Poland National Visa (D) guide

The basics

The study.gov.pl portal, run for Polish higher education, describes the D type as a long-term national visa for Poland. Its page is written for students, so some details below are specific to study.

Validity

Issued for up to one year, according to study.gov.pl

Stay per entry

Not stated by the sources reviewed.

Where you apply

A Polish consulate or consular section of an embassy that can process the application

Fee

Sources do not state the fee for the D type visa. A visa fee is payable on submission.

Who it's for

The page reviewed describes the D type from a student's point of view. Requirements depend on the purpose of stay.

• Study: study.gov.pl states that every non-EU student needs a visa or permit to study, and that the D type is one of the visa types available.

How to apply

Based on study.gov.pl, the steps are generally as follows.

• Find a Polish consulate or embassy consular section that can process your application, using the Ministry of Foreign Affairs search for Poland's missions abroad.
• Read all the information on that consulate's website and follow its instructions.
• Set a visa appointment. In most cases this is done through the e-konsulat website (secure.e-konsulat.gov.pl).
• Prepare the documents, including the application form, passport, biometric photo, health insurance, proof of sufficient means and documents confirming the purpose of stay.
• Submit the documents, including the printed and signed application form, and pay the visa fee. The study.gov.pl page says review should take up to 15 days, and advises submitting early as some cases take considerable time.

Documents

study.gov.pl lists these items for a D type application. The exact list depends on the purpose and the consulate, so confirm it with the consulate handling your application.

• The application form, printed and signed.
• A valid passport.
• A biometric photograph.
• Health insurance.
• Proof of sufficient means.
• Documents confirming the purpose of the stay.

Stay and extensions

study.gov.pl states that a D type visa can only be extended in exceptional situations. For a longer stay, it advises applying for a temporary residence permit.

For students, the same page says the permit application is made to the local Voivodship Office while legally in Poland, before the visa expires. It gives a total cost of 390 PLN, an initial permit of 15 months, and renewal for up to 3 years but no longer than the remainder of studies. Temporary residence permit applications must be submitted in person, and remote filing is not available.

Sources do not state extension terms or fees for other purposes.

Things to confirm

• The visa fee for your category and nationality. Sources do not state it.
• The exact document list for your purpose from the consulate that handles your application.
• Whether the stay per entry differs from the 90 days in 180 days described for Schengen travel.
• Processing times for your consulate. The study.gov.pl page says up to 15 days, but cases may take longer.
• Requirements for employment, family or other purposes. The page reviewed is written for students.

Sources

Every claim above comes from these pages. Higher tiers carry more authority. How we tier sources.