The Embassy of Poland in India has introduced new procedures for Indian students applying for study visas. As of July 2, 2024, all Indian nationals seeking a national study visa to Poland must register their applications through the e-consult system. This update is a significant change aimed at streamlining the application process.
Last year, Poland saw over 10,000 international students enroll in its universities, with approximately 3,000 of them hailing from India. Indian students are drawn to Poland for its high-quality education, cultural diversity, and relatively low living costs.
The new system, implemented at the Embassy of Poland in New Delhi and the Consulate General in Mumbai, assigns application appointments based on the order of registration. This system is intended to make the visa application process more efficient.
The Embassy of Poland in New Delhi handles visa applications from citizens or residents of specific Indian states, including:
Assam
Arunachal Pradesh
Bihar
Chhattisgarh
Delhi (NCR)
Haryana
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu-Kashmir
Jharkhand
Madhya Pradesh
Manipur
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Nagaland
Odisha
Punjab
Rajasthan
Sikkim
Tripura
Uttaranchal
Uttar Pradesh
West Bengal
Additionally, the New Delhi Embassy also processes applications from citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Poland remains a popular destination for Indian students, although it rejected about 18% of visa applications last year. The Polish government offers two main types of visas for students:
C-Type Visa (Short-term): Valid for up to 90 days, this visa is suitable for short courses or exchange programs.
D-Type Visa (Long-term): This is the most common visa for students enrolling in full-degree programs. It is renewable and typically valid for over 90 days, often up to one year.
Cost of Studying in Poland
Polish universities are known for offering competitive tuition fees compared to other European countries, with costs generally 30% to 50% lower than in other EU nations. When compared to studying in the United States or the United Kingdom, education in Poland can be up to 70% cheaper.
For Indian students, the cost of studying in Poland varies depending on the university and program. Annual tuition fees range from INR 2 lakh (approximately $2,395) to INR 7 lakh (around $8,383). Living expenses, including accommodation, food, transport, and personal needs, average about INR 6 lakh (around $7,183) per year.