A new certificate template? We are talking about foreigners studying in Poland

Ashley Davis08/03/2026

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2026-03-08 08:00

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2026-03-08 08:00

The Ministry of Science plans to introduce a new template for a certificate of acceptance or continuation of studies by foreigners. The new draft regulation on this matter is related to the digitization of procedures for legalizing stay in Poland.

A new certificate template? We are talking about foreigners studying in Poland — photo: Anatol Chomicz / / FORUM

The change results from the amendment to the Act on Foreigners of November 2025, which introduces an electronic system for submitting residence applications via the Case Handling Module run by the Head of the Office for Foreigners. In the new system, the existing paper certificates for temporary residence applications will be replaced with an attachment completed online by the university.

A certificate according to the new template will be required in proceedings for issuing a national visa with the annotation “student”. This document must be submitted by a foreigner applying for a visa in order to pursue first- or second-cycle studies, long-cycle master's studies or studies at a doctoral school.

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The new certificate template provides for a broader scope of data than the previous document. Universities will have to provide, among others: the student's PESEL number (if he has it), the unit's REGON number, as well as its e-mail address and telephone number. It is also possible to enter more than one name and more than one citizenship of the visa holder.

The document will also include precise dates of starting education and planned completion of studies, instead of the general definition of the duration of studies used previously. The terminology has been updated, replacing “type of study” with “level of study”, in line with the applicable higher education regulations.

According to the ministry's data, the new regulations will apply to 351 universities and 192 entities running doctoral schools. The change concerns a large group of people – in the academic year 2024/2025, approximately 107,000 foreigners studied in Poland.

Consultations on the draft regulation last until March 13 this year. (PAP)

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