Poland Student Visa from Nepal: National (Type D) Visa & TRC (2026)
Step-by-step National (Type D) visa and Temporary Residence Card process, documents, fees and financial proof for Nepali students.
To study in Poland for longer than 90 days, a Nepali student needs a National (Type D) visa — a long-stay entry visa that lets you travel to Poland and begin your studies. Once you arrive, if your programme runs longer than your visa, you apply inside Poland for a Temporary Residence Card (TRC, or Karta Pobytu) to cover the rest of your degree. This guide walks through both steps, the documents, fees, processing times, and the financial proof Nepali applicants must show.
Poland does not have a visa-issuing embassy in Nepal, so applications are handled through the Polish Embassy / visa application centre responsible for Nepal (currently in New Delhi, India). Plan your timeline around the trip and appointment availability. For the bigger picture, read our Study in Poland guide for Nepali students, and budget the full journey with our cost of studying in Poland breakdown.
National (Type D) Visa: Step by Step
- Get your acceptance letter. Secure an official admission/acceptance letter from a recognised Polish university for an English-taught programme.
- Pay the tuition deposit. Pay the required first instalment or deposit and keep the official payment receipt — this is core visa evidence.
- Arrange insurance. Buy Schengen-compliant travel health insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage for your initial stay.
- Gather your documents (see the checklist below), with everything in English or Polish.
- Complete the e-application. Fill in the National (Type D) visa form online and book an appointment at the Polish visa application centre responsible for Nepal.
- Attend the appointment. Submit documents and biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and pay the EUR 135 national visa fee plus VFS service charges.
- Wait for the decision. Processing usually takes 15-30 calendar days, but can stretch to 60 days during peak intakes.
- Travel and register. Enter Poland within your visa validity, then apply for a TRC if your course runs longer than the visa.
The official process and current document list are published on the Study in Poland visa & application page. Always cross-check the checklist on the visa centre's website before your appointment, as requirements change.
Documents You Need
- Valid passport (with at least two blank pages, valid well beyond your intended stay)
- Completed and printed National (Type D) visa application form
- Recent biometric passport photos to Schengen specification
- Official letter of admission/acceptance from the Polish university
- Proof of paid tuition (deposit or first instalment receipt)
- Proof of sufficient financial means for tuition and living costs (see below)
- Proof of accommodation in Poland (dormitory confirmation or rental agreement)
- Travel health insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 coverage
- Academic certificates and transcripts (and English-language test results if required)
- Round-trip flight reservation or itinerary
For Nepal-specific paperwork — bank balance certificates, source-of-funds documentation, and NRB rules for sending money abroad — see our application process guide for Nepali students. If your programme needs an English score, prepare with our IELTS preparation guide.
Fees & Processing Time
| Item | Cost | Approx. NPR |
|---|---|---|
| National (Type D) visa fee | EUR 135 | approx. NPR 20,000 |
| VFS / visa centre service charge | varies | approx. NPR 3,000 - 6,000 |
| Travel health insurance (initial) | EUR 100 - 300 | approx. NPR 15,000 - 45,000 |
| TRC application + card (in Poland) | PLN ~440 | approx. NPR 15,000 |
Processing the National (Type D) visa usually takes 15-30 calendar days, sometimes up to 60 days in the busy July-September intake window. Apply as early as your acceptance letter allows. Fees are indicative — verify the current visa fee on the official Study in Poland visa page before you pay.
Financial Proof for the Visa
You must show you can cover your whole stay. Poland's official baseline for a non-EU student is roughly PLN 701 per month for living costs plus a one-time PLN 2,500 for return travel, on top of accommodation and tuition. In practice, a Nepali applicant should show funds covering the first year — proof of paid tuition plus living costs and a return ticket is the strongest combination, often PLN 22,000-30,000 or more (approx. NPR 7.7-10.5 Lakh) once accommodation is added.
- Funds must be genuine and traceable — bank statements should show a consistent history, not a sudden one-off deposit.
- A bank balance certificate, sponsor declaration, and source-of-funds evidence strengthen your case.
- Official maintenance amounts change periodically, so confirm the current figure before you apply.
The official maintenance requirement is published on Poland's government portal — see the gov.pl financial-resources page. For the complete cost picture in EUR, PLN and NPR, read our cost of studying in Poland guide.
After You Arrive: The Temporary Residence Card (TRC)
Your National (Type D) visa is often valid for up to one year. If your degree is longer, you must apply for a Temporary Residence Card (Karta Pobytu) at the regional Voivodeship Office (Urzad Wojewodzki) before your visa expires. The TRC is your legal residence document for the rest of your studies and is also what your Schengen travel is based on.
- When to apply: as soon as you settle in, and no later than the last day of your legal stay.
- What you submit: proof of enrolment, health insurance, a Polish address, financial means, and biometrics.
- Cost: about PLN 340 application fee + PLN 100 for the card (approx. NPR 15,000 total).
- PESEL number: register for a PESEL (national ID number) — you will need it for banking, insurance, and work.
Once you hold a full-time Polish degree, you can also apply once for a 9-month graduate residence permit to look for a job — see the work and stay-back details in our Study in Poland overview.
Common Reasons Visas Are Refused
- Weak or unexplained finances (insufficient funds, or large unexplained deposits)
- Doubts about genuine student intent or a vague study plan
- Incomplete documents or inconsistencies between forms and evidence
- Insurance that does not meet the EUR 30,000 minimum
- No proof of accommodation or paid tuition
A clear study plan, well-documented finances, and a complete file dramatically improve your odds. Our counsellors review every Nepali applicant's file before submission — book a free counselling session to get yours checked.