Visa for exchange studies in Poland

[zaffresky]

I am a Pakistani national and want to apply for Polish student visa but there is some confusion regarding the financial means. I request all forum members to please guide me in this regard.

Following details are mentioned by the embassy regarding the financial means.


1. Sponsorship formal obligation of your sponsor (Affidavit), certified by notaries act in Pakistan, proof of sufficient financial means of your sponsor (proof of income and bank statements) or Polish or foreign official scholarship.

2. Statement of fix deposit account in Pakistan of applicant with at least 5000 EURO per studying year.


INFORMATION FOR THE FOREIGNERS

Any foreigner traveling to the Republic of Poland in order to begin or continue his/her studies, partake in medical research or any other kind of trainings, should posses an amount of 1,600 zlotys or its equivalent in foreign currency, so as to be able to cover the costs of living and lodging for each month of his/her stay.
Documents, with which the foreigner, as stated in the act, is able to prove his possession of the above mentioned amount, necessary to cover his/her costs of living and lodging, are as follows:

Bank statement issued by a financial institution, with one of its branches being located on the territory of the Republic of Poland; the bank statement should prove the foreigner’s possession of an amount not less than that declared above, stamped and singed by an eligible bank staff member and issued not (sooner/later) than one month prior to crossing the border; traveller’s cheques; credit card, with which the foreigner is able to pay on the territory of the Republic of Poland, along with a bank statement declaring the limit of the credit card; debit card issued by a bank, which the foreigner will be able to use on the territory of the Republic of Poland, along with an up-to-date bank statement declaring the state of the bank account or an official bank letter, in which the same information will be included; original copy of the invitation, as stated in article 16 of the act dated 13 June 2003, in regards to foreigners; document proving that the foreigner is eligible and has been granted a scholarship.

In case when a declaration, as stated in the act proclaims that a foreigner will begin his/her studies, partake in medical research or other forms of training, on the grounds of payment, a proof of payment covering the first year of studies or its full term, if the studies will take less than one year, is also necessary; or a statement proving the possession of funds in the amount sufficient to cover the cost of studies, provided in the declaration.

Additional details " The M.Sc program has a pecularity that each semester is organized in a different country and the first semester will be organized in Poland."



Now I am uncertain about the following aspects

1. Do I need to present/deposit the study cost for 1 year (5000 Euro) or for the whole duration of course i.e. 2 years (10,000)? [In fact, due to nature of the program I'll be studying only for 1 semester in Poland]

2. Since the financial means will be transferred from my father's account to mine, do I still need to present a sponsorship formal obligation? and do I need any proof (e.g. Affidavit) that my father has given me this money ?

3. What I have understood from the above mentioned requirements, I need to show a proof of fix deposit (5000 or 10,000 Euros) + 1600 PLN/month ( as living costs). Am I right ?

4. Also, I think that fix deposit amount may be in any local bank, while the living costs should be deposited in such a bank that has its branch in Poland? Do you think that is the case ?

5. lastly, the embassy mentions "Return ticket (open) to Pakistan". I intend to return to pakistan after the completion of my course and open tickets are not available for duration more than 1 year. Also purchasing actual tickets will be risky in case there is somthing wrong with my application.What should I do?


I kindly request all forum members to please guide me. Thank you in advance

[enduringdifficulties]

Hi there,

You're complicating things that are pretty simple, so don't worry.

First off, 5000€ to study in Poland is just toooo much. Anyhow.

You do not need any affidavit or sponsorship. All you need is have the required amount of money for study and living costs deposited into your bank account.
The money DOES not have to be deposited in a bank that has a branch in Poland. All you have to do is prove that you are in possession of that money.

As for the return ticket. I myself bought a one-way ticket so I don't think there's a reason for them to require from you a 2-way ticket, that's just ridiculous. However, if your studies are going to last for, say, 3-12 months then they might be expecting you to have a return ticket. Bear in mind tho, that the people at the embassy are usually very misinformed, my Pakistani friend was told he needed a visa to Poland when he actually did not.

Which city are you coming to ?

If you need some local help and I have the possibility to help you, that shouldn't be a problem to me. I studied in Poland in the past as well as in other European countries.[/u]

[zaffresky]

@ enduringdifficulties

Thank you so much for replying.

The condition of having money in a bank that has branch in Poland also seemed strange to me because nowadays, VISA debit or credit card from any bank is accepted in almost country. But, I was bit suspicious that the local Polish embassy might object if my deposits were in a local bank.

Regarding the return ticket, my studies in Poland will last for only a semester (a little over 4 months), and I will be moving to Spain for the next semester rather than going back home. A travel agent has advised me that instead of paying for a return open ticket, he can give me a ticket that will be genuinely booked but cancelled subsequently. An open return ticket from Pakistan cost around 1000 Euros and since there is no guarantee of obtaining visa, I might face a heft loss. However, I am not sure to proceed this way. What do you advise? Can it cause problems for me if the embassy founds that the ticket was booked but cancelled later?

It's great to know that you've studied in Poland. Did you participate in an Erasmus Program? You could be a great source of information. By the way, I will be studying at the TU of Lodz.

I hope to hear from you soon.