Before your arrival
Citizens of the European Union, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland (referred to as EU or EFTA nationals below) and family members who are not EU nationals can stay in Poland for up to 3 months without any additional procedures. During that time, EU citizens are required to carry a valid travel document or a document confirming their identity and citizenship. Their family members who are not EU or EFTA citizens are required to carry a valid travel document.
Citizens of countries that are not EU or EFTA members are required to obtain a Polish visa at the Polish Consulate in their country.
When entering Poland, you should :
- state the goal and the circumstances of your planned stay and present documents confirming this information;
- carry and present, at the request of the Border Guard, documents confirming health insurance for the duration of your stay in Poland;
- (if entering on a visa) have sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay and return to your country of origin or present documents confirming your ability to legally obtain such funds.
Procedures
What kind of visa do I need?
- Category C Schengen visa, also known as a short-stay visa, allows foreigners to travel to the Schengen area one or more times on condition that the total duration of a single stay does not exceed 90 days in any half-year following the first entry. download application
- Category D national visa, also known as a long-stay visa, allows foreigners to enter and stay in Poland during one continuous or several trips whose total duration is over 90 days but not longer than 1 year and does not exceed the visa validity. download application
NOTE: Holders of the Category D visa are allowed one transit trip through the Schengen area to the country that issued the visa. This does not include the return trip to the country of origin through the Schengen area.
How can I obtain a visa?
Visas are issued by consular officers. Visa applications must be submitted in consulates or the consular departments of Polish embassies in different countries. If your country does not maintain diplomatic relations with Poland, you must apply in another country’s nearest consular post. Visa denial is final. Find the nearest consulate or embassy
Required documents:
Main documents:
- application form – type or print in Polish, French, or English and sign; no corrections are allowed;
- travel document – valid for at least 90 days after the planned date of departure from Poland/the Schengen area; your travel document must have at least two free pages and must have been issued within the last 10 years;
- one recent photograph – white or off-white background, no head coverings or hats; the dimensions should be 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm;
- travel medical insurance for all Schengen states. You must present proof of medical insurance, but its type depends on the visa category you are applying for. If you are applying for a Schengen visa, the insurance must be valid in all Schengen states and cover the entire period of your stay. The insurance should cover all expenses related to the return trip to the country of origin for medical reasons, urgent medical care, or immediate hospitalization. The minimum insurance coverage is 30,000 Euros.
- Internal Passport (original and a copy of the original).
- proof of payment of consular fees.
Other documents:
- documents confirming the goal of your visit. If you want to attend a school or study at a university in Poland, you must confirm this. If you intend to study, a confirmation of admission to a Polish institution of higher education or of continuation of your enrolment is required. If you want to attend a school, confirmation from your school or another educational institution is required. If a foreign national is admitted into a university program, participates in academic or scientific research, or participates in professional training and these involve fees or payments of any kind, proof of payment is required: it must cover the first academic year or the entire period if education is shorter than 12 months. Alternatively, confirmation of sufficient funds to cover the payment stipulated in the learning agreement is accepted.
- documents proving that you have sufficient funds to support yourself during your entire stay in Poland. To begin studying, academic research, or professional training, a foreign national must have 1,600 PLN or the equivalent in foreign currency to cover accommodation and board for the first two months in Poland. Accepted documents include:
- a signed and stamped statement from a bank operating in Poland dated no earlier than a month before entering the country;
- traveler’s cheques;
- a credit card accepted in Poland with confirmation of its credit limit;
- a charge card accepted in Poland accompanied by a recent bank statement;
- the original invitation in which the inviter declares that all expenses involved are covered or a notary-signed statement of financial support from parents;
- a document confirming the receipt of a scholarship or grant.
Contact details for residence permit applications:
Lublin Voivodeship Office
Citizens’ Affairs and Foreigners Department
Secretariat
ul.Czechowska 15
20-914 Lublin
Phone: +48 81 74-24-549
Enquiries are handled in Polish.
However, the Office provides information in foreign languages:
– English:
Phone: +48 81-74-24-559
After your arrival
Register your adress of residence
Lublin City Office
Information Desk for Foreigners
ul. Wieniawska 14 (1st floor)
20-071 Lublin
Phone: +48 81 466 1009
Fax: +48 81 466 1003
E-mail: foreigners@lublin.eu
Feel free to use the services of Information Desk for Foreigners at the following times:
Mondays, Tuesdays from 7:45 to 16:45,
Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays from 7:45 to 15:15.
Information and support for foreigners available in one place.
Information Desk for Foreigners is tasked to provide information to foreigners living in Lublin free of charge and on daily basis. We provide information on the services rendered by the Lublin City Office as well as supply rudimentary information as to contact details, tasks and procedures implemented by other entities (i.e. public administration institutions or other entities acting to the benefit of foreigners). We also conduct information briefings for foreigners at Schools of Higher Education, at the premises of institutions or organizations working for foreigners, if such institutions or organizations request us to do so.
Service in the Information Desk for Foreigners is available in the following languages:
- English,
- French,
- German,
- Polish,
- Portuguese,
- Spanish,
- Russian,
- Ukrainian.
PESEL (ID number)
Lublin, as the first city in Poland, introduced procedures related to obtaining PESEL number and registering address for foreigners, which have been adapted to the current epidemiological situation.
Information on the current procedures related to the service of foreigners in registration matters:A. Registration of address/De-registration of address:
– by means of a box available in the building of the Lublin City Hall at 20 Leszczyńskiego Street;
1. Registration your address:
In an envelope with your correspondence address and telephone number addressed “to the Department of Administrative Affairs” (pl. Wydział Spraw Administracyjnych), you must put the following inside the envelope:
- completed registration form downloaded from the website of the Lublin City Office, signed by the owner and the person registering address (the signature of the person registering address must be notarized), you must also attach the following
- photocopy of the passport and a document legalizing your stay (for non-EU foreigners) or photocopy of the identity document (for EU foreigners) – all copies must be certified as true copies by a notary or a legal advisor.
- legal title to the premises – this may be the land and mortgage register number itself or an ordinary photocopy of the notarial deed or the allocation of the premises, while a copy of the legal title in the form of a civil-law lease agreement must be certified as a true copy of the original by a notary public or a legal advisor.
The certificateopens in new tab of permanent residence, notification of the assigned PESEL number (i.e. documents issued ex officio) will be sent via the Polish Post S.A. by registered mail to the indicated mailing address.
2. De-registration of your address:
In an envelopeopens in new tab with your correspondence address and telephone number addressed “to the Department of Administrative Affairs” (pl. Wydział Spraw Administracyjnych), you must put the following inside the envelope:
- completed de-registration form downloaded from the website of the Lublin City Office, signed by the de-registering person (signature must be notarized), you must also attach the following:
- an ordinary photocopy of the passport (for non-EU foreigners) or a photocopy of the identity document (for EU foreigners);
B. Issuing of certificates of Registration/De-registration:
– via ePUAP (qualified signature, trusted profile)
– or through a box available in the building of the Lublin City Hall at 20 Leszczyńskiego Street:
In an envelope with your correspondence address and telephone number addressed “to the Department of Administrative Affairs” (pl. Wydział Spraw Administracyjnych), you must put the following inside the envelope:
- completed and signed application for issuing a certificate downloaded from the Lublin City Office’s website (the applicant’s signature must notarized), you must also attach the following
- stamp duty payment confirmation in the amount of PLN 17.00
- an ordinary photocopy of the passport
The certificateopens in new tab will be sent via the Polish Post S.A. by registered mail to the indicated mailing address.
C. Applications for issuing PESEL number pursuant to separate regulations:
– via ePUAP (qualified signature, trusted profile)
– or through a box available in the building of the Lublin City Hall at 20 Leszczyńskiego Street:
In an envelope with your correspondence address, addressed “to the Department of Administrative Affairs” (pl. Wydział Spraw Administracyjnych), you must put the following inside the envelope:
a completed and signed application for a PESEL number, downloaded from the website of the Lublin City Office, you must also attach the following
- copy of passport – copy must be certified as a true copy by a notary public or a legal advisor
- copy of the contract of mandate or employment contract (a certificate from your company confirming employment is acceptable) – all copies must be certified as true copies by a notary public or a legal advisor.
City Office will proceed with the application, provided that employer’s registered office is located in Lublin and the appropriate legal basis for obtaining the PESEL number is indicated in point 7 of the application.
Notificationopens in new tab about the assigned PESEL number will be sent via the Polish Post S.A. by registered mail to the indicated correspondence address.
Temporary residence permit for the purpose of studies
Schedule an appointment for application submission
Legal stay of foreigners during the state of epidemic threat
Due to the state of epidemic threat, voivodeship offices have suspended direct customer service. Therefore, all applications for the legalization of stay of foreigners in Poland may be submitted by post.
Applications for the legalization of stay of foreigners may be sent to voivodeship offices via Poczta Polska S.A. by registered mail or via any other postal operator. When submitting applications for legalisation of stay, it is important to do so during legal stay in Poland. Only then the stay during the administrative procedure will be considered legal.
Sending the application to the voivodeship office via Poczta Polska S.A. (which is the designated operator within the meaning of the Postal Law Act) before the period of legal stay has expired, guarantees that the deadline for submitting the application will be met. The legality of a foreigner’s stay during the proceedings results from the fact of submitting an appropriate application within the statutory period, and not from the fact that the foreigner has a stamp in the passport confirming submission of the application. The voivodes will return to calling applicants to appear in person, when required by law, after the restoration of direct customer service.
Legalisation of stay due to the inability to leave Poland
Foreigners who cannot leave the territory of Poland for reasons beyond their control may apply for either a visa extension or a temporary residence permit due to circumstances requiring a short stay.
Detailed information on visa extension and relevant application forms can be found HERE.
Information on the temporary residence permit due to circumstances requiring a short stay and application forms can be found HERE.
When applying for both a visa extension and a temporary residence permit due to circumstances requiring a short stay, it is important to do so during a legal stay in Poland. Only then the stay during the administrative procedure will be considered legal. Applications should be sent to the voivodeship office via Poczta Polska by registered mail or via any other postal operator. Sending the application during legal stay via Poczta Polska S.A. guarantees meeting the deadline for its submission and ensures the possibility of legal stay until the case is considered.
Non-EU nationals
Step 1 – Non-EU/EEA nationals: register your address of residence
Within 4 days of entry to Poland and moving into a place of residence in Lublin (it could be a dormitory or a private flat) foreign students have to register at the City Office (Residents’ Service Centre).
Where to register?
Residents’ Service Centre
(in Polish: Biuro Obsługi Mieszkańców)
20-071 Lublin
ul. Wieniawska 17
Documents required
- Registration Form (it should be completed and signed by the student and then by the dormitory manager. If a room or a flat is rented instead, the rental agreement is required as well),
- valid ID card or passport,
- document authorizing you to legally stay in Poland (a visa, a residence permit card, a decision of residence permit for a specified period of time).
Sometimes a student may be asked for other additional documents (a certificate of the student status at UMCS or a birth certificate).
Step 2 – Non EU/EEA nationals: apply for a temporary residence permit
Citizens of non-EU/EEA countries must submit an application for a residence card no later than on the last day of their legal stay (BEFORE the expiration of their present visa/residence permit).
How to book an appointment?
In order to submit an application for a temporary residence permit you are first required to make an online appointment: https://cudzoziemcy.lublin.uw.gov.pl/en/
For more information, please visit:https://wsoic.lublin.uw.gov.pl/en/pouczenie-dla-cudzoziemca
You are NOT required to make an appointment by internet to: register an invitation, collect your residence card, apply for a replacement of your residence card or if you are a citizen of the EU and would like to register your stay.
Where to submit the documents?
Department for Foreigners (in Polish: Oddział ds. Cudzoziemców)
ul. Czechowska 15
Lublin
Documents required
- Application Form (completed in Polish, CAPITAL LETTERS),
- Photocopy (all pages even the empty ones) of a valid travel document (e.g. a passport) + original document to show for verification,
- 4 current ID-style colour photographs sized 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm,
- Student status statement about continuation of studies issued by the Dean’s office at your faculty),
- Confirmation of payment of the tuition fee,
- Proof of sufficient financial funds to cover the costs of living and studying in Poland and return to the country of origin (e.g. a bank statement confirming financial resources, issued no later than one month before submitting the application),
- Proof of health insurance or confirmation of covering health treatment costs on the territory of Poland by the insurer,
- Accommodation certificate (issued by the Dormitory manager or rental agreement),
- Original receipt of the payment of PLN 340 for granting a residence permit and then after being granted a residence permit you will be obligated to pay PLN 25 for the issuance of a residence card.
Fees: PLN 340 stamp duty – payable when submitting the application,
PLN 25 for the card – payable after you have received a positive decision regarding your application.
All documents submitted in foreign languages should be translated into Polish by a sworn translator. You may access the list of Polish sworn translators at:
After being granted a residence permit you will be issued a residence card. You should keep the residence card with you at all times.
Pole’s Card
What are the benefits for Pole’s Card holders?
Pole’s Card is a document certifying that its holder belongs to the Polish nation, however it does not give the holder Polish citizenship or the permit to temporary or permanent residence in Poland. Thus, what are the benefits connected to Pole’s Card?
Pole’s Card holder can:
- Apply for a national visa, free of charge;
- Apply for granting of a Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland, free of charge;
- Benefit from aid provided by the Polish Consul;
- Work legally in Poland, no work permit needed;
- Carry out business activities in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens;
- Access the free education system in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens;
- In emergency situations use free health care on the same terms as Polish citizens;
- enjoy a 37-per cent concession on railway travel on the Polish territory;
- visit national museums in Poland free of charge;
- have priority when applying for funding from the Polish state budget or the local authorities budget in Poland intended to support Poles abroad;
- apply for a permanent residence permit free of charge.
Links and contacts
Lubelskie Province Governor’s Office in Lublin the Department of Citizens’ Affairs and Foreigners (submitting applications for legalisation of stay) – https://wsoic.lublin.uw.gov.pl/pl
System of interactive forms (a tool that allows you quickly and easily fill in the available interactive form in the field of legalization of stay and international protection in the ONLINE mode) https://cudzoziemcy.lublin.uw.gov.pl/
The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange
NAWA is set up to coordinate state activities driving the process of internationalization of Polish academic and research institutions. The mission of NAWA is to foster the development of Poland in the area of science and higher education. NAWA goals:
- support international mobility of students, academics and researchers;
- support the process of internationalization of Polish HEIs and research institutions;
- promote Polish science and higher education;
- promote and popularize teaching of the Polish language
The Rule of Law Institute Foundation office at ul. Chopin 14 provide free legal and integration advices in rooms 83 and 84.
We encourage you to make an appointments by phone – 881 91 71 71 or by e-mail migrant@panstwoprawa.org.
Homo Faber Antidiscrimination Support Centre
Please contact before the meeting:
Phone: 602 430 868
E-mail: antydyskryminacja@hf.org.pl
Website: www.hf.org.pl
