University graduates

You should apply for a temporary residence permit for graduate looking for work or planning to establish an economic activity if you wish to stay in Poland for a period exceeding 3 months and you are a graduate of a Polish university. For this particular temporary residence permit you can apply only once and only immediately after graduating from university. The temporary residence permit is granted for the period of 9 months.

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 how to fill out in application form.

You may apply in person at the Department for Foreigners in Poznań or one of the office's delegations: Book your visit

If you cannot apply in person before your current legal status expires, please send your application by post to meet the deadline.

What counts is the date of postage at the post office.

If you apply by post, your next step is to visit the office in person to give your fingerprints.

During your visit, you may also file other documents that are required to get a stamp in your passport.

Learn how to give your fingerprints

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

• Application form - fill in the on-line application or fill in the application in accordance with the instructions in 1 copy (application to be downloaded).
• 4 photographs, 
• A photocopy of a valid travel document (the original for inspection), in a particularly justified case, when you do not have a valid travel document and you are not able to obtain one, you may present another document confirming your identity.
• To start the proceedings will also be needed confirmation that you have paid the stamp duty.

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Documents required to be granted the residence permit:

• Polish university graduation diploma,
• Confirmation of active job search e.g. proof of your CVs sent to prospective employers, confirmation of set job interviews, etc.
• Health insurance,
• Confirmation of having sufficient funds to cover the costs of your stay in Poland and return ticket to the country of origin for the period of 9 months,
• A current document confirming your accommodation in Poland,

Read our guide

Temporary residence permit is granted once, directly after graduation, for a period of 9 months.

This permit does not entitle you to work in Poland. If you are a graduate of full-time studies at a Polish university, you can work without a work permit.

Please do remember that, within 15 business days, you are obliged to inform the appropriate province governor that granted you your temporary residence permit, that the reasons for granting your permit no longer apply. If your residence permit was granted by the Head of the Office for Foreigners, so the second instance authority examining the temporary residence permit for graduate looking for work or planning to establish an economic activity, the information should be sent to the province governor – the first instance authority examining the temporary residence permit. If you do not fulfill this obligation, you might be refused obtaining another residence permit.

• Application for a graduate looking for work or planning to establish an economic activity will not be considered if you apply for such a permit during validity of the temporary residence permit granted for work as intra-corporate transfer and you are a trainee employee or during validity of the temporary residence permit for work in the profession requiring high qualifications.

• A full-time studies graduation diploma of Polish university entitles you to work without a work permit. You have a full free labour market access.

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