Scientific research

You should apply if you wish to stay in Poland for longer than 3 months and you also hold a professional title that in Poland corresponds to at least a master's degree or to an equivalent, allowing an application for doctoral degree and the main purpose of your stay is to conduct scientific research or development projects in a research unit based in Poland and approved by the minister responsible for internal affairs.

You should apply for a residence permit in person before your current legal status expires (i.e. before your visa or residence card expires).

If you apply to extend your stay in Poland before the expiry date of your legal status, you can legally remain in Poland while your application is pending. Make sure you have submitted an error-free application. Your passport must be valid at this time.

Before you apply, read our tips on completing the application forms.

1. Visit the website mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl and create an account.
2. Review the information and the list of common mistakes.
3. Fill out the application for a temporary residence permit.
4. Include your email address in the application. Once your application is registered by the Office, you’ll receive an access code to track the status of your case.
5. Print the application form and sign it.
6. Send the printed form along with the required attachments via postal service to the Department for Foreigners in Poznań or one of our regional offices.

Submit the application no later than the last day of your legal stay in Poland. If you send the application via Poczta Polska, the date of submission will be the date it is posted at the post office.

The next step will be an in-person appointment to submit your fingerprints. During the visit, you will also complete other documents required to obtain a stamp in your passport.

Learn how to submit fingerprints.
Learn how to track the status of your case.

Documents required to obtain a stamp in your passport (i.e. formal requirements)

• Application completed in accordance with the instructions in 1 copy (application to be downloaded). The form can be also obtained at any of our offices.
• 4 photographs, 
• A photocopy of a valid travel document (the original for inspection), in a particularly justified case, when you do not have any valid travel document and you are not able to obtain one, you may present another document confirming your identity.

• To start the proceedings you also need the confirmation of the stamp duty payment.

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Documents required to be granted the permit:

• a contract on the admission of a scientist for the purpose of conducting scientific research or development works concluded with a scientific unit based in Poland,

• a written statement of the scientific unit in which it undertakes to costs related to your to return;

• a health insurance document;

• a document confirming sufficient financial resources to cover the costs of the maintenance in Poland and return travel for the duration of scientific research or development projects, after deduction of the cost of residence;

• a statement on the cost of living.

Read our guide

The permit is granted for a period not longer than 3 years.

This permit entitles you to perform work without the need to obtain an additional work permit.

The residence card is issued after you have received your decision with your permit. Read How to receive my residence card?