Temporary residence permit for the purpose of studies (taking a preparatory course)

Introduction

Third-country nationals (i.e., foreigners who do not have their nationality from EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland) and stateless persons may be admitted to studies in Polish m.in if they complete a one-year preparatory course for study in Polish.

[ There are several centres in Poland conducting such courses - these are m.in the Study of the Polish Language for Foreigners of the University of Lodz or the School of Polish Language and Culture of the University of Silesia in Katowice. More information about the courses can be found m.in.: https://go-poland.pl/pl/szlifuj-polski ]

Foreigners whose purpose of stay in Poland is to take a preparatory course to study at such studies may apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying at university. At the moment, however, the possibility of applying for this permit remains limited only to citizens of the Republic of Belarus.

A temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying at university is a type of temporary residence permit granted in the form of an administrative decision of 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 condition for granting the permit is that the education received justifies stay in Poland for a period longer than 3 months.

The permit is granted for the duration of the course (i.e., 9 – months) extended by 3 months.

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), if it meets the requirements necessary to grant it.

Remember!

• Foreigners from countries other than Belarus who intend to stay in Poland to take a preparatory course can apply for a temporary residence permit due to other circumstances (for the purpose of studying) (go to the information about this permit to learn more).

• Within the meaning of the migration regulations, the term "studies" means education in a unit approved by the minister competent for internal affairs, or in respect of which a decision has not been issued prohibiting the admission of foreigners, unless this unit is subject to the obligation of approval received in principle: on full-time studies (i.e., full-time) First degree, second-cycle or long-cycle studies, or at a doctoral school (or doctoral studies, while these are conducted).