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Pathway

Poland Graduate Job Search Residence

Poland Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Recent graduates of qualifying Polish higher education can receive one 9-month residence period to seek employment or prepare a business.

Who can apply
Recent graduates of Polish higher education
Support
Health insurance, housing, and enough funds for living costs and return travel
When to apply
Immediately after graduation, from inside Poland, no later than the last day of lawful stay

Summary

A qualifying non-EU graduate of a Polish university can receive a temporary residence permit to look for work or prepare to start a business. The permit is available once and lasts 9 months.

The application must be filed in Poland during legal stay connected with studies and directly after completing the qualifying studies. It is a transition period, not an open-ended graduate visa.

Use the time after graduation to plan your next step
  1. Before filing Finish an eligible Polish course Get your diploma and check your legal student status.
  2. Immediately after completion Apply promptly Apply directly after graduation and before your legal stay ends.
  3. Once, for nine months Find a job or prepare a business Use the approved time to arrange your next activity and apply for the required residence permit.

This graduate permit is temporary. Starting work or a business and staying longer each have separate requirements.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

The applicant must be a graduate covered by the Polish higher-education rule and must provide the diploma or other official completion evidence. The person must also show:

The application must be submitted no later than the last day of legal stay in Poland, and the official procedure describes it as an application made immediately after graduation. Missing that timing can require a different immigration route.

What This Route Allows

Approval permits a 9-month stay in Poland for a job search or business preparation. Once the graduate finds qualifying work or begins the planned activity, they should move to the residence-and-work or business status that matches the new circumstances.

Graduates of qualifying full-time Polish studies are exempt from needing a separate work permit, but still need a residence basis that allows the work.

What This Route Is Not

This is not a renewal-based multi-year post-study visa, and it is not available repeatedly after different degrees. It does not guarantee a job, authorize permanent residence, or replace a later work or business residence application.

It also is not a route for every short course or school program. The exact qualification and institution must fall within the official graduate provision.

Next Steps

  1. Ask the university for the diploma or official proof of completion and the documents needed by immigration.
  2. Confirm your qualifying study-related stay and file through MOS immediately after graduation, before that stay expires. If you already have an employer ready to hire you, use the appropriate work-residence route.
  3. Prepare insurance, housing, resource, and return-travel evidence.
  4. Document the job-search or business-preparation plan.
  5. After finding work or establishing the business, apply promptly for the residence status that matches it.

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Sources