We would first like to welcome you to the Warsaw School of Economics! In this section we would like to assist you from your admissions to SGH and first semester of studies. Under each section we write a little about the topic and have a link to a guide for each topic. We have developed guides to meet your particular needs, but if there is anything else you would like to know about please let us know! 

|Non-EU citizens |

 

  Non EU - Resident students might enter the country with a student visa which they can request in the Polish Embassy of their home country. The student visa will be issued for a period of approximately 12 months. After this period it is mandatory to apply for the residence card till the end of your studies. The application for a residence permit for a specified period of time should be submitted to the Voivode at least 45 days before the end of the residence period specified on the visa or the period, for which a previous residence permit for a specified period has been issued. In case the Voivode is unable to issue a decision within this deadline, you will obtain a visa for a period until the first step proceedings are complete.If the application has been filed less than 45 days before the expiry of the visa residence period or the period for which a previous residence permit for a specified time was issued and proceedings are not completed before the expiry of your residence permit, you are requested to leave the territory of Poland and await the decision abroad. In case you do not leavethe territory of Poland, the Voivode will refuse the issuance of a residence permit for a specified period of time. 

 

Have a look at the website of the Polish Ministry of Voivodeship: http://www.mazowieckie.pl/portal/en/27/28/Residence_legalization.html

 

Advice

 

 We strongly suggest starting this process at least 2 months prior to expiration of your visa or any other resident permit to avoid any unnecessary trouble due to the fact that data processing takes a long time and only a limited amount of people is serviced by the office every day. The process itself is very time consuming. When considering going for Erasmus or for holidays to your home country it is better to complete the process earlier before leaving Poland to avoid unnecessary complications.

 

| Documents needed |

 

• 4 copies of a completed application form for theissuance of a residence permit for a specified periodof time

 

Advice

 

To spare your time instead of filling in the application form 4times, make a copy of it without the first and the last pages– on these pages your original signature is required.

 

• 4 colour photographs of 4,5cm x 3,5cm. These photos should be against a plain or off-white background. They have to show a clear, front view-full face of theperson. The person‘s expression should be natural,with closed lips and both eyes open, looking directly ahead. The person should not wear a hat or darkglasses.

• passport (original) + copy of the whole passport(every single page)

• documents necessary for the confirmation of dataprovided in the form and circumstances justifyingapplication for a residence permit for a specifiedperiod of time, i.e. confirmation of studies. There is a specific form to be delivered named “Zaświadczenieo przyjęciu na studia”(original) and to be completed by the Dean Office. It is available only in Polish: http://www.mazowieckie.pl/portal/pl/959/8901/Formularze.html

• general duty stamps or proof of paying the consularfee (PLN 340)

• confirmation of residence (zameldowanie na czasoznaczony*), a document from the landlord or place you are renting confirming your agreement. It is advisable to take both the zameldowanie na czasoznaczony plus the document confirming youragreement. (original + copy)

• confirmation of fees paid for the studies, includingadmission fees

• confirmation of your bank account or credit card (nodebit card allowed!) proving that you have a stableand regular income that is sufficient to cover yourcosts of living (around 20,000 PLN).

 

 

Housing
| Finding a Roof |

According to a UBS survey in 2011, Warsaw was ranked as the 46th most expensive city of the world1. Consequently, it is not as tough to find an appropriate accommodation as in other European capitals in case you do not want to live in one of the SGH dorms. When looking for a flat, one should keep in mind that apartments on the left side of the river a generally more expensive than the ones on the right side due to the fact that the centre as well as most of the tourist attractions and shopping facilities are located there. The average exchange rates of foreign currencies are available on the homepage of the Polish Central Bank (http://www.nbp.pl/kursy/ratesa.html). Warsaw is divided into 18 districts. The most expensive flats (the ones with the best locations) can be found in the Śródmieście (Center), the Old Town and in Mokotów, Wilanów and Żoliborz. Districts that are also relatively close to the center being well-connected by public transport are Ochota and Wola. SGH is situated in the Mokotów district. When finally searching for an apartment the following links can be of great use:
www.wspollokator.pl (website in Polish and English)
www.gumtree.pl (only in Polish)
www.domiporta.pl (only in Polish)
www.e-stancja.pl (only in Polish)
www.szybko.pl (only in Polish)

| Navigating the Polish Web |

Unfortunately, most of the websites with offers for renting apartments are still only available in Polish. Yet, Google Translator should help you selecting an appropriate flat. Usually, it is a common practice to pay a security deposit,which amounts to one month´s rent. In case everything is inorder you will get the whole sum back at the end of the tenancy.The owner might return less if some damages have occurredduring the tenancy period. Furthermore, a tenancy agreement(umowa najmu) should be signed where all agreements of theuse of the flat are stated (period of tenancy, whether themonthly rent covers all expenses or if you have to pay the utilitybills extra etc.).In case you want to come to Warsaw a little earlier in orderto find an apartment you can find a roof above your head in oneof the following hostels:

Oki Doki (http://www.okidoki.pl)

Helvetia (http://www.hostel-helvetia.pl)

Tamka (http://www.tamkahostel.pl)

Zielone Mazowsze (http://hostel.zm.org.pl)

Kanonia (http://www.kanonia.pl)

Hostel w Centrum 4U (http://hostelwcentrum.pl/)