Once admitted to the Medical University of Warsaw, students themselves are responsible for ensuring they meet all the legal requirements as international students.
The legalisation of a foreigner’s residence in Poland is a multi-stage process. It would be best if you looked into this issue before you come here to start your studies.
International students have two options for legalizing their stay in Poland – applying for a visa or a residence card. Students are also required to have health insurance coverage while studying in Poland.
Entry Requirements for EU Citizens or EEA/EFTA Citizens
EEA/EFTA citizens are nationals of one of the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) or the European Free Trade Association (EFTA): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Students who are citizens of the European Union (EU) or the EEA/EFTA do not need to apply for a visa. Here is a list of VISA FREE countries.
However, they must register with the Voivodship (Provincial) Office within 90 days after their arrival in Poland.
In Polish the office is called:
Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki w Warszawie
Wydział Spraw Cudzoziemców
ul. Marszałkowska 3/5
00-624 Warszawa
Follow this link for more information.
The basic steps to obtain a Temporary Residence Permit (the so-called TRC):
Step 1 - Download and fill out an application form for the registration of residence in Polish.
Step 2 - Gather the necessary documents, here you can find the complete list.
Step 3 - Submit the application in person, make an appointment for the submission here.
Entry Requirements for Non-EU Citizens
As a general rule, you need a visa to enter Poland.
Here is a list of VISA FREE countries.
All students who are Non-EU citizens may apply for D- type national visa.
A D-type national visa permits to enter the territory of the Republic of Poland and to stay continuously or for several successive times in this territory for a total duration of more than 90 days during the period of validity of the visa, but not longer than one year.
The basic steps to obtain a visa:
1. Find a Polish Consulate/ consular section of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland that can process your application.
You can use the search engine of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Poland.
2. Read ALL the information concerning visa application on the consulate’s website carefully and follow ALL the instructions. Supporting documents may differ depending on where a visa application is submitted. For more details, please get in touch with the relevant consular post.
3. Set a visa appointment with the consulate. In most cases, you will have to register through this website.
4. Prepare the necessary documents, including the application form, travel document (passport), biometric photo, health insurance, sufficient means to support yourself, and documents confirming the purpose of your stay. Verify required documents on the consulate’s website.
5. Submit all the documents, including a printed and signed application form and the visa fee.
Early submission of visa documents is advisable as the procedure may take considerable time in some countries.
Please note: After you arrive in Poland, you have 90 days to apply for a Temporary Residence Permit (the so-called TRC). Failing to do so may result in your deportation. Therefore, we advise you to start your application as soon as possible.
Follow this link for more information.
NON-EU: Temporary Residence Permit
The application for a Temporary Residence Permit needs to be submitted in person, no later than on the last day of legal residence in Poland to a Voivode having jurisdiction over place of residence (in Warsaw Wojewoda Mazowiecki).
You can read all about the procedure here.
How to apply for the permit?
Step 1 - REGISTER
If you are applying for the residence permit in Warsaw register your profile and case at an online portal for foreigners.
Useful links:
- Instructions how to create an account and submit an application
- FAQ inPOL
Step 2 – FILL IN THE APPLICATION FORM
Fill IN the application for a temporary residence permit via inPol, print it out in two copies.
The application MUST BE COMPLETED in Polish.
Step 3 – gather necessary DOCUMENTS
A full list of all the documents can be found here.
Step 4 – MAKE AN APPOINTMENT
In order to file your application you must make an appointment for a specific day and time via the inPol website.
or
You may send the application via post, the date of the submission of the application is considered as the date of the postmark. Then you will have to wait for a call from the office and you will be obliged to appear in person on an indicated date and time.
Useful clips can be found at the OFFICE FOR FOREIGNERS YT channel.