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Legalising your stay for students from Ukraine – how to study legally?
How to legalise your stay in Poland for the duration of your studies?
For young people from Ukraine, starting an education at Polish universities is a tremendous opportunity for growth, which, however, requires completing the appropriate legal formalities. Legalizing the stay of Ukrainian students in Poland is a crucial step that allows for stress-free learning, unrestricted travel, and employment. Depending on your current situation (staying on a visa, visa-free travel, or temporary protection), this process may differ slightly, but the goal is always to achieve a stable legal status.
Most popular legalisation paths for students:
- Student visa (National D-type visa): Obtained at a consulate before arriving in Poland, typically issued for a period of one year.
- Temporary residence permit (Karta pobytu czasowego): A residence permit for the purpose of studying, which you apply for once in Poland at the Department for Foreigners of the competent Voivodeship Office.
- Temporary protection (Special Act / PESEL UKR): Applies to students who arrived in Poland due to the war after 24 February 2022 and are entitled to special residence rights.
Temporary residence card as the primary document for Ukrainian students
If your visa is expiring or you want a document that allows you to cross the border multiple times without additional formalities, the best solution is a temporary residence card for students. For the legalisation process to be successful, you must submit your application no later than the last day of your legal stay.
- Submit your application via the MOS system (Case Handling Module): Fill out the form online, print it, and take it to the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki).
- Attach a certificate from your university: An official document confirming your enrolment as a student or the continuation of your studies.
- Demonstrate financial resources: The office requires proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself in Poland (bank statement) and to cover the costs of returning to Ukraine.
- Secure insurance: Provide a valid health insurance policy or proof of a voluntary health insurance agreement with the NFZ (National Health Fund).
Important for working students: Legalising your stay based on full-time studies in Poland grants you automatic, unlimited access to the labour market. You do not need any additional permits or declarations to take up legal employment!
PESEL UKR and student status
Students from Ukraine covered by the Special Act benefit from the PESEL UKR status, which guarantees legal residence in Poland. However, it is essential to monitor updates to regulations and the validity periods of temporary protection so that you can transition to the residence permit procedure at the right time, ensuring the continuity of your legal status.