Real Barriers
The stricter visa and migration regulations introduced in 2025, aimed at tightening the education system and eliminating the phenomenon of fictitious students, have changed the realities of student recruitment.
Previously, studying in Poland was sometimes treated simply as an easy „gateway” to the Schengen Area. That is no longer the case.
Among the new requirements is the obligation to prove proficiency in the language of instruction at a minimum B2 level, as well as much stricter verification of the authenticity of documents and more thorough checks by consular authorities regarding applicants’ purpose of travel and financial stability.
Universities are now required to monitor student attendance and academic progress more closely, while the new labour market regulations make the possibility of taking up employment without a work permit dependent on the status of the university (which can be verified at radon.nauka.gov.pl). Combined with lengthy procedures at provincial offices, this has significantly extended the process of legalising residence.
As a result, data published by the Information Processing Centre – National Research Institute (OPI PIB) in July 2026 show that the number of international students has fallen by more than 7,000, while first-year enrolment was nearly 9,000 students lower than in the previous year.
Representatives of the Warsaw School of Economics (SGH), when asked about this year’s recruitment, confirm that compared with previous years there has been noticeably lower interest in studying, largely due to the increased difficulty of obtaining the documents required for admission. Applicants now need both a decision from the Director of the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) and a visa.
„The greatest challenges remain factors beyond the universities’ control, including the lengthy process of obtaining NAWA decisions regarding the recognition of foreign diplomas and visa procedures. Another significant obstacle is the limited availability of appointments at consulates, which in practice prevents some qualified candidates from starting their studies in Poland despite meeting all the requirements”, says the previously quoted Davut Han Aslan from Vistula University.
Administrative formalities have been a challenge for international students for years. „For me, the biggest problem was simply enrolling at a university. Polish universities are still not fully prepared for applicants holding foreign secondary-school diplomas. Every university converted grades differently some awarded the maximum number of points, while others gave none at all. The differences were enormous”, recalls Nicola Secci.
Khumoyun adds that his biggest problem is the lack of a residence permit, for which he has already been waiting a long time. „Without it, you can return home, but you never know whether you will be granted another visa and be able to come back”, he says.
Moreover, with a residence permit, students do not need an additional work permit. The residence card also serves as an identity document for banking, renting accommodation or even visiting a doctor.
„It simply makes life easier”, concludes the student from Uzbekistan.
