Temporary residence permit for the purpose of studies

Introduction

Within the meaning of the migration regulations, the term "studies" means education in a unit conducting studies (in simple terms – at an HEI):

• approved by the minister responsible for internal affairs, or

• in respect of which a decision on the prohibition of admitting foreigners has not been issued, unless this unit is subject to the obligation of approval

retrieved:

• full-time (i.e., full-time) first-cycle, second-cycle, or long-cycle studies, or

• at the doctoral school (or at doctoral studies, while these are conducted)

• in cases strictly defined by law, also as part of the preparatory course for education at these studies.

Remember!

• All other forms of education at universities other than the above-mentioned ones, such as m.in. part-time higher education, postgraduate studies, MBA studies, are referred to as science, not studies, and the permit dedicated to the purposes of learning is a temporary residence permit due to other circumstances (read the information on granting this permit).

A temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying is a type of temporary residence permit granted in the form of an administrative decision to third-country nationals (i.e., persons who do not have citizenship of one of the EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland) and stateless persons whose purpose of stay in Poland is to undertake or continue studies (in accordance with the cited definition).

■ This permit shall also be granted where those studies are a continuation or complement to studies undertaken on the territory of another Member State of the European Union unless they are covered by a Union or multilateral programme including mobility measures or by an agreement between two or more higher education institutions providing for intra-Union mobility. Read the information on the temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying at university granted pursuant to Article 144(3) of the Act on Foreigners.

■ The rules for granting permission for study in relation to the preparatory course are discussed separately (Click to read the information).

The condition for granting the permit is that the education at the university justifies stay in Poland for a period longer than 3 months.

This permit is granted by the voivode, competent for the place of residence of the foreigner, and in the case of appeal proceedings – by the Head of the Office for Foreigners.

The first temporary residence permit for the purpose of study at university is granted for the period of:

• 15 months or for the duration of the academic year or studies extended by 3 months, if the education at the university justifies a stay in Poland of less than 15 months,

• 2 years - where the studies are covered by a Union or multilateral programme including mobility measures or an agreement between at least two higher education institutions providing for intra-Union mobility, as regards the permit referred to in Article 144(1).

Another temporary residence permit for students and doctoral students is granted for the duration of studies, extended by 3 months, but not longer than 3 years.

This permit is not automatically renewed – a foreigner interested in continuing their stay in Poland before its expiry should apply for a temporary residence permit, e.g. another temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying at university, or an indefinite permit (i.e., a permanent residence permit or a long-term EU resident's residence permit), provided that it meets the requirements necessary to grant it.