Temporary Residence Permit for Graduates (Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy dla absolwentów polskich uczelni)

Poland•Europe

Open

Temporary Residence Permit for Graduates (Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy dla absolwentów polskich uczelni)

Work Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–3 months

Estimated Cost

PLN zł 440

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

9 months

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Overview

Residence permit for Polish university graduates to seek employment or start a business during a 9-month transition period.

The Temporary Residence Permit for Graduates is designed for recent graduates of Polish universities seeking employment or business opportunities. It bridges the transition from student to employment-based residence, allowing graduates to remain legally in Poland for 9 months while job hunting or starting a business.

The application fee totals 440 PLN (340 application fee plus 100 residence card issuance). Submit electronically via the MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl). Processing takes 30–90 days. The permit is non-renewable and one-time only, but can convert into work permits or other residence pathways.

This visa is ideal for recent international graduates of Polish universities who want to explore the job market or launch a business without a pre-arranged employment contract.

Cost Breakdown

Application feePLN zł 340

Residence card issuance feePLN zł 100

TotalPLN zł 440

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

9 months

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Temporary Residence Permit for Business Activity

Poland

Temporary Residence Permit for Business Activity

Validity3 years

Processing3 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

TRP-Work — Temporary Residence and Work Permit Type A

Poland

TRP-Work — Temporary Residence and Work Permit Type A

Validity3 years

Processing1–2 months

View Visa Details

Poland

EU Blue Card (Niebieska Karta UE)

Validity3 years

Processing3 months – 1 year

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a graduate of a Polish university (first-cycle, second-cycle, long-cycle, or doctoral school).

Must apply immediately after graduation while still in legal stay in Poland.

Must intend to stay to look for a job or start a business.

Must have health insurance and sufficient financial means.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

12,120 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed and signed application form.

Valid travel document (passport) - original for inspection and a photocopy.

Four current biometric photographs.

Polish university graduation diploma.

Proof of health insurance.

Proof of sufficient financial means to cover living costs and return travel for 9 months.

Proof of accommodation (e.g., lease agreement).

Evidence of active job search (e.g., CVs sent, interview invitations) or business plan.

Proof of payment of the stamp duty (PLN 390).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Provides a 9-month legal window to transition into the Polish labor market or start a business
Allows graduates to remain in Poland after their student permit expires without immediate job commitment
No specific job offer required — graduates can explore opportunities before committing to an employer
Digital application process via MOS portal eliminates need for in-person submission (as of April 2026)
Modest total fees of 440 PLN (340 application + 100 residence card) makes it cost-effective
Facilitates transition to work-based residence permits, EU Blue Card, or business visas
Processing completed within 30-90 days, providing quick legal status confirmation
Recognizes academic credentials rather than requiring pre-arranged employment sponsorship

Worth Knowing

Can only be applied for once and must be applied for immediately after graduation
Fixed 9-month permit duration with no renewal option; transition to another visa is required
Must demonstrate financial stability with minimum annual income equivalent of 12,120 PLN for entire duration
Digital application requires uploaded documents; paper submissions no longer accepted since April 2026
Closed to applicants who do not hold a degree from a Polish university or qualifying institution

Application Process

Create an account on the MOS portal at mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl.

Complete and submit the application form electronically via the MOS portal (as of April 27, 2026, paper and in-person submissions are no longer accepted and have no legal effect).

Upload all supporting documents including proof of graduation, health insurance, proof of sufficient funds, and accommodation.

Attend the Voivodeship Office in person only if called to provide fingerprints or additional documents.

Wait for the decision.

Verified Claims (2)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Application Steps

Create an account on the MOS portal at mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl.; Complete and submit the application …

migrant.poznan.uw.gov.pl

Fee Breakdown

Application fee: 340 PLN; Residence card issuance fee: 100 PLN

gov.pl

Ready to see if the Temporary Residence Permit for Graduates (Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy dla absolwentów polskich uczelni) is your visa path?

Discover how your answers compare with the published requirements. 2 minutes. Free to use.

Start Visa Discovery

Overview

Residence permit for Polish university graduates to seek employment or start a business during a 9-month transition period.

This visa is ideal for recent international graduates of Polish universities who want to explore the job market or launch a business without a pre-arranged employment contract.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a graduate of a Polish university (first-cycle, second-cycle, long-cycle, or doctoral school).

Must apply immediately after graduation while still in legal stay in Poland.

Must intend to stay to look for a job or start a business.

Must have health insurance and sufficient financial means.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Min. Income

12,120 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed and signed application form.

Valid travel document (passport) - original for inspection and a photocopy.

Four current biometric photographs.

Polish university graduation diploma.

Proof of health insurance.

Proof of sufficient financial means to cover living costs and return travel for 9 months.

Proof of accommodation (e.g., lease agreement).

Evidence of active job search (e.g., CVs sent, interview invitations) or business plan.

Proof of payment of the stamp duty (PLN 390).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Provides a 9-month legal window to transition into the Polish labor market or start a business
Allows graduates to remain in Poland after their student permit expires without immediate job commitment
No specific job offer required — graduates can explore opportunities before committing to an employer
Digital application process via MOS portal eliminates need for in-person submission (as of April 2026)
Modest total fees of 440 PLN (340 application + 100 residence card) makes it cost-effective
Facilitates transition to work-based residence permits, EU Blue Card, or business visas
Processing completed within 30-90 days, providing quick legal status confirmation
Recognizes academic credentials rather than requiring pre-arranged employment sponsorship

Worth Knowing

Can only be applied for once and must be applied for immediately after graduation
Fixed 9-month permit duration with no renewal option; transition to another visa is required
Must demonstrate financial stability with minimum annual income equivalent of 12,120 PLN for entire duration
Digital application requires uploaded documents; paper submissions no longer accepted since April 2026
Closed to applicants who do not hold a degree from a Polish university or qualifying institution

Application Process

Create an account on the MOS portal at mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl.

Complete and submit the application form electronically via the MOS portal (as of April 27, 2026, paper and in-person submissions are no longer accepted and have no legal effect).