Graduate Levels
Graduates who have obtained a qualifying Polish higher-education diploma.
- Bachelor's Graduates
- Engineering Graduates
- Master's Graduates
- Doctoral-School Graduates
🇵🇱 Poland
Graduate / Post-Study Residence
Stay in Poland After Graduation
← Back to Poland
Poland provides a dedicated temporary residence pathway allowing qualifying graduates of Polish higher-education institutions to remain in Poland after completing their studies.
The permit gives eligible international graduates additional time to seek employment in Poland or prepare to start business activity in Poland.
The permit is granted once for a period of 9 months.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international graduates in assessing post-study residence options and planning their transition from studies to employment or business in Poland.
What is Graduate / Post-Study Residence?
The official Polish pathway is a: TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT DUE TO OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES FOR A GRADUATE OF A POLISH UNIVERSITY.
It is designed to allow qualifying graduates to remain legally in Poland immediately after completing their education while preparing for the next stage of their professional future.
Two Principal Purposes
The permit can be used for two principal purposes:
- SEEKING EMPLOYMENT
- PREPARING TO CONDUCT BUSINESS ACTIVITY
Who Can Qualify?
The pathway can potentially be available to qualifying third-country nationals, stateless persons, and graduates of Polish universities, including:
Polish University Requirement
The applicant must have graduated from a Polish higher-education institution. This permit should not be presented as a general European graduate visa for someone who completed university in another country.
Qualifying Education
For this residence pathway, a graduate generally means a person who has obtained a qualifying Polish higher-education diploma confirming completion of First-Cycle Studies, Second-Cycle Studies, Long-Cycle Master's Studies, or Doctoral-School Education, with the corresponding recognised qualification.
Application Timing & Submission
The application must be submitted immediately after obtaining the diploma while the graduate is still legally residing in Poland in connection with their studies.
If the graduate leaves Poland after receiving the diploma without applying under the applicable conditions, they can lose the opportunity to obtain this specific post-study permit. The application should therefore be planned before the student's existing legal residence ends.
This particular post-study residence application cannot be submitted from abroad. The applicant must satisfy the applicable requirements for filing while legally residing in Poland.
Timing is extremely important.
Duration & One-Time Permit
The Graduate Residence Permit is granted for a period of 9 months.
The permit is granted once. It cannot simply be renewed for another nine months.
Before the permit expires, the graduate must qualify for another residence basis if they wish to continue living in Poland. Potential future pathways can include:
- Temporary Residence & Work
- EU Blue Card
- Business Activity Residence
- Scientific Research Residence
- Family Residence
- Another Appropriate Residence Category
Job Seeking in Poland
One of the principal purposes of the permit is to allow the graduate to search for employment in Poland. During the nine-month period, the graduate can explore the Polish labour market and identify suitable professional opportunities.
Important: If the graduate has already started working or already found an employer ready to employ them, this particular Graduate Residence Permit is generally not the appropriate pathway. The graduate should instead assess the applicable Employment Residence Permit.
Transitioning to Work or Blue Card
Once qualifying employment has been found, the graduate can potentially transition to Temporary Residence & Work or an EU Blue Card.
An EU Blue Card requires qualifying highly skilled employment and satisfaction of the applicable professional qualification, contract, and salary threshold requirements.
Practical Example
A student completes a Master's degree in Warsaw. At graduation, the student does not yet have an employer but wants to remain in Poland to search for professional employment.
The graduate may potentially apply for the 9-month Graduate Residence Permit. During this period, the graduate finds qualifying employment.
Before the post-study residence expires, the graduate can assess and transition to the appropriate employment residence pathway.
From Graduation to Employment
Business Preparation
The second principal purpose is preparation to conduct business activity in Poland. This period can provide qualifying graduates with time to prepare their entrepreneurial future, including:
- Business Concept & Plan
- Company Structure & Corporate Documentation
- Market Research & Operational Planning
- Financing & Investment
- Identifying Business Partners
Note: The Graduate Residence Permit does not mean that establishing a company automatically gives the graduate a new long-term residence right. Simply registering a company, becoming a shareholder, or investing capital does not guarantee continued residence. To continue residing in Poland, the applicant must satisfy the separate requirements for Business Activity Residence.
Financial & Health Requirements
Health Insurance
The applicant must demonstrate qualifying healthcare coverage in Poland, such as Polish Public Healthcare Coverage or insurance covering medical treatment costs in Poland.
Financial Resources
The graduate must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to cover living costs and return or onward travel costs.
- Living Costs: Generally should exceed 1,010 PLN per month for a person without dependants, or 823 PLN per month per person for those with dependent family members.
- Return Travel Funds: The required amount depends on the destination (Neighbouring Poland, Other EU/EEA/Swiss, or Other Countries).
Accommodation
The applicant must have a secured place of residence in Poland and provide the applicable supporting documentation.
Application Procedure
The application is submitted through Poland's MOS – Case Handling Module under the applicable electronic residence procedure. Submitting information into MOS alone does not mean the application is effectively completed; confirmation of receipt and procedural requirements must be met.
The application is handled by the Competent Voivode according to the applicant's place of residence. The Head of the Office for Foreigners acts as the second-instance authority.
- Stamp Duty: 340 PLN (Verify before filing)
- Residence Card: A separate fee can apply for issuance
Comparisons With Other Programs
vs. Student Residence
Student Residence is for ongoing studies; Graduate Residence is for the period immediately following successful completion.
vs. Work Residence
Graduate Residence is for seeking employment; Work Residence is for those who already have qualifying employment.
vs. EU Blue Card
Graduate Residence doesn't require an existing job offer; EU Blue Card requires highly skilled employment and meeting specific requirements.
vs. Business Activity Residence
Graduate Residence provides time to prepare; Business Activity Residence is for entrepreneurs genuinely conducting business and satisfying economic requirements.
Our Process
- 01
Graduate Status Assessment
We verify if you qualify as a graduate of a Polish higher-education institution.
- 02
Application Timing
Your graduation date and existing legal residence are reviewed for compliance.
- 03
Post-Study Objective
Determining if you intend to seek employment or prepare business activity.
- 04
Financial Assessment
Required living and return-travel resources are reviewed.
- 05
Healthcare & Accommodation
Coordinating healthcare coverage and Polish accommodation documentation.
- 06
Graduate Documentation
Preparing the diploma and university documentation for submission.
- 07
MOS Application
Coordinating the residence application through Poland's electronic MOS procedure.
- 08
Post-Study Period
Developing your employment or business strategy during the nine-month period.
- 09
Transition Assessment
Assessing the appropriate next residence pathway once employment or business is secured.
- 10
Long-Term Immigration Strategy
Reviewing future residence opportunities according to your professional objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get this permit for 2 years?
No. The Graduate Residence Permit is granted for 9 months.
Can I renew it?
No. It is a one-time permit.
Can I apply after leaving Poland?
Generally no. The application must satisfy the requirements for filing while legally residing in Poland immediately after obtaining the diploma.
Do I need an employer to apply for this specific permit?
No. One of the principal purposes is to allow you to search for employment.
Related Polish Pathways
Build Your Future After Graduation
From Polish Education to Professional Life
Graduating from a Polish university does not necessarily mean that an international student must immediately leave Poland.
The Graduate Residence Permit can provide qualifying graduates with nine additional months to seek employment or prepare to establish a business.
CETO can coordinate the post-study residence process and help structure the transition toward employment, highly qualified work or business immigration together with qualified professional partners.