Residence card — temporary residence permit

Who it is for

For non-EU citizens who want to stay in Poland for more than 3 months for a specific purpose, for example:

• work (single permit for residence and work),
• highly qualified work (EU Blue Card),
• studies,
• running a business,
• family reunification or marriage to a Polish citizen.

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not need this permit — after 3 months they register their stay.

Where and how to apply

You apply to the voivode (regional governor) for the place where you live (in Poznań: Greater Poland Voivodeship Office, Foreigners Department). The application is filled in electronically in the MOS system (Case Handling Module), and then you must appear in person at the office, among other things to give fingerprints.

When to apply

At the latest on the last day of your legal stay in Poland (for example before your visa expires). If you apply on time and without formal errors, your stay in Poland is, as a rule, legal until the decision. Note: the application alone does not give you the right to travel to other Schengen countries.

Documents usually needed

• a valid passport,
• a recent photo,
• documents confirming the purpose of your stay (e.g. information from your employer, a contract, a certificate from your university),
• health insurance,
• proof of accommodation and means of support (depending on the purpose),
• proof of payment of the stamp duty.

The exact list depends on the purpose of your stay — the office may ask for additional documents.

How long it takes and what it costs

The law sets deadlines for handling cases, but in practice procedures in big cities often take many months. You pay a stamp duty for the permit and a fee for issuing the residence card — check the current amounts on the voivodeship office website.

Refusal — what next

You can appeal a negative decision to the Head of the Office for Foreigners within 14 days of receiving the decision, through the voivode. In this situation it is worth getting help from a lawyer.