LEGAL MATTERS

What is a temporary residence permit?

Temporary residence permit is an administrative document that entitles a foreigner to legally reside in Poland for a specified period of time. There are several types of temporary residence permits that are issued for different purposes of stay, such as work, study, conducting business or family reunification.

You must submit your application no later than the last day of your legal stay (visa, visa-free period, or residence permit validity). We strongly advise you not to leave your application until the last minute, as some attachments must be signed by the university, which may take some time.

How to apply?

Note* From 27.04.2026 residence permit applications should be sent electronically via MOS system.

Step 1. Create a trusted profile

Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) is a free tool, which allows you to verify your identity online.

To set up an account, you need to have a PESEL number. If you already have one, there are two ways for you to set up a trusted profile.

1. Online - if you have a bank account in any of these banks: Bank Polski, mBank, Erste, BS Brodnica, Bank Pekao, Bank Pocztowy, VELO Bank, ING, Millenium, Alior, Crédit Agricole, BOŚ, Inteligo, BNP Paribas, PKO.
2. In person - fill out the application find the list of points, where you can verify your identity.

Step 2. Create an account on MOS system

Step 3. Log in to your account and read the instructions carefully

Before you begin completing the application, please ensure you have prepared:

• a current photograph (JPG format, size 684X883 pixels, 35x45mm, maximum file size 2,5 MB);
• a current, valid travel document or other document confirming your identity (copy of all pages);
• basic information about family members residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland;
• documents confirming health insurance;
• documents confirming your income (bank statement, certificate of credit card limit, scholarship confirmation, employment certificate with salary information or traveller’s cheque)
• information about your criminal record;
• email address of your hosting institution, in case of Lublin University of Technology, please give the following email address - mos.pl@pollub.pl;
• confirmation of payment of the stamp duty for processing the application for a temporary residence permit; (stamp fee: PLN 340, paid to: Urząd Miasta Lublin, Wydział Podatków (Lublin City Hall, Department of Taxes), account no.: 95 1240 2092 9329 9200 0620 0000, payment title: opłata za wydanie zezwolenia na pobyt czasowy + applicant’s name and surname);
• other documents confirming the chosen purpose of applying for a temporary residence permit. You can attach attachments to your application in JPG or PDF format.

After filling out the entire application, you should download UPO – receipt officially confirming that you have applied for a residence card.

Step 4. In person meeting at the Office for Foreigners

The Office for Foreigners will contact you to arrange an in-person meeting. During the meeting, you should have your passport. Please keep in mind that the Office may require you to present original versions of other documents.

The address of the Office for Foreigners in Lublin:

Lublin Voivodeship Office Department for Foreigners
ul. Czechowska 15, 20-072 Lublin

Travel during the waiting period

During the waiting period you are:

• not allowed to leave the territory of Poland;
• allowed to return to your home country.

To re-enter Poland:

1. You must have a visa (if required),
2. Meet visa-free entry conditions.

If returning visa-free, you may stay in Poland until the decision becomes final - even if more than 90 days pass.

Decision

Once your temporary residence permit is approved, you will need to complete the payment and pick up your residence card at the Voivodeship Office.

• Card fee: PLN 50
• Payable to: Lubelski Urząd Wojewódzki w Lublinie, Biuro Organizacji, Kadr i Budżetu (Lublin Voievodship Office, Department for Organisations, Presonnel, and the Budget)
• Account number: 67 1010 1339 0055 0022 3100 0000
• Payment title: opłata za wydanie karty pobytu + applicant’s full name

Proof of payment must be presented when collecting the card.

Additional information

There are two options to get health insurance:

• Public health insurance (NFZ), or
• Private insurance covering medical treatment in Poland

The required financial means are calculated as follows:

Living expenses in Poland:

• PLN 776 per month - for a person living alone
• PLN 600 per month per person - for individuals living in a family household

Return travel costs to the country of origin or residence:

• PLN 200 - if returning to a neighbouring country of Poland
• PLN 500 - if returning to another EU country that does not share a border with Poland
• PLN 2,500 - if returning to a country outside the European Union

Proof of payment of the tuition fee (if the foreign student undertakes or continues studies for a fee).

In case of questions, you can contact Welcome Point at LUT at the following address: Nadbystrzycka 42, Dormitory No. 1, room N6

If you who don't have either the residence permit nor a visa issued by another Schengen country or are not coverd by the visa-free movement, you need to apply for a visa to Poland before arrival. Visas to Poland are issued by Polish embassies/consulates located in different countries.

Based on your purpose of stay (research, work or study) short-term or long-term visa can be issued. Additionally, visas can be issued for single or multiple entries. Multiple entry visa allows you to travel multiple times between Poland and your country of origin.

Visa allows you to travel within the territory of other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days during a 180-day period, during the validity period of the visa.

How to apply?

First of all, you should find the Polish embassy or consulate nearest to your place of residence where you will apply for visa. You should check the list of the required documents on the embassy's website or by contacting the consular office directly.

Depending on the visa purpose, the following documents may be required:

• a hosting agreement/work contract/ a scholarship agreement / admission document to the study or PhD program,
• documents proving necessary financial resources,
• travel medical insurance and document proving health insurance on the territory of Poland,
• address of stay in Poland, acommodation,
• travel document e.g. passport,
• photograph,
• visa fee (typically 80 euro),
• if you are coming with your family members, documents proving family ties  such as marriage and birth certificates.

The documents and the duration of visa procedure may slightly differ depending on the country where the visa application is submitted. We recommend contacting the embassy/consulate for the full list of the required documents. 

If you are studying in Poland and need assistance from your home country, you can contact your country’s embassy or consulate. Keep in mind that most embassies and many consulates are located in Warsaw.

This index will help you find the contact information and locations of foreign diplomatic missions in Poland, so you know exactly where to turn if you need consular support during your studies.

In Lublin there are organizations that offer free legal support for refugees and migrants:

Baobab - find out more info about working hours here: Legal advice - Baobab

The Rule of Law Institute Foundation (for people who can't afford a lawer or legal advice) - find out more info about working hours here: Instytut na Rzecz Państwa Prawa