Temporary residence permit for studies / national D visa for study
Students from outside the EU usually enter Poland on a national D visa for study, then may apply for a temporary residence permit for studies through MOS while in Poland. The permit covers full-time first or second cycle, long-cycle master's studies, doctoral school or a preparatory course at an approved institution. Holders can work in Poland without a work permit.
Life in Poland
Money
3
Currency
Polish Zloty
PLN
Polish Zloty
Cost of living
55
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12–32%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23%
Tax scale: 12% less a PLN 3,600 reducing amount (effectively PLN 30,000 tax-free) up to PLN 120,000, then 32%; optional 19% flat rate for business income.
Living
1
Happiness
#23 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Non-EU nationals admitted to full-time higher education or a doctoral school in Poland.
Eligibility
Full-time studiesResidence permit
Studies must be full-time first or second cycle, long-cycle master's, doctoral school, or a preparatory course where the law allows. Part-time, postgraduate and MBA courses do not count.
Approved institutionResidence permit
The university must be approved by the interior minister and not banned from admitting foreigners.
Tuition paidResidence permit
Proof of payment for the semester or academic year is needed for paid studies.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementHealth insurance
- Document checklistTemporary residence permit application (MOS)
- FeesTemporary residence permit for studies (stamp duty)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 7 more requirements
- 14 documents
- 3 fees
- 9 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Programs and scholarships Members
Study programs here that can lead to work and settlement, grouped by route and ranked for your background, with scholarships matched to your profile.
Places to visit in Poland
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Poland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- Work permitsWork permit for a Polish entity entrusting work to a foreigner (formerly type A) and temporary residence and work permit
- FamilyTemporary residence permit for family reunification
- Asylum & protectionInternational protection in Poland
Study in other countries
- PortugalResidence visa and residence permit for higher education students
- RomaniaLong-stay study visa (D/SD) and student residence permit
- SerbiaTemporary residence for studies
- RussiaStudy visa for Russia, including study within the Russian Government quota
- RwandaStudent permit (class U1) and related study & research permits
- SeychellesStudent's Permit