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Temporary Residence Permit in Poland – Legal Support for Foreigners
Temporary residence permit services with SIIAMI
A temporary residence permit in Poland allows foreigners to stay legally in Poland for a specified period based on the purpose of their stay, such as employment, business activity, education, or family reunification. To apply, you must have a valid legal basis for your stay, submit the required documents, and apply before the end of your legal stay in Poland.
SIIAMI Law and Accounting provides comprehensive support with temporary residence permit applications in Poland. Our team assists you throughout the entire process, from selecting the appropriate legal basis and preparing your documents to submitting the application and monitoring your case until a decision is issued.
On what basis can you obtain a temporary residence permit in Poland
The legal basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit depends on the purpose of your stay in Poland. The most common options include employment, running a business, education, and family reunification.
Work
One of the most common ways of obtaining a residence permit is to get an employment contract with a Polish company and apply for a combined residence and work permit. However, the permit is issued with a connection to the employer, if you change jobs, you must promptly notify the Voivodeship Office and submit a new employment contract. Additionally, if you plan to work in a regulated profession, specific qualifications must be documented. Highly qualified professionals may also obtain an EU Blue Card, which provides an extended residence permit that entitles you to work in specialized roles with greater mobility options.
Running a business
Foreigners who have a business in Poland in the form of a sole proprietorship or a company can obtain a temporary residence card on the basis of their business activities. The applicant must prove that the business brings value to the Polish economy: it is profitable or creates jobs.
Education
Foreign students entering to study in Poland have the right to obtain a residence permit for the period of study. To do this, you need to submit a certificate from the university and prove the availability of income. Also, eligible for a student residence permit is entry to a policealna szkoła – an educational institution where adults can receive free education in one of the popular professions on the labour market in Poland.
For family units
Foreign nationals can apply for a temporary residence permit if their close family member is legally living in Poland. The condition for obtaining the permit is documentary proof of family ties and availability of livelihood.
Differences in Legalization Procedures for Citizens EU or non-EU citizen
The residence procedure in Poland depend on whether you are an EU or non-EU citizen.
| EU citizens | Non-EU citizens | |
|---|---|---|
| What do you need to do | Register your residence as an EU citizen | Apply for a temporary residence permit |
| What type of document do you receive | A Certificate of Registration of Residence of an EU Citizen | A Residence Card (Karta Pobytu) |
| Where to apply | Your local Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) | Your local Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) |
| Do you need a work permit | EU citizens can work without a work permit | A work permit or a residence and work permit may be required |
| Do you pay a fee | No fee | Fees apply, the cost depends of the type of permit |
Step-by-step process for obtaining a temporary residence permit
Obtaining a temporary residence permit in Poland involves several key stages:
Confirm that your residence permit for the purpose chosen (e.g., employment, business, education) grants the right to work or reside lawfully.
Gather all proofs confirming your status, such as an employment contract or a marriage certificate. Ensure each original is available for inspection.
You can submit your application and documents online only through the MOS system.
After applying online, you will need to wait for a summons to give your fingerprints. Once you receive the notification, you must book an appointment at the Urząd (Office) and arrive at the scheduled time. At the office, you will be required to submit all original documents and provide your fingerprints.
You have to wait for the decision on granting a residence card. During this time, the police may visit your registered adress to verify that you really live in Poland. If necessary, the inspector who is in control of your case will request additional documents – you will need to submit them promptly to the Department for Foreigners.
If the decision is positive, you will receive your residence permit and after some time you will be able to pick up your residence card.
What documents are required for a temporary residence permit?
1. Application form The application is submitted online via the MOS system. To apply, you need to create a personal account in the system and fill out the form.
2. Valid foreign passport or travel document You must attach a copy of all pages of your passport or travel document in PDF format.
3. Photos You also need to attach digital photos to the application. Please note that they must be the correct size, otherwise the system will not accept them.
4. Proof of stamp duty payment The temporary residence permit application fee depends on the grounds for applying and usually ranges from 340 to 440 PLN. A scanned copy of the payment confirmation must be attached to the application.
5. Other documents The list of additional documents depends on your specific grounds for obt
Why apply for a residence permit with SIIAMI?
The process of applying for a temporary residence and work permit can be challenging and time-consuming due to extensive documentation and various formal requirements. That is why having a professional support throughout the entire process can make a real difference.
We have received more than 1,600 positive decisions
Our effectiveness is confirmed by the figures, we have received more than 1600 positive decisios for our clients. This proves that our assistance brings real results and significantly increases your chances of successfully obtaining a residence card (Karta pobytu).
We track the progress of your case
Each client is assigned a professional who monitors the status of your application and is available for consultation. This ensures that every step of the process is monitored and you receive up-to-date information on the progress of your application and support if you have any questions.
We offer a legalization subscription
Our clients have a unique opportunity not to pay the full legalization fee upfront. You only pay while your case is being processed.
How we can help you with your temporary residence permit application
We offer flexible cooperation models tailored to your needs, ranging from single expert consultations to full legal representation.
Monthly subscription for full support with your legalization case
The service includes:
- Individual consultation on the legalization of stay (analysis of the situation, selection of options, explanation of the procedures) (1 hour).
- Professional completion of the necessary applications (wnioski).
- Verification and correction of the complete set of documents before submission (based on the selected legal basis and the documents provided by you).
- Control over the progress of the case until the decision is received (performing the function of your representative by power of attorney).
- Communication with the relevant immigration office (Urząd) in the event of additional appointments or requests.
Ongoing legal consultations throughout the entire legalization process.
Family (group) discounts available.
*the minimum subscription period is 3 months
One-time consultation with a specialist
During the consultation, our legalization specialist will answer your questions regard obtaining a temporary residence permit, individually analyze your case and and review your documents to ensure they have been prepared correctly
The service includes:
- A one-hour consultation with a specialist
Important information :
If you purchase a consultation and later decide to use our full-service package, either online or in person, the cost of the consultation will be deducted from the price of the selected package.
400 zł netto/1 hour
If none of our service packages meet your needs, contact us and we’ll tailor the right solution to your individual situation.
Our reviews
Our clients come from all around the world. If you’re still considering whether to work with us, read what our clients have to say about their experience.
Every request receives a clear, understandable answer, often with a video guide.
Payments, receipts, and other documents are double-checked, making it difficult to make mistakes.
All rights reserved. Szczególnie cenię dostępność zespołu oraz gotowość do udzielania praktycznych porad i znajdowania skutecznych rozwiązań nawet w bardziej złożonych sytuacjach.
Szczególne podziękowania kieruję do:
* Olgi Silivonczik - za profesjonalne podejście, zaangażowanie i odpowiedzialność;
* Julii Kovickiej (kadry) - za sprawną i terminową obsługę spraw kadrowych;
* właścicielki firmy, Anastazji Jeremicz - za wysoki poziom organizacji, indywidualne podejście do klienta oraz stworzenie silnego i profesjonalnego zespołu.
SIIAMI to godny zaufania partner dla firm, które oczekują wysokiej jakości obsługi księgowej, kadrowej i prawnej w Polsce.
Z pełnym przekonaniem rekomenduję tę firmę jako kompetentnego i profesjonalnego partnera biznesowego. (B-Stars Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, Poland) **************************************************************************************************** I would like to express my sincere gratitude to SIIAMI (Gdańsk), head of the Prawno-Rachunkowa branch, for their high level of professionalism, reliability, and high-quality business support.
Cooperation with the company has left an exceptionally positive impression – all issues are resolved promptly, competently, and with attention to detail. It is especially important that the team is always available for consultations and helps find practical solutions even in difficult situations.
Special thanks to:
* Olga Silivonchik – for her professional approach, attentiveness, and responsible handling of issues;
* Yulia Kovitskaya (HR) – for her clear and timely work on HR issues;
* Company Director Anastasia Eremich – for her high level of organization, customer focus, and building a strong professional team. SIIAMI is a reliable partner for companies seeking high-quality accounting, HR, and legal support in Poland.
I confidently recommend this firm as a competent and professional partner. _______ B-Stars Sp. z o.o. (Warsaw, Poland) _______
In February 2025, I ended my cooperation with them and closed my business activity. However, I needed to reopen it in December and decided not to return to SIIAMI. I wanted to explore other accounting firms or even switch to an automated system, where my historical data from the previous period was already stored.
Here is what’s important to understand if you consider working with them: if you ever want access to the data stored in the accounting system they use, you will not receive it. Your entire history will simply be emailed to you as a collection of PDF files. Nothing more.
On top of that, I currently cannot access my own account within the accounting software, even though it is tied to my email. I receive a message stating that my account is controlled by another person (a SIIAMI accountant). When I contacted them about this, they told me to reach out to the software provider myself, as they claim it is not their responsibility.
Overall, this is the most customer-unfriendly business I have personally dealt with, and I cannot say anything positive about my experience with them.
They not only corrected my yearly declaration but also took the time to explain in detail why the mistake happened and how I should proceed in the future. This gave me full clarity and confidence in the process.
Thanks to their expertise and careful approach, I now feel reassured and can finally sleep peacefully, knowing everything is in order. I am deeply thankful to have found such reliable and skilled professionals.
I would like to separately highlight my personal manager Inna. She is an excellent professional, always in touch and ready to help. Thank you very much for your support and answers to all my questions.
The difference between temporary and permanent residence permits and the EU residence card
Temporary and permanent residence permits in Poland provide different rights and are issued under different conditions. The EU long-term resident permit also has its own specific requirements and benefits. The table below explains the main differences between these types of residence permits, including their basis for issuance, validity period, rights, and possibilities for renewal.
| Temporary residence card and Blue card | Permanent residence card | EU residence card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis for issuing | Issued for a specific purpose (for work, study, business or family unity). Each permit requires certain conditions to be met. For example: an employment contract. | It can be obtained if the foreigner has Polish roots, has been married to a Polish citizen for at least three years and has been legally residing in the country for a certain period, or has international or additional protection or a Polish card. | You need to have 5 years of full-time residence in Poland, be out of the country for no more than 10 months in total and no more than 6 months at a time, have three years of continuous income in Poland and know Polish (at least B1). |
| Rights and opportunities | A residence permit on some bases gives limited rights: additional work permits are required, there is no possibility to register a sole proprietorship, etc. | It is possible to choose an employer without limits, register a sole proprietorship and after a few years apply for citizenship | Free access to the labour market, opportunities to open a sole proprietorship, after three years you can apply for Polish citizenship. |
| How to prolong the card | Upon expiry of the permit, it is necessary to submit a new package of documents and go through the procedure of obtaining a residence permit again. | Valid indefinitely, but you will have to renew the plastic card every 10 years. | It is issued indefinitely, but the card itself must be renewed every five years. |
| Validity period | The permit is issued for a minimum of three months and a maximum of three years. | You can stay in Poland for an unlimited period of time. | It is possible to live in Poland for an unlimited period of time. |
Frequently asked questions
Find answers to the most common questions about temporary residence permits in Poland. If you cannot find the information you are looking for, contact our team for individual assistance with your residence permit application.
What is a residence permit for foreigners in Poland?
It is a document that confirms the identity and gives the right to stay legally in Poland for a long period of time. On the basis of the foreigner’s application and the submitted documents, the voivode issues a decision, after which a plastic card is issued.
How to apply for a residence card in Poland?
If you stay in Poland for more than 3 months, you need to obtain a residence card.
A temporary residence permit in Poland can only be issued (or extended) within the country – this is handled by the foreigners’ departments in each of the voivodships.
We have prepared a simple algorithm on how to apply for a residence permit in Poland and obtain a residence card:
- Determine the basis that entitles you to obtain a residence permit.
- Prepare a package of documents confirming your purpose of obtaining a residence permit.
- Fill out the application online via MOS 2 and send it.
- When submitting documents in person, you will have to submit biometric data – fingerprints. They will be placed on a plastic card.
- You will then have to wait for a decision. During this time, the police may visit your place of residence to make sure that you really live in Poland.
- If necessary, the inspector who is in charge of your case will request additional documents – they will have to be promptly submitted to the Department for Foreigners.
- If the decision to issue a residence permit is positive, you will be informed when you can come to the authorities to collect your residence permit.
What gives a residence permit in Poland?
If a foreigner has a residence permit, he or she can:
- legally reside on the territory of Poland
- move freely within the EU countries, as well as Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein (but without employment and for a period not exceeding 90 days per six months)
After five years of residence under a temporary residence permit, foreign nationals can already apply for the status of long-term resident of the EU (permanent residence permit) and subsequently for citizenship of the Republic of Poland.
How Fast Is It Possible to Obtain a Residence Permit?
The processing time for a temporary residence permit depends on the voivodeship, the legal basis for the application, the workload of the immigration office, and whether all required documents have been submitted correctly. In some voivodeships, the waiting time may be around 6-15 months, while in others it can take more than a year. Some voivodeship offices also allow applicants to monitor the progress of their case online.
To avoid unnecessary delays, it is important to submit a complete application and respond promptly to any requests for additional documents or information. The application should be submitted no later than on the last day of legal residence in Poland. If your visa or other legal basis for stay expires while your application is being processed, your stay in Poland may remain legal if the application was submitted correctly and on time.
Can I get a negative decision on granting a residence permit?
Yes. Common reasons for refusal include:
Submitting incomplete documents or failing to respond to inspector requests.
Refusal to submit biometric data (fingerprints).
Applying while staying in Poland illegally.
Providing false information or forged documents.
Tax arrears or failure to prove stable income.
Security risks identified by state authorities.
If you receive a negative decision, you have 14 days to appeal to the Head of the Office for Foreigners (Szef Urzędu ds. Cudzoziemców). Our legal team can help prepare a professional appeal.
Can I travel outside of Poland while my application is pending?
You can travel outside of Poland during processing, but re-entry requires a valid visa or remaining visa-free days. The official stamp in your passport confirms legal stay in Poland but does not serve as an entry visa.
How can SIIAMI help you?
We help our clients through all the steps of applying for a residence permit:
- We provide detailed advice on how to apply for a residence permit in Poland.
- We choose the best application strategy (‘basis’) so that you get a residence permit for the longest possible period of time.
- We advise on non-obvious points (e.g. how to make a residence card without specifying your address).
- A lawyer checks the package of documents before submitting it to the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki).
- During the obligatory visits for fingerprinting and card issuance you are accompanied by a company employee (in Gdansk, Warsaw and Krakow, in all other cities – online accompaniment).
Thus, you only need to submit the necessary initial documents and visit the Voivodeship Office in person 2-3 times. SIIAMI’s experienced lawyers will take care of the rest of the process for you.