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Apart from the law on entering the territory of Poland, as a foreigner, you are subject to certain laws that regulate your stay in our country during your studies. Polish law introduces different requirements for EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA citizens with regard to legalisation of stay. In general, the requirements will differ based on the duration of your stay (stay up to 3 months, from 3 months to 5 years and permanent residence). As a student, you will most probably be interested in the first two options. Please find more information on website of Malopolska Voivodship Office in Cracow and Office for Foreigners.

Legalization of stay exceeding 90 days since crossing the Polish border is the responsibility of every student – regardless of whether a visa is required or not. Failure to do so can result in deportation.
  • Visa
  • Schengen Visa ("C") - is a short-stay visa issued for a stay up to 90 days in 180 days. This type of visa owner is entitled to enter Poland's territory and travel freely within the Schengen area.
  • National visa ("D") - is a long-stay visa entitling its owner to entry and continuous stay on the territory of Poland for a period of up to one year. This type of visa also allows travelling freely within the Schengen area for 90 days in 180 days.
  • Temporary residence permit

All the formalities regarding the legalization of stay should be settled at the Polish Consulate in the student's country of living (visa matter) or Wydział Spraw Cudzoziemców Małopolskiego Urzędu Wojewódzkiego w Krakowie – Foreigner's Affairs Unit (temporary residence permit matter).

Moreover, we also encourage you to visit the YouTube channel of the Malopolska Voivodship Office, where you can find a lot of useful information. 

The legalization of stay of foreigners in Kraków is managed by:

Małopolska Provincial Office in Krakow
Department for Foreigners
31 – 547 Krakow, ul. Przy Rondzie 6

Contact details:
tel. 12 39 21 854, fax 12 39 21 354
e-mail: sc@malopolska.uw.gov.pl

HELPLINE/INFORMATION INFO.OPT
about entry, stay and work in Poland dedicated to third country nationals

tel. 12 210 20 20
e-mail: info.opt@muw.pl

Useful information

Open Krakow

Studies and Education

Welcome pack for foreigners ( PL / EN / UA / RU )

Guide to procedures for legalizing the stay and employment of foreigners in Poland ( PL / EN)

Education in Krakow - what should foreigners know? ( PL / EN / UA / RU )