PolandResidence permit for graduates

Graduate residence permit in Poland

A temporary residence permit for graduates of Polish universities who want to stay in the country to look for work or to start a business. Graduates are exempt from the requirement to obtain a separate work permit. Health insurance, confirmed accommodation and financial means for maintenance and the return journey are required. The permit is issued once and is valid for a limited period.

Source: gov.pl — Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy – absolwent

Who the programme suits

The permit is intended for specific categories of graduate. Consider both aspects of eligibility.

It suits you if you

have completed a first-cycle course (licencjat/inżynier) at a Polish university
have obtained a second-cycle degree (magister) at a Polish institution on a full-time course
have defended a doctorate in Poland and want to stay in the country

And you plan to

look for work with an employer in Poland
register and run your own business
gain practical experience in your field after graduating

And you must

be lawfully present in Poland when you file the application
file the application in person with the voivode (the provincial governor)
hold health insurance and documents on your finances

When this programme will not suit you

you studied part-time or by distance learning and the degree is not recognised as graduation from a full-time programme

check with the university whether your programme counts as full-time, or consider another type of residence permit

you completed your studies in another country rather than in Poland

you will need a residence permit for a different purpose or a visa to work at a company

you want to stay in Poland for longer than 9 months without changing status

once the 9 months are up you need to move to another permit (for example on the basis of employment or of starting a business)

Documents to gather

You need to gather the documents before applying to the voivode. All documents must be with you when you attend in person.

a degree certificate or certificate of completion of a full cycle of study at a Polish university
a document confirming health insurance (a policy or a receipt)
a document on accommodation in Poland (a tenancy agreement, a certificate of ownership or a letter from the landlord)
a document confirming financial means for maintenance in Poland and for the return journey (an account statement, a certificate of transfers or another bank document)

How the process runs

The procedure for filing and examining the permit involves several stages. The application is examined by the voivode under the general administrative rules.

1
Preparing the documents
Gather your degree certificate, insurance, accommodation document and proof of finances. Make sure all the documents are current.
2
Applying to the voivode in person
Visit the office of the voivode for your province with the application and the documents. The application must be filed in person, during a period of lawful stay in Poland. It is advisable to file straight after defending your thesis.
3
Examination by the voivode
The voivode examines the documents and issues a decision in line with the general process for residence permits.
4
Issue of the permit
If the decision is positive you receive a temporary residence permit valid for 9 months. The permit is issued only once in a lifetime.

Timelines and rights

Validity

Issued once, for a period of 9 months.

Work

Graduates of Polish full-time programmes are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit.

Residence

The permit carries no residence requirement. It is designed for 9 months of job-seeking, after which the status must be changed.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Graduate residence permit	Karta pobytu	Blue Card
Visa term	Issued once, for a period of 9 months	Karta czasowego for 1-3 years, renewable; karta stałego is open-ended (the card is replaced every 10 years)	Up to 3 years (the term of employment plus 3 months), renewable
Work	Graduates of Polish full-time programmes are exempt from the requirement to obtain a work permit	On a card issued on employment grounds — with the named employer; permanent residence — full access	Yes, in the highly qualified occupation with the employer
Residence	The permit carries no residence requirement	For permanent residence: absences of no more than about 6 months in a row / 10 months over 5 years	Intention to stay for longer than 3 months

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

In itself it does not lead to permanent residence: it is granted once and for 9 months. In that time you must find work or launch a company and move to a permit with a different purpose.

Route to citizenship

The route is long: first another permit, then 5 years for EU long-term resident status or grounds for permanent residence, then 3 years on that status and recognition as a citizen with a B1 certificate.

Frequently asked questions about Graduate residence permit

For how many months is the permit issued?

The temporary residence permit for graduates is issued for 9 months. This is the period within which you must find work or successfully launch your own business.

Do I need a separate work permit?

No. Graduates of full cycles of study at Polish higher education institutions are exempt from the requirement to obtain a separate work permit. You still need a temporary residence permit, however, in order to stay and work lawfully in Poland.

Who counts as a graduate for this programme?

A graduate is a person holding a first-cycle degree (licencjat, inżynier), a second-cycle degree (magister) obtained through full-time study, or a doctoral degree from a Polish university.

When should the application be filed?

It is advisable to file the application straight after completing your studies, during your lawful stay in Poland. The sooner you apply, the more of the 9-month period of the permit you will have to look for work or start a business.

Is the permit issued several times or only once?

The temporary residence permit for graduates is issued only once in a lifetime. Once the 9 months are up you will need to obtain another type of residence permit (for example on the basis of employment or of starting a business) if you plan to stay in Poland.

What financial means count as sufficient?

The page states the requirement to hold sufficient funds for maintenance and the return journey, but does not specify amounts in PLN. It is advisable to check with the office for foreigners in your province or by telephone on +48 47 721 76 75.

Other ways to move to Poland

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Poland.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.