Poland Student Visa Requirements in Nigeria 2024

Poland is a Schengen country that offers an excellent academic experience for Nigerians seeking to study abroad.

Education in this country is affordable yet standard. Polish degrees are globally recognized, and you are sure to get job opportunities within a short time after you graduate and even while you study.

So, if you consider Poland a study destination, then it’s good you are here.

This article will unveil all you need to know about Poland’s student visa requirements for Nigerians and other helpful information.

Let me know in the comment if you have any questions or need further clarification.

Poland Student Visa

Passport visa

You need a Polish student visa if you want to study in Poland as a Nigerian.

The student visa is your legal permit to study, live and work in Poland throughout your program.

There are two types of Polish student visas:

  • Type C
  • Type D

The Type C visa is a short-stay visa suitable for students studying in Poland for ninety (90) days or less within 180 days.

However, if you would be going for a more extended program, then the Type D visa is for you.

This visa is a long-stay visa that permits you to study in Poland for one year.

The Type D visa is primarily standard among Nigerian students.

It is pertinent to note that you would also need to apply for a Polish residence permit when you arrive in Poland if you would be getting a Type D visa.

This permit enables you to stay in Poland throughout your program, for instance, a bachelor’s degree program.

You would first be given a permit which is valid for fifteen (15) months. However, you can renew the permit to cover your program duration.

Poland Student Visa Requirements

woman sitting beside table reading book

Nigerians who wish to obtain a Polish student visa must meet the following requirements:

  1. International Passport
  2. Passport Photographs
  3. Polish Student Visa Application Form
  4. Admission Letter
  5. Cover Letter
  6. Proof of Accommodation
  7. Proof of Financial Ability
  8. Travel Medical Insurance
  9. Academic Documents
  10. Flight Reservation
  11. Proof of Language Proficiency
  12. Visa Fee Receipt

International Passport

It would help if you had an international passport issued within the last ten years which must be valid until at least three months after the expiration of your student visa.

This passport must have at least two blank pages where your visa stamps or stickers would be placed.

You are also required to provide a copy of the data page of your passport, which contains your details and photo.

Passport Photographs

Two passport photos taken in the last six (6) months must be presented.

Note that these photos must comply with the Schengen photo guidelines.

Hence, your passport photos must measure 35mm by 45mm and be taken on a plain background.

Also, the images must be in colour with neutral facial expressions and no accessories or headwear except for religious reasons.

Polish Student Visa Application Form

You can download the visa application form for free and fill it out correctly.

Fill out the form correctly and sign it.

This form must be submitted at the embassy, as you cannot do so online.

Admission Letter

You must present your admission letter from a recognized university in Poland.

This letter must state your full name, tuition fees, resumption date, graduation date, etc.

Cover Letter

You must provide a cover letter stating why you want to travel to Poland, how long you want to stay in Poland etc.

This letter must be well written, stating your intentions clearly.

Proof of Accommodation

You must present a document stating where you will stay once you arrive in Poland.

You can provide your hotel reservation or hostel receipt if you remain in your university’s residence hall.

If you have a friend or relative waiting in Poland, they can give you an invitation letter which is also acceptable.

Proof of Financial Ability

You need to prove that you can cover your needs financially and that of your dependents (if you would be moving with them) throughout your stay in Poland.

You must have at least 2,500 PLN for a return trip and 776 PLN for every month you stay in the country.

If you are moving with your family members, you need at least 2,500 PLN for a return trip and 600 PLN for every month of your stay.

You must provide bank statements from the last 6 months to prove this or a sponsorship letter if a sponsor would cover your living expenses.

If you are going on a scholarship, you must provide the scholarship letter given to you.

Travel Medical Insurance

You must provide a document confirming that you have travel medical insurance. It must cover costs of at least €30,000 and be valid throughout your stay in Poland.

Academic Documents

You are to present your academic documents, which include transcripts, academic certificates such as original WAEC or NECO certificate, and your CV, among other documents.

Flight Reservation

You must prove that you will return to Nigeria after finishing your studies.

You need to submit a flight ticket that shows the date and time of your return trip.

You should note that you are not required to buy tickets before your visa is approved because you would be responsible for losses if your visa application were ultimately denied.

Proof of Language Proficiency

You should provide proof that you understand English or Polish well.

The IELTS, TOEFL, etc., are useful in this regard.

Visa Fee Receipt

You must provide the receipt which shows you have paid your visa fees.

Polish Student Visa Application Guide

man and woman looking at a laptop

Time needed: 15 days

A description of how to apply for a Poland student visa

  1. Gain Admission

    You cannot apply for a Polish student visa if you have not gained admission to a Polish university.

    It is because you need to present your admission letter at the embassy.

    Hence, apply to a university and wait for your admission to be confirmed.

  2. Fill out the Application Form

    Please fill out the visa application form and append your signature to the document after downloading it.

    Ensure you fill out the form correctly, as any mistakes could cause your application to be rejected.

    You can make a copy of this form in case it is needed.

  3. Prepare the Relevant Documents

    Prepare the documents listed above and make photocopies of them as they can be helpful.

    Noteworthy, check these documents properly and ensure that none of them is missing. If you fail to fit your documents properly and any of them are missing, it may cause problems for you in the long run.

  4. Book an Appointment with the Embassy

  5. Visit the Embassy

    On your appointment date, visit the embassy and submit your documents.

    Ensure that you come early and you don’t go on a date not scheduled for you.

    Your biometrics would also be taken at the embassy, and you would also be scheduled for an interview.

  6. Pay your Fees

    Pay your visa fees and other charges at the embassy.

    Note that the Poland student visa costs €80.

  7. Collect your Passport

    Once your application has been processed, you will be notified.

    Then, you can go to the embassy and collect your passport and documents.

Poland Student Visa Interview

Woman sitting in front of a MacBook

The interview stage is essential to your application process as it can make or mar your application.

You would be asked questions concerning your personal information, the purpose of travelling to Poland, accommodation, prospective university etc.

Make sure you answer these questions clearly and honestly.

Poland Student Visa Processing Time

Woman sitting on the bed holding her phone

There is no specific time for processing your visa application, but it may take about fifteen (15) days.

However, it may take a longer time, depending on several factors.

It is better to apply at least three months before your resumption date at the university.

Working with a Poland Student Visa

A Woman Wearing a Scrub Suit and Face Mask

As earlier noted, you are permitted to work with your student visa.

You can work full time, that is about 40 hours per week. You can also decide to work part-time, 20 hours per week, if you want to.

Focusing more on your studies is advisable as that is your primary reason for going to Poland.

If you get poor results, it may affect your visa renewal.

Poland Student Visa Refusal

a student studying with books on the table

Several reasons may cause a visa refusal. Some of these reasons include the following:

  • Criminal records
  • A damaged or invalid passport
  • Fake documents
  • Insufficient answers during your visa interview
  • Passport photographs that do not comply with the requirements.
  • Insufficient proof of financial ability
  • Invalid medical insurance etc.

Conclusion

Poland is an excellent choice for anyone seeking to go abroad for their education.

The education there is quite affordable compared to the USA, UK, Canada, etc., and you can be assured that you are getting the very best.

However, you may find the process stressful and confusing, especially if you do not know how to go about the whole process.

The good thing is that we have discussed all you need to know and following these guidelines will help you in your application process.

Let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification. I would love to assist you.

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6 thoughts on “Poland Student Visa Requirements in Nigeria 2024”

  1. I need a medical certificate stating there are no contraindications against undertaking studies in Poland. Please can you refer me to authorized bodies, who can issue such medical certificates (for Poland).

    Reply
    • Sure, here are some authorized bodies in Poland that can issue medical certificates stating there are no contraindications against undertaking studies:

      1. Public health centers (publiczne ośrodki zdrowia): These are government-run health centers that offer a variety of medical services, including issuing medical certificates.

      2. Private medical clinics: There are many private medical clinics in Poland that can also issue medical certificates.

      3. University health centers: Most universities in Poland have their own health centers that can issue medical certificates.

      Sure, here are some authorized bodies in Poland that can issue medical certificates stating there are no contraindications against undertaking studies:

      Public health centers (publiczne ośrodki zdrowia): These are government-run health centers that offer a variety of medical services, including issuing medical certificates.
      Public health centers in PolandOpens in a new window
      http://www.statista.com
      Public health centers in Poland
      Private medical clinics: There are many private medical clinics in Poland that can also issue medical certificates.
      Private medical clinics in PolandOpens in a new window
      polandunraveled.com
      Private medical clinics in Poland
      University health centers: Most universities in Poland have their own health centers that can issue medical certificates.
      University health centers in PolandOpens in a new window
      study.gov.pl
      University health centers in Poland
      When choosing a medical institution to issue your medical certificate, you should make sure that it is authorized by the Polish Ministry of Health. You can find a list of authorized medical institutions on the Ministry of Health’s website.

      The medical certificate you need will be issued in Polish. However, you can ask the doctor to provide you with an English translation.

      The cost of the medical certificate will vary depending on the medical institution you choose. However, it is typically around PLN 100 (€25).

      The medical certificate will be valid for 6 months.

      Here are the steps on how to get a medical certificate for studies in Poland:

      1. Make an appointment with a doctor at a public health center, private medical clinic, or university health center.
      2. Bring your passport and visa to the appointment.
      3. The doctor will ask you about your medical history and perform a physical examination.
      4. The doctor will issue the medical certificate.

      I hope this helps!

      Reply
    • Here are the steps on how to get a medical insurance for Poland:

      1. Choose a health insurance provider. There are many different health insurance providers in Poland, so you will need to choose one that is right for you. Some factors to consider include the coverage that you need, the price of the policy, and the customer service reputation of the provider.

      2. Compare policies. Once you have chosen a few providers, you will need to compare their policies. This includes looking at the coverage that is offered, the deductibles and copays, and the price of the policy.

      3. Apply for the policy. Once you have found a policy that you are happy with, you will need to apply for it. This usually involves providing some personal information, such as your name, address, and date of birth.

      4. Pay the premium. Once you have been approved for the policy, you will need to pay the premium. The premium is the monthly amount that you will need to pay to keep the policy active.

      5. Get your insurance card. Once you have paid the premium, you will receive your insurance card. This card will need to be presented when you receive medical treatment in Poland.

      Here are some of the health insurance providers in Poland:

      1. Warta: Warta is one of the largest health insurance providers in Poland. They offer a variety of policies to choose from, including individual and family policies.

      2. Generali: Generali is another large health insurance provider in Poland. They offer a variety of policies to choose from, including individual and family policies.

      3. PZU: PZU is the state-owned health insurance provider in Poland. They offer a basic policy that is available to all residents of Poland.

      4. AXA: AXA is a multinational health insurance provider. They offer a variety of policies to choose from, including individual and family policies.

      I hope this helps!

      Reply
    • Hello Chidi,

      Do you mean you need recommendations for a health insurance company accepted for Poland’s student visa application?

      Reply

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