If you’re a foreign student applying for a Student Temporary Residence Card in Poland, you may have noticed that the Immigration Office in Warsaw has recently increased its focus on reviewing financial documents, especially bank statements. This careful examination is meant to ensure that students can support themselves during their stay in Poland, which is a key requirement for obtaining the TRC.
Increased Attention to Bank Statements
Historically, issues with bank statements were a common reason for a Student TRC application rejections, often due to miscalculations of the required financial support that students need to demonstrate. However, more recently, the Immigration Office has started to look at bank statements more thoroughly, taking into account not just the amount of money in the account but also the consistency and reliability of the financial information provided.
Requests for Additional Financial Documentation
In many cases, around two months after submitting the TRC in Poland application, students receive a request from the Immigration Office to provide additional documentation. This may include:
- A current bank statement from your Polish bank account, showing recent amount of money you have.
- A bank statement covering the last 6 months, also from a Polish bank.
These requests are aimed at verifying that students consistently maintain enough funds to cover their living expenses and tuition costs in Poland. This extra step helps ensure that the financial documentation is reliable and that students can comfortably meet the requirements.
Common Challenges Faced by Students
While the process is designed to ensure transparency, some students may experience challenges when submitting their bank statements. Here are a few common reasons for issues with TRC applications:
- Inconsistent Funds: It’s important to show that your account has a steady balance over time. Sudden large deposits, unexplained transactions, or irregular patterns in your account history can raise questions about your financial situation.
- Lack of Polish Bank Account: While having a foreign bank account may be acceptable, the Immigration Office typically prefers to see funds held in a Polish bank account. This helps demonstrate that you’re financially settled in Poland.
- Insufficient Funds: Even if your calculations were correct, you still need to ensure that your balance consistently reflects the required amount to cover your living and academic expenses. Falling below this threshold can result in complications with your TRC application.
What Has Changed?
While issues with bank statements have always been a concern for TRC applications, the recent increase in the thoroughness of the review means that students need to pay closer attention to both the amount of money in their accounts and how they present their financial history. In the past, rejections were primarily due to miscalculations of the necessary financial resources. Now, additional factors such as the consistency and transparency of the bank statements are being considered as well.
How to Avoid Common Pitfalls
To improve your chances of success with your Student TRC in Poland application, consider the following tips:
- Maintain a Consistent Balance: Make sure your account shows a steady balance over the required period. Try to avoid sudden large deposits that could appear irregular.
- Use a Polish Bank Account
- Use hard copy of bank statement: Visit one of the branches of your Polish Bank and get bank statement with wet stamp and signature of the relevant bank employe
- Remember that no one except you personally can obtain a statement of your bank account.
What to Do If You Receive a Request
If you receive a request from the Immigration Office for additional financial documents, don’t be alarmed. These requests are part of the routine process to ensure that applicants meet the financial requirements. Responding promptly and providing the requested documents will help keep your application on track.
If you’re unsure about how to proceed, it’s a good idea to consult with our licensed immigration attorney or our immigration specialists.
Conclusion
While the Immigration Office in Warsaw has become more thorough in reviewing bank statements, students who carefully manage their finances and provide clear, consistent information should have no difficulty meeting the requirements. Being proactive and transparent with your financial documentation can help avoid delays or complications in your TRC application process.
If you need help navigating Your student TRC in Poland application process, our team is here to assist. Contact us for a consultation and let us guide you through a successful application process.