Skip to content 
What Are the Fees for a Poland Student Visa?
oland has become a popular study destination for Sri Lankan students who want a European degree, English-taught programmes and a lower cost of living than Western Europe. Public and private universities in cities like Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk now welcome a steady flow of students from South Asia.
Before you pay a university deposit, one question matters most: how much does a Poland student visa actually cost, and what else will you pay along the way? Many websites still show old fees from 2023 or 2024, which can leave you short of money at the visa centre.
This guide explains every official fee a Sri Lankan student pays, from the national visa application to the residence card in Poland. It also covers the bank balance you must show, the costs that are special to Sri Lankan applicants, and simple ways to avoid paying twice. If you want an expert to check your file, our Poland visa counsellors can help.
Poland Student Visa Fee in 2026: The Official Amount
Students coming to Poland for a full degree apply for a National Visa (Type D) with the purpose of study. Poland changed its consular fees on 1 January 2026 under a Regulation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs dated 29 October 2025. The national visa application fee is now EUR 200. This replaced the older EUR 80 and EUR 135 figures that many websites still show.
The Polish Embassy in New Delhi, which handles applicants from Sri Lanka, lists the same fee in Indian rupees in its consular fees table effective 01.01.2026 : INR 21,120 for "administering an application for a national visa".
Poland Student Visa and Residence Permit Fees
| Fee Item | Official Amount | Approx. in LKR* | Paid Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| National (D) student visa application | EUR 200 (INR 21,120) | LKR 74,000 | At the visa application centre |
| Reconsideration of a refused national visa | EUR 200 (INR 21,120) | LKR 74,000 | When you file the appeal |
| Temporary residence permit for studies (stamp duty) | PLN 340 | LKR 29,000 | In Poland, to the city office |
| Residence card (Karta Pobytu) | PLN 100 (reduced PLN 50) | LKR 4,300 to 8,500 | In Poland, after approval |
*LKR amounts are approximate conversions and may vary depending on the prevailing exchange rate.
Important Rules About the Poland Visa Fee
The embassy states that the application fee is not returned "whatever the consul's decision". Therefore, applicants should ensure that their documents and supporting information are properly prepared before submitting the application.
The fee that applies is the amount in force on the day you submit your application, not the day you collect your passport. Keep this in mind when planning your visa application.
Total Visa-Related Cost for a Sri Lankan Student
Here is a realistic picture of what you pay to the Polish government in your first year. These figures do not include tuition, flights or insurance premiums.
| Stage | Government fee | Approx. in LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Before departure: national D visa | EUR 200 | LKR 74,000 |
| In Poland: residence permit stamp duty | PLN 340 | LKR 29,000 |
| In Poland: residence card | PLN 50 to 100 | LKR 4,300 to 8,500 |
| Total official fees | EUR 200 + PLN 390 to 440 | About LKR 107,000 to 112,000 |
On top of this, your bank statement should show at least PLN 12,120 for one year of living costs plus PLN 2,500 for return travel (or a return ticket) plus your tuition fee.
Where Sri Lankan Students Apply and Why It Affects Cost
This is the part most fee guides skip. Poland does not run a visa section for Sri Lanka in Colombo. According to the Embassy of Poland in New Delhi, the embassy accepts national visa applications from citizens and residents of Sri Lanka, along with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, the Maldives and Nepal.
What this means for your budget
- You register for a study visa slot through the e-Konsulat system and choose the New Delhi mission.
- You must attend the assigned visa application centre in person. Applications by post, fax or email are not accepted.
- Study visa slots at the New Delhi embassy are released on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 and are given in order of registration.
- Plan for return air travel to India, an Indian visa or ETA, and two to three nights of stay. These costs are not paid to the Polish government, but they are real costs of a Sri Lankan student’s application.
The embassy also states that it does not work with travel agents or visa agents to arrange appointments. Anyone selling “guaranteed slots” is not connected to the embassy. A genuine consultant helps you prepare a strong file, not buy an appointment.
Fees You Pay After Arriving in Poland
A national visa usually covers your first year. To stay for the rest of your degree, you apply for a temporary residence permit for studies at the voivodeship office where you live.
- Stamp duty for the permit: PLN 340, confirmed by study.gov.pl and the University of Warsaw welcome centre.
- Residence card: PLN 100 standard, or PLN 50 for eligible students. Check eligibility for the reduced fee with your voivodeship office.
- Application method: Poland is moving residence permit applications online through the MOS system. Access to MOS is free. You pay the stamp duty and card fee by bank transfer to the accounts named by the office, then attach proof of payment.
Proof of Funds: The Biggest "Hidden" Cost
The visa fee is small compared with the money you must show in your bank account. Poland asks students to prove they can cover living costs, return travel and tuition. The official figures published by the Wielkopolska Voivodeship Office (Poznań) are:
| Requirement | Official amount | Approx. in LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Living costs for a single student | PLN 1,010 per month of stay | LKR 86,000 per month |
| Living costs for 12 months | PLN 12,120 | LKR 1,030,000 |
| Each dependent family member | PLN 823 per person per month | LKR 70,000 per month |
| Return travel (non-EU country such as Sri Lanka) | PLN 2,500, or a return ticket | LKR 212,500 |
| Tuition fee | As stated by your university | Varies by course |
Many older articles still quote PLN 776 per month. That figure is out of date. If you show only PLN 776 per month, your balance may fall short of what the officer expects.
New NAWA Rule That Can Lead to Refusal
Since 1 July 2025, some first-year bachelor’s and long-cycle master’s applicants need a written statement from NAWA (Poland’s National Agency for Academic Exchange) confirming that their school-leaving certificate allows them to study in Poland. The embassy notice is clear: not presenting this document “will result in refusal of the student visa”.
For Sri Lankan students, this mainly affects those applying with GCE A/L results for an undergraduate programme. A refusal means losing the EUR 200 fee and paying again, so sort out NAWA recognition early with your university.
Step-by-Step: How to Pay the Poland Student Visa Fee
- Get your admission letter and, if needed, the NAWA statement for your A/L certificate.
- Arrange proof of funds covering tuition, PLN 1,010 per month of living costs and return travel.
- Buy travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 from an accepted insurer.
- Register on e-Konsulat, choose the New Delhi mission and book a study visa slot.
- Fill the VFS online form before your visit to the visa application centre.
- Pay the visa fee (EUR 200, collected as INR 21,120 at the New Delhi mission) when you submit your documents and biometrics.
- Track your application. Decisions are usually made within 15 days and can take up to 30 days in justified cases.
- After arrival, apply for your temporary residence permit and pay PLN 340 stamp duty plus the card fee.
Common Mistakes That Cost Sri Lankan Students Money
Using old fee figures
Planning with EUR 80 or EUR 135 leaves you short at the visa centre. The fee for applications submitted from 1 January 2026 is EUR 200.
Showing the old PLN 776 living cost figure
The current minimum is PLN 1,010 per month for a single student. A low balance is one of the easiest reasons to refuse a study visa.
Skipping the NAWA statement
Undergraduate applicants with GCE A/L results should check early whether they need it. Without it, the visa is refused and the fee is not returned.
Paying agents for appointments
The Polish missions do not sell or reserve slots through agents. Book directly on e-Konsulat.
Choosing insurance that is not accepted
Buy a policy from an insurer on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs list, with at least EUR 30,000 cover for the full stay.
How GIEC Global Helps Sri Lankan Students
GIEC Global guides Sri Lankan students from university selection to visa approval. Our counsellors check your admission letter, NAWA requirement, bank documents and insurance before you travel to the visa centre, so you do not lose the EUR 200 fee on a weak file. We also help you plan your residence permit once you land in Poland.
Frequently Asked Questions
The national (D) student visa fee is EUR 200 for applications submitted from 1 January 2026. At the Polish Embassy in New Delhi, which handles Sri Lankan applicants, it is listed as INR 21,120
EUR 200 is roughly LKR 74,000 at current exchange rates. The rate changes daily, so keep a small buffer.
No. The embassy states that the visa fee is not refunded, whatever the consul’s decision.
The Embassy of Poland in New Delhi accepts national visa applications from Sri Lankan citizens and residents. You register on e-Konsulat and submit your application in person at the assigned visa application centre.
You must show at least PLN 1,010 per month of stay for living costs, PLN 2,500 for return travel (or a return ticket), and your tuition fee. For one year, living costs alone come to PLN 12,120.
No. PLN 776 is an older figure. The current official minimum for a single student is PLN 1,010 per month.
The stamp duty for a temporary residence permit for studies is PLN 340. You also pay for the residence card once the permit is granted.
The standard fee is PLN 100. Eligible students may pay a reduced fee of PLN 50. Confirm eligibility with your voivodeship office.
A request to reconsider a national visa decision costs EUR 200 (INR 21,120 at the New Delhi mission). You have 14 days from collecting your passport to appeal.
You need travel medical insurance with cover of at least EUR 30,000, valid for the whole intended stay, from an insurer accepted by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Decisions are usually made within 15 days of submission. In justified cases, it can take up to 30 days.
Since 1 July 2025, first-year bachelor’s and long-cycle master’s applicants whose school certificate is not automatically recognised need written information from NAWA. Without it, the visa will be refused. Check with your university early.
Can I pay an agent to get an early Poland visa appointment?
Can I work in Poland on a student visa?
What is the total government cost of a Poland student visa in the first year?
No. The Polish missions in India say they do not work with travel agents or visa agents to arrange appointments. Book your slot yourself on e-Konsulat.
Yes. Holders of a national visa marked “student”, or a temporary residence permit for full-time university study, can work in Poland without a separate work permit.
About EUR 200 for the visa plus PLN 390 to 440 for the residence permit and card, roughly LKR 107,000 to 112,000. Tuition, insurance, flights and proof of funds are extra.
