VISA
In order to enter Poland, non-EU citizens may be required to have a visa to Poland. Before arrival it’s recommended to double check the entrance regulations.
If visa is required, you need to apply for it before arrival. Visas to Poland are issued by Polish embassies/consulates located worldwide so you have to apply in the consulate in your country of origin or country of legal residence.
Please contact the embassy/consulate for the full list of the required documents. Visa requirements and application forms as well as the complete list of Polish diplomatic missions abroad are available at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The duration of the visa procedure should not exceed 15 days.
It is important to remember that visas are granted for maximum one year. In order to extend the stay in Poland, it is necessary to apply for a residence permit for specified period of time in a Voivodeship office.
RESIDENCE PERMIT
Citizens of non-EU, non-EFTA and non-OECD countries are required to apply for a temporary residence permit (or temporary residence and work) before the visa on the basis of which they are staying in Poland expires.
The temporary residence permit (TRP) is issued by the Department of Citizens Affairs of the Swietokrzyskie Voivodship Office. The application should be submitted in person, no later than on the last day of legal stay in Poland.
Application forms and information: https://www.gov.pl/web/uw-swietokrzyski/pobyt-czasowy
All formalities related to the legalization of stay can be arranged at the Department of Citizens Affairs and Foreigners in Kielce. You can find the full address below:
Świętokrzyski Urząd Wojewódzki w Kielcach (Swietokrzyskie Voivodship Office)
Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców (Department of Citizens Affairs and Foreigners)
Oddział ds. Cudzoziemców (Office for Foreigners)
al. IX Wieków Kielc 3, 25-516 Kielce, building C, 5th floor
Monday – Friday, 08.00-15.00
Documents required to submit an application:
Student
- 2 Application forms
- Copy of passport (all pages, even blank + 2 copies of photo page)
- Confirmation of studies at the University
- Confirmation of tuition fee payment
- Health Insurance
- Proof of having sufficient financial support
- Bank statement issued by a Polish bank
- Confirmation of payment of PLN 340 to the bank account of the Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship Office
- 4 biometric photos
Employee
- 2 Application forms
- Annex No. 1 – to be completed by the Human Resources Department
- Copy of passport (all pages, even blank + 2 copies of photo page)
- Copy of the employment contract with the University
- Health insurance
- Proof of having sufficient financial support
- Account statement issued by polish bank
- Confirmation of payment of PLN 440 to the bank account of the Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship Office
- 4 biometric photos
HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance is obligatory for all foreigners for the entire duration of their stay in Poland.
- Non-EU citizens must always provide proof of insurance when applying for a visa to Poland and when legalizing stay in Poland. The list of insurance companies that provide relevant insurance policies can be found on the governmental website.
- If you are a EU-citizen, don’t forget to take the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) with you. It gives you free access to necessary medical services when travelling temporarily in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The card entitles you to treatment only in case of sudden illness. In case of chronic illnesses or continued treatment, you need to apply to the National Health Fund in Poland (NFZ) for an additional document from your doctor in your country.