list of current volunteer organizers)(link is external).

Volunteering is work performed under the European Voluntary Service program without remuneration, except for reimbursement of expenses and pocket money.

Documents needed for authorization:

• a written volunteer participation agreement between the volunteer and the volunteer organizer. Check what information the volunteer participation agreement should contain,
• document confirming health insurance,
• document confirming sufficient funds to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel for a period of 9 months, after deducting the cost of residence,
• a document confirming the accommodation provided.

You may apply for a temporary residence permit due to circumstances requiring a short-term stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland if you are staying in the territory, and:

• you are obliged to appear in person before a Polish public authority, or
• Your presence on the territory of the Republic of Poland is required by an exceptional personal situation, or
• Your presence on the territory of the Republic of Poland is required by the interests of the Republic of Poland.

This permit may also be granted if you are in the territory of the Republic of Poland illegally.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• documents confirming the circumstances requiring your stay in Poland (e.g. summonses to appear before Polish public authorities, medical certificates, etc.).

A temporary residence permit due to circumstances requiring a short-term stay can be granted for up to 6 months. While staying on the basis of this permit, you cannot apply for further legalization of your stay under the usual rules, i.e. it is not possible to apply for a temporary residence permit due to another purpose of stay, permanent residence permit, long-term EU resident’s permit.

You should apply if you intend to stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland for more than 3 months and you are in a marriage recognized by Polish law with a citizen of the Republic of Poland.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• a copy of your marriage certificate (issued not earlier than 3 months before submitting the application)
• written statement of Polish citizenship, filled out by the spouse/s of the party to the proceedings ( sample in the documents to download)

You should apply if you are a foreigner, a parent of a minor child who is a Polish citizen and you intend to stay with him/her in the territory of the Republic of Poland for more than 3 months.

Documents needed for granting the permit:
copy of the minor child’s identity card, passport (if he/she has one) or other documents confirming that the child has Polish citizenship
child’s birth certificate
health insurance
source of stable and regular income

You submit all documents in original/certified copy.
This type of temporary residence permit does NOT entitle you to work without an additional work permit. You will find information about the impossibility of taking up employment without a separate work permit in the instruction of the decision on granting a temporary residence permit. Check what are the conditions for issuing a work permit.

You should apply if you intend to stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland for more than 3 months with an adult child who is a foreigner and has a residence permit or is a Polish citizen.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

If the adult child with whom you intend to live in Poland is a citizen of Poland:

• a copy of the identity card of the adult child with whom you intend to reside in the territory of Poland
• documents confirming your relationship to the adult child with whom you intend to stay in the territory of Poland (civil status certificate)
• health insurance
• a source of stable and regular income

If the adult child with whom you intend to live in Poland is a foreigner and has a residence permit:

• a copy of the residence permit in Poland of the adult child with whom you intend to stay in the territory of Poland
• documents confirming your relationship to the adult child with whom you intend to stay in the territory of Poland (civil status certificate)
• health insurance
• confirmation of having secured accommodation
• a source of stable and regular income

A child born in Poland

You apply for a permanent residence permit if you are a foreigner who has been granted a permanent residence permit or an EU long-term resident permit and you want to obtain a permanent residence permit for your minor children who were born:

• after you were granted a permanent residence permit or an EU long-term resident permit, or
• during the period of validity of a temporary residence permit granted to you or during the period of a residence permit granted to you for humanitarian reasons or a permit for tolerated stay or in connection with granting you refugee status or subsidiary protection

The application on behalf of a minor foreigner is submitted by the parents or court-appointed guardians, or by one of the parents or one of the court-appointed guardians. When submitting the application of a minor who has reached the age of 6, his presence is required.

If the child was born in Poland, submit the application as soon as the travel document is issued for the child.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• child’s birth certificate,
• sworn translation of the birth certificate (in case the birth certificate was issued outside Poland)
• a copy of the parent’s decision to grant a residence permit in Poland

The parent has a residence permit

You should submit this application if you are a foreigner, have one of the following residence titles and wish to obtain a temporary residence permit for your minor children who reside with you in Poland.

• Permanent residence permit,
• eU long-term resident permit,
• refugee status,
• subsidiary protection,
• a temporary residence permit under which you have lived in Poland for at least 2 years, including immediately before applying for a temporary residence permit for your minor child – under a permit granted for a period of stay of not less than 1 year,
• a temporary residence permit issued for the purpose of scientific research,
• a temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work in a highly qualified profession,
• temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work as part of an intra-company transfer,
• temporary residence permit to enjoy long-term mobility,
• a residence permit for humanitarian reasons.

If the child resides in the territory of Poland:

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• a copy of the residence permit in Poland of the parent with whom the child intends to stay in the territory of Poland
• the child’s birth certificate
• sworn translation of the birth certificate (in case the birth certificate was issued outside Poland)
• health insurance
• confirmation of having an assured accommodation
• a source of stable and regular income

If the child resides outside of Poland:

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• a copy of the residence permit in Poland of the parent with whom the child intends to stay in the territory of Poland
• birth certificate
• sworn translation of the birth certificate (in case the birth certificate was issued outside Poland)
• health insurance
• confirmation of having an assured accommodation
• a source of stable and regular income

You submit all documents in original/certified copy.

If the child resides outside the Republic of Poland, after obtaining a temporary residence permit for family reunification, you should apply for a visa for the child in order to implement the received permit. Upon arrival in Poland, you should apply for a residence card for the child.

The parent is a foreigner and is married to a citizen of the Republic of Poland

You should submit the application if you are a foreigner, the spouse of a Polish citizen, you have a temporary residence permit or a permanent residence permit granted in connection with being married to a Polish citizen and you want to obtain a temporary residence permit for your minor children who reside with you in Poland.

In the case of a foreigner who is a minor, the application for a temporary residence permit shall be submitted by the parents or court-appointed guardians, or one of the parents or one of the court-appointed guardians, no later than on the last day of the child’s legal residence in the territory of Poland.

When applying for a temporary residence permit for a minor who is at least 6 years old on the date of application, his presence is required.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• birth certificate
• sworn translation of the birth certificate (in case the birth certificate was issued outside Poland)
• a copy of the parent’s marriage certificate
• a copy of the parent’s residence permit

You submit all documents in original/certified copy.

You should submit this application if you intend to stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland for more than 3 months and you are in an informal relationship with a citizen of the Republic of Poland or a foreigner with a residence title in Poland.

This type of temporary residence permit does NOT entitle you to work without an additional work permit. Information about the impossibility of taking up employment without a separate work permit can be found in the instruction of the decision on granting a temporary residence permit. Check what are the conditions for issuing a work permit.

Documents needed for granting the permit:

• confirmation of having provided accommodation
• a source of stable and regular income
• a document confirming possession of health insurance covering the costs of treatment in Poland (ZUS or insurance policy
• preparation of a statement describing the history of your relationship with your partner ( concubine ), for example, such information: when and how you met, how long you have been in a relationship, whether you live together, whether you intend to marry, and other information confirming the premise of residence,
• statements on the number of dependents, drawn up by you.
• a statement by your partner that you have Polish citizenship, or a copy of a document confirming your Polish citizenship

The requirement to have a source of stable and regular income is also considered to be met if your living expenses will be covered by a family member who resides in the territory of the Republic of Poland. A partner is not considered a family member. If you are dependent on your partner, you can confirm that you have a source of stable and regular income with an annuity contract, which you will sign with your partner in the presence of a notary. Together with the annuity agreement, you should submit documents confirming the source and amount of income earned by the partner with whom you intend to stay in Poland.

You should apply for a temporary residence permit due to other circumstances if you are a citizen of Belarus and intend to continue to reside in the territory of the Republic of Poland, and immediately before applying for this permit you were residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a national visa issued for humanitarian purposes.

The condition for granting this type of permit is that the Belarusian citizen stayed in the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a national visa for humanitarian reasons (with the marking “D 21” on the visa sticker) immediately before applying for the permit. This also applies to persons whose period of stay and validity of the said visa has been extended due to the continuation of an epidemic emergency and previously an epidemic state, and the Belarusian citizen continues to stay in Poland on the basis of a humanitarian visa extended in this way.

Documents needed for granting the permit

• A photocopy of a valid travel document, including a visa issued for humanitarian reasons

A temporary residence permit due to other (humanitarian) circumstances is issued for 3 years at a time

As of January 1, 2023, the holder of this temporary residence permit has the option to apply for a Polish travel document for a foreigner.

A Belarusian citizen who will hold a temporary residence permit due to other (humanitarian) circumstances will be exempt from the requirement for a work permit. Belarusian citizens who apply for a residence permit for humanitarian reasons are exempt from the stamp duty for the issuance of such a permit and from the fee for the issuance of a residence card, if such a permit is obtained.