Belarusian citizens who are unable to obtain educational documents in their home country may apply to Polish universities under a special procedure. This was confirmed by Poland’s Ministry of Science and Higher Education in response to an inquiry from the Office of the United Transitional Cabinet for National Revival and the Office for Youth Policy and Students.
The issue affects people who left Belarus and cannot return to obtain an apostille, academic transcripts, school certificates and other documents required for admission, the United Transitional Cabinet reported.
In a response signed by Deputy Minister Andrzej Szeptycki, the ministry said that in 2022 the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) introduced mechanisms allowing education obtained abroad to be recognized even when applicants do not have a complete set of documents.
Belarusians with refugee status or subsidiary protection, as well as those who are unable to obtain documents for political reasons, may apply under the special procedure through the SYRENA system.
The ministry also noted that Polish universities may waive the requirement to submit certified documents if a Belarusian citizen is unable to obtain them for reasons beyond their control.
The final decision in each case, however, rests with the university.
