PolandStudy and training

Poland researcher visa and residence permit for scientific research

National visa (D) and temporary residence permit for scientific research

In short

Researchers invited by an approved Polish research institution come on a national D visa for scientific research and can then hold a temporary residence permit for up to 3 years. You need at least a master's-level degree, a hosting agreement with set contents, and the institution's written commitment on return costs.

Apply on MOS – Moduł Obsługi Spraw (Office for Foreigners e-application portal) checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Permit for the duration of the research, from more than 3 months up to 3 years
Validity
D visa up to 1 year; residence permit up to 3 years
Fee
€135National (D) visa fee set by the Polish MFA from 1 June 2024; consulates may collect it in local currency, and an external service provider may add its own fee. Not refunded if refused. A residence permit in Poland costs a separate stamp duty plus PLN 100 for the card.
Funds required
PLN 1,010 per monthMonthly means after housing costs above PLN 1,010 for a single person or PLN 823 per person in a family (social-assistance thresholds in force since 2025), plus PLN 2,500 per person for the return to a non-EU country.
Processing time
Visa: up to 30 days where documents are verified; permit: within 60 days of a complete application, stamp duty PLN 340
Work
Yes, the research permit gives free access to the labour market
Family
Family members may apply for family reunification without the usual 2-year waiting period
Path to permanent residence
Time on this permit counts towards the 5 years for EU long-term residence; after the research ends, a one-time 9-month permit to look for work is available
Where to apply
D visa: in person at the Polish consulate responsible for your place of legal residence, or the visa centre it uses, after registering in e-Konsulat; permit: MOS portal while in Poland

Requirements

You must hold a professional title that allows you to pursue a doctorate — in Poland at least a master's degree or equivalent — and be accepted to conduct research or development work at an institution approved by the Minister of the Interior for hosting foreign researchers.

The hosting agreement (employment contract, contract for specific work, mandate or other civil-law contract) must state the title or subject of the research, both sides' commitments, start and end dates or duration, remuneration and working conditions, and any planned mobility to other EU states.

Funds and insurance

After real housing costs you need more than PLN 1,010 a month (PLN 823 per person in a family), plus PLN 2,500 per person for the return to a non-EU country. Your salary from the hosting agreement normally covers this. You also need health insurance valid in Poland.

The institution must give a written commitment to reimburse the state for any return-decision costs within 6 months after the agreement ends, should you stay illegally.

Visa and permit

Apply for a D visa for scientific research at the Polish consulate responsible for your place of residence, with its research checklist. In Poland, file the residence permit application in MOS; the voivode should decide within 60 days of a complete application. Stamp duty is PLN 340 plus PLN 100 for the card.

  1. Agree the research project with an approved Polish institution and sign the hosting agreement.
  2. Prepare the D visa documents from the checklist of the Polish consulate responsible for your place of residence, with originals and copies as it asks.
  3. Fill in the form in e-Konsulat, book the appointment and apply in person at the consulate or its visa centre; pay the visa fee as the consulate directs.
  4. After arriving, register your address and, before the visa expires, apply for a temporary residence permit through the MOS portal using a Polish trusted profile or qualified e-signature.
  5. Pay the stamp duty and the PLN 100 card fee into the voivodeship office's accounts and attach the proofs in MOS.
  6. Attend the voivodeship office when summoned (no sooner than 7 days after the summons) to show your passport and give fingerprints, then collect the residence card after a positive decision.

Forms

Rights and duties

The permit lets you work in Poland without a work permit. You must inform the voivode within 15 working days if you stop the research, and the institution must notify the voivode if you cannot carry out the agreement.

When the research ends, you can apply once for a 9-month permit to look for work or start a business in Poland.

Refusals and appeals

A refused D visa can be reconsidered by the consul on request within 14 days, for a fee set by the consulate. A voivode's refusal of a residence permit can be appealed to the Head of the Office for Foreigners within 14 days of delivery, in writing through the voivode; the appeal should be decided within 90 days.

If the permit is finally refused and you have no other basis to stay, you must leave Poland within 30 days.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Visa form completed in e-Konsulat, printed and signed, and one 3.5 x 4.5 cm biometric photo (white background, max. 6 months old)
  • Civil-status, residence and criminal record documents as listed in the checklist of the consulate where you apply

Travel

  • Passport not older than 10 years, valid 3 months beyond the visa, two blank pages; copy of the data page and of Schengen visas from the last 3 years

Money

  • Proof of funds for living and return costs (salary under the agreement or bank statements)

Study

  • Hosting agreement with the approved institution containing all legally required elements (original and copy)
  • Diploma at master's level or equivalent

Insurance

  • Health insurance valid in Poland for every day of the stay, cover at least EUR 30,000, meeting the Foreigners Act conditions

Other

  • Institution's written commitment to cover return costs if needed, within 6 months after the agreement ends
  • Proof of accommodation

Frequently asked questions

Can a PhD student use this route?

Doctoral school students normally use the residence permit for studies. The research route is for researchers hosted under an agreement with an approved institution.

Can my spouse join me immediately?

Yes. Spouses of researchers holding this permit or a research D visa can apply for family reunification without waiting 2 years, and may even apply at almost the same time as you.

Do I need a separate work permit?

No. The research permit itself gives free access to the Polish labour market.

Is visa-free short research possible?

Only if your nationality is visa-exempt. Otherwise you need a visa even for short research stays; for under 90 days a Schengen visa is used, and researchers under EU Recommendation 2005/761/EC pay no Schengen visa fee.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Poland

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

Study and training

  • Student visa Maximum stay: D visa up to 1 year; residence permit 15 months at first, then the length of studies plus 3 months (max. 3 years)
  • Language course visa Maximum stay: As stated on the D visa, at most 1 year; 90 days in any 180 in other Schengen states
  • Internship and trainee visa Maximum stay: Intern permit: from more than 3 up to 6 months; D visa up to 1 year

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: D visa up to 1 year; single permit from more than 3 months up to 3 years
  • EU Blue Card Maximum stay: 3 months longer than the work contract, from more than 6 months up to 3 years
  • Job seeker visa Maximum stay: 9 months, granted once
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Up to 3 years for managers and specialists; up to 1 year for trainee employees
  • Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: At most 9 months per calendar year, counted from the first entry into Schengen that year

Family

Residence

Protection

Poland visa guide