Temporary residence and work permit in Poland

Foreigners intending to undertake or continue work within the territory of the Republic of Poland, if the circumstances justify the foreigners stay within the territory of the Republic of Poland for the period longer than 3 months.

Also to foreigners intending to undertake or continue work as a board member in a joint-stock company or limited liability company, which shares or stocks are not owned by the foreigner, and the entity which that person manages or will be managing, meets the relevant requirements.

Temporary residence permit shall be granted for the period necessary for implementation of the purpose of the foreigner's stay within the territory of Poland, exceeding 3 months up to 3 years, with the possibility to apply for the subsequent permits.

Please, note important exception: this permit may not be applied for by foreigners:

• being employees delegated by an employer seated outside Polish borders,
• residing within the territory of Poland on the basis of obligations as stipulated in international agreements concerning facilitation of entry and temporary residence of certain categories of natural persons, dealing with commercial transactions or investments, or
• conducting economic activities in Poland,
• performing seasonal work in Poland,
• residing within the territory of Poland on the basis of a visa issued by Polish body for the purpose of tourism or a visit with family or friends, or
• residing within the territory of Poland for the purpose of tourism or visit with family or friends, on the basis of a visa issued by another country of the Schengen area.

Where and when to make the application

Foreigner shall make an application in person, not later than on the last day of legal stay within the territory of the Republic of Poland to the voivode competent for the place of residence of the foreigner.
When making the application the foreigner shall be obliged to provide fingerprints.

Fees related to granting the permit

Temporary residence and work permit for an employee:

Stamp duty PLN 440

Fee for issuing a residence card PLN 50

Temporary residence and work permit for a foreigner being board member in a limited liability company or a joint stock company, which shares or stocks are not owned by the foreigner PLN 340

Fee for issuing a residence card PLN 50

If the application for granting temporary residence permit was made during legal stay of the foreigner and the application was free of any formal defects or the formal defects have been corrected within the deadline, voivode shall include the travel document of the foreigner with a stamp imprint, confirming making the application. The foreigners stay is deemed legal from the day of submitting the application until the day when the decision in the case of granting temporary residence permit would become final.

Note: Including an imprint of a stamp in the foreigner's travel document does not entitle the foreigner to travel within the territory of other Schengen States, but the foreigner may leave for the country of origin, however, in order to return to Poland it is necessary to obtain a visa if that person originates from a country subject to the visa obligation..

Case settlement period

Issuance of the decision on granting the permit shall occur not earlier than after 1 month from the day of initiation of the proceedings.

Document issued after obtaining the permit

The foreigner who has obtained the temporary residence permit within the territory of Poland is issued with a residence card. The document is issued ex-officio by the voivode who has granted this permit to the foreigner.

In its validity period the residence card confirms the identity of the foreigner during that persons stay within the territory of the Republic of Poland and, together with the travel document, provides the right for multiple crossing the border without the need to obtain a visa.

Information obligations

The foreigner residing in Poland on the basis of the temporary residence and work permit shall be obligated to provide a written notification to a voivode, who granted the permit, within 15 working days, on losing a work position at any of the entities listed in the permit, entrusting performance of work (employers). If the temporary residence and work permit was granted by the Head of the Office in the second instance, the aforementioned notification shall be addressed to the voivode, who made the decision in the case of granting the permit in the first instance.

Adhering to the aforementioned obligations results in the residence and work permit not being withdrawn within 30 days running from the day of losing the work position. Such a situation may occur not more than once within the validity period of the permit.

The right for performance of work

This permit shall entitle to perform work on the conditions as stipulated in the permit or on the conditions resulting from the provision the permit is based on. The foreigner does not have to hold additional document entitling to perform work in the form of work permit. The residence card issued in relation with granting the foreigner the temporary residence permit shall be annotated with "access to labour market".

Note: If the decision issued for the foreigner stipulates conditions of work performance:

– change of the entity entrusting work performance (employer) indicated on the permit shall require obtaining new temporary residence and work permit;

– performance of work at a different user employer (in the case of seasonal work) or on the conditions different than those stipulated on the permit (i.e. different position, with lower remuneration, in the case of change in a working day or the type of contract constituting the basis for work performance) shall require changing the granted temporary residence and work permit.

Change of the seat or place of residence, name or legal form of the entity entrusting work performance to the foreigner or the employer or part thereof being overtaken by another employer, or the work place or part thereof being transferred to another employer, or replacing a civil and law agreement by an employment contract shall not require changing or issuance of a new temporary residence and work permit.

The application for changing the temporary residence and work permit the foreigner should attach with the aforementioned information, save for when this requirement shall not apply.

Validity period of the changed permit may not exceed 3 years from the day of issuance of the permit, which has been changed. In such a situation the foreigner shall have the possibility to apply for a new temporary residence and work permit.

The foreigner may perform additional work for a different entity entrusting work performance on the basis of a separate work permit – in this case work permit for the foreigner shall be obtained by the entity entrusting work performance.

The obligation to leave Poland upon refusal, discontinuation or revocation of the permit

The foreigner is obliged to leave the territory of the Republic of Poland within 30 days following the day, when the decision on refusal to grant the temporary residence permit, the decision on discontinuing the aforementioned case or the decision on revocation of the permit has become final, in the case of issuing the decision by the higher degree authority, following the day of servicing the decision to the foreigner, unless that person is entitled to stay within the territory of Poland on another basis.




Other questions

If you have more questions about Registration of residence our lawyers will glad to help with your situation.

To recieve more information about Registration of residence you can call us by telephone and order a personal legal opinion. +48 (58) 731 3333 For the best cummunication expiriance we are working without holidays, also you can contact us by Telegram/Viber/WhatsApp - +48 792 018 929

How to get our sirvices?
In first we have to sign the contract between you and us.

For this action we need from you following list of documents:
1. Send to us picture or skan of your valid passport or personal details.
2. Send to us your adress in Poland.

After this we will send you draft and you need:
1. Read the contract which we sent you.
2. Come to our office or send us the contract with you signature by e-mail or messenger.

If you have more question don't hecitate to contact us by +48 (58) 731 3333 or Telegram/Viber/WhatsApp +48 792 018 929