Get a free consultation — simply leave your contact details, and our expert will contact you within 24 hours! We will answer all your questions about residence card processing and guide you through all stages to make the process as simple and clear as possible for you.
Residence card
(karta pobytu)
obtaining a residence permit in Poland is easier than you think
Residence card — what is it?
A Residence card is a document identifying a foreigner, granting them a residence permit in Poland and permission for legal stay in the country for more than 90 days.
Simply put, it is a residence permit that allows crossing Poland’s borders without additional visas and staying in its territory for the period specified on the card.
We process Residence cards based on an Employment contract.
Types of Residence cards
Temporary Residence card (Karta czasowego pobytu)
— this is a document allowing foreigners to temporarily reside in Poland for a period of 3 months to 3 years. The basis for its issuance can be various circumstances, such as employment, conducting business, education, or family reunification.
Long-term Residence card (Karta stałego pobytu)
— this is the right to permanent residence, granted for an indefinite period. However, the Polish Residence card itself needs to be renewed every 10 years. This status can be obtained, for example, on the basis of a Pole’s Card, Polish ancestry, or marriage to a Polish citizen.
EU long-term resident card (Karta rezydenta długoterminowego UE)
grants foreigners the opportunity to settle in Poland permanently, even if they do not have Polish ancestry. To obtain it, one must have legally resided in the country for at least five consecutive years and demonstrate stable income for the past three years. This document opens doors to a comfortable life in Europe, offering security for the future.
EU Blue Card (Niebieska karta UE)
— is a unique permit for highly skilled professionals, opening up opportunities to work and live in Poland. It can be obtained by specialists with five years of work experience or university graduates if their earnings are at least 150% of the national average salary. Changing employers requires prior notification to the provincial governor, which emphasises the importance and seriousness of this status.
If you wish to learn how to obtain a Residence card and avoid all possible complications, we are ready to provide you with detailed information and support at every stage of the process.
Grounds for obtaining a Residence card
The Temporary Residence card (karta czasowego pobytu) opens up many opportunities for foreigners to temporarily reside in Poland. Here are the main reasons for obtaining it:
- official employment in Polish companies;
- education in the country’s educational institutions, be it universities or specialized schools;
- developing one’s own business in Polish territory;
- citizenship of one of the European Union countries;
- family reunification with a close relative who already holds a Residence card;
- marriage to a Polish citizen, which also allows starting a joint life in the country.
- the income level must be at least PLN 8,500 per month;
- the applicant must have a higher education diploma or at least five years of professional experience in their field;
- the Employment contract must be concluded for a period of one year or more.
Karta stałego pobytu is a document that grants the right to permanent residence in Poland. It can be obtained in the following cases:
- if you are a holder of the Pole’s Card, confirming your connection to Polish culture;
- if you have Polish ancestry that connects you to the history and traditions of this country;
- if you have children who are Polish citizens, which creates an additional basis for permanent residence
The long-term EU resident permit is an opportunity to obtain stable status in Poland. To apply for it, a number of conditions must be met:
- legal and continuous residence in the country for the last five years;
- proof of stable income ensuring financial independence;
- possession of valid medical insurance confirming your social security;
- documents confirming your level of Polish language proficiency, which emphasizes your integration into society.
Advantages of working with us
Forget about document complexities for Residence card applications and fears of rejection!
We will handle the entire application process:
collection of documents for the Residence card: we will help prepare a complete package of papers without unnecessary hassle;
application submission: professional assistance at every stage of submission;
card collection: we will be there until you receive the coveted document.
We offer several service options so that everyone can choose a solution that matches their financial capabilities. Trust our experience, and legal life and work in Poland will become a reality for you!
Our Services
Basic Support
1. Initial consultation
2. Verification of existing documents
3. Preparation of a checklist of required documents
4. Creation of a personal account on government resources for departments dealing with foreigners
5. Filling out the Residence card application
6. Booking an appointment for submission
Standard Package
Services from the Basic Package + Standard Package Services +
1. Reserving a queue OR sending documents by mail
2. Support for filing and on the day of obtaining a residence permit
3. Consultations throughout the entire process
Premium Package
Services from the Standard Package +
1. Full case control
2. Submission of updated documents
3. Free appeal in case of refusal
Basic Support
1. Initial consultation
2. Verification of existing documents
3. Preparation of a checklist of required documents
4. Creation of a personal account on government resources for departments dealing with foreigners
5. Filling out the Residence card application
6. Booking an appointment for submission
Standard Package
Services from the Basic Package + Services
Standard Package +
1. Booking an appointment OR sending documents by mail
2. Support during submission and on the day of receiving the residence permit
3. Consultations throughout the entire process
Standard Package +
1. Booking an appointment OR sending documents by mail
2. Support during submission and on the day of receiving the residence permit
3. Consultations throughout the entire process
Premium Package
Services from the Standard Package +
1. Full case control
2. Submission of updated documents
3. Free appeal in case of refusal
Basic Support
1. Initial consultation
2. Verification of existing documents
3. Preparation of a checklist of required documents
4. Creation of a personal account on government resources for departments dealing with foreigners
5. Filling out the Residence card application
6. Booking an appointment for submission
Standard Package
Services from the Basic Package + Services
Standard Package +
1. Booking an appointment OR sending documents by mail
2. Support during submission and on the day of receiving the residence permit
3. Consultations throughout the entire process
Standard Package +
1. Booking an appointment OR sending documents by mail
2. Support during submission and on the day of receiving the residence permit
3. Consultations throughout the entire process
Premium Package
Services from the Standard Package +
1. Full case control
2. Submission of updated documents
3. Free appeal in case of refusal
What advantages does a
work Residence card offer
A work Residence card opens up many opportunities for its holder:
1
freedom of residence in Poland without additional permits;
2
unrestricted crossing of the Polish border at any time;
3
ability to travel within Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within each half-year period;
4
legal access to the Polish labor market and employment;
5
right to acquire real estate and register vehicles;
6
opportunity to develop one’s own business within the country;
7
simplified visa processing for travel to non-EU countries, such as the USA or Great Britain.
What does a residence card do? It allows foreign citizens to legally reside in Poland and access a range of rights and social services. Holders of a residence card in Poland enjoy a unique advantage: the ability to easily obtain work permits for other European countries. With a Van der Elst visa and an A1 certificate, they can work in countries such as Germany, Austria, France, Belgium and the Netherlands without unnecessary bureaucracy and with minimal effort. This opens up broad horizons for professionals who want to expand their opportunities in Europe.
What documents are required for a Temporary Residence card
To obtain a Residence card, you will need to collect a number of documents. Here’s what will be required:
- Completed application form — three copies of the application form in Polish, printed in block letters, must be provided. Two copies go to government institutions, and one remains with you, confirming payment of the fee. You can download the application form or get a free copy at the Wydział do Spraw Cudzoziemców (Department for Foreigners).
- Four photographs measuring 3.5×4.5 cm, taken no earlier than six months before the application submission.
- Original foreign passport and two copies of all pages. Copies can be made on-site.
- Receipt of payment for the Residence card — it can be paid at the cash desk located in the same building.
- Medical insurance valid for the entire period of stay in Poland.
- Document confirming the grounds for obtaining a Residence card. This could be an enrollment statement for students, a spouse’s Residence card for those reuniting with family, an Employment contract for employees, and other documents, depending on the grounds.
- Fingerprints — they are taken on-site for biometrics.
- Proof of income or sufficient funds for living in Poland. This could be a bank statement showing a minimum of PLN 700 per month, as well as funds for accommodation, tuition (if the card is issued based on studies), and a return ticket.
Depending on the city, the application process for a Residence card may vary slightly, so be prepared to provide additional documents:
- Original birth certificate with an official translation into Polish — this will be required if you are applying for permanent residence based on ancestry.
- Documents confirming the right to housing — whether it’s a property ownership certificate or a rental agreement (umowa najmu). If you are a student residing in a dormitory, a certificate from the dormitory administration will be required.
- Copies of utility bills, internet, and other regular expenses confirming your residence in Poland.
- Permanent registration (zameldowanie), if applicable.
Application process for a Residence card
(residence permit)
1
Prepare all necessary documents
The list of documents for obtaining a Residence card depends on its type. It is important to remember that each Voivodeship office may have its own requirements for the set of documents. We recommend familiarizing yourself in advance with the current list on your Voivodeship’s website in the section for foreign citizens. All necessary links to Voivodeship offices can be found on the official Polish portal Gov.pl in the section “Urząd wojewódzki” — here you can easily find information for each region.
2
Fill out the application form
The application form can be downloaded electronically from the relevant Voivodeship’s website or picked up in paper format at the office. It is important to fill out the application in clear block letters in Polish. The number of copies may vary depending on the requirements of your Voivodeship office.
3
Schedule an appointment at the office
You can schedule an appointment through the official website or by calling. It is important that the appointment date is no later than the expiration date of your current document, whether it is a visa or a previous Residence card.
4
Make payment for the application review and Residence card production
The cost of a Residence card depends on its type. Here are the approximate amounts:
- temporary residence card — PLN 440;
- long-term residence card — PLN 640;
- EU resident card — PLN 640;
- Blue Card — PLN 440.
If your application is approved, you will need to pay an additional PLN 100 for the production of the plastic document. Be sure to attach the payment receipt to your document package to ensure the process proceeds without delays.
5
Submit documents and undergo fingerprinting procedure
Once your application is ready, proceed to the Municipal office (Urząd) with the originals and copies of all documents, the fee payment receipt, and your passport (or other identification document). On-site, you will also need to undergo the fingerprinting procedure. The inspector will check all papers and place a stamp in your passport, which will serve as confirmation of application submission. This will mark the start of the waiting period for a decision.
In some cases, for example, if you send documents by mail, you may need to appear later for fingerprinting after receiving an invitation from the Municipal office (Urząd). It is worth remembering that the process may differ slightly in various Voivodeships.
Expedited application review
If you require expedited processing of a work Residence card, you may submit a complaint letter to your inspector in accordance with the established procedure. We offer this service to our clients, continuously monitoring deadlines and ensuring prompt resolution of issues.
For how long is a Residence card issued?
The validity period of a Residence card depends on its type:
- temporary Residence card (czasowego) is issued for up to 3 years;
- permanent residence card (stałego) is granted for 10 years.
If your card has expired, remember that you will need to submit a new set of documents to renew it. Even if your situation has not changed and you are still working or studying in the same place as when you first applied, your card will not be automatically renewed.
Refusal of issuance
According to Article 100 of the “On Foreigners” Act, in some cases, your application for a Polish residence permit may be rejected. This can happen for the following reasons:
- if false or inaccurate data is submitted, or if forged documents are presented;
- if visa regulations are violated or obligations related to expulsion are not fulfilled, including compensation for return to the home country;
- if the application is submitted during a period when the stay in Poland was illegal;
- if the applicant has outstanding criminal convictions or debt obligations;
- if there are suspicions that the applicant is involved in criminal activities or actions threatening the security of the state and its citizens.
Appeal against refusal to issue a Residence card
If you are confident that your application was unfairly rejected, or if a minor error or misunderstanding led to the absence of any document, you have the option to file an appeal. You will have 14 days from the date of receiving the refusal to do so. The appeal will be reviewed within 30 days.
If you do not have other legal grounds for staying in Poland, you will have to leave the country.
How to check the status of your Residence card
We have reviewed all the methods available to us for checking the status of a residence card, but please note that they may vary depending on the region. One of the most convenient methods is online verification, but unfortunately, not all provinces offer this option. Some of the methods we have presented have been tested in practice.
Nevertheless, there is a standard procedure that works in most regions, although website design and the inquiry process may vary significantly. The main steps are as follows:
1
Go to the official website.
2
Select a search method: using a case number or without one.
- If you know the number, you will immediately receive the necessary status information.
- If the number is unknown, you will need to provide additional information, conduct a search, and select the appropriate case to obtain the information. If you are unable to find the number, please contact the registry office, and we will explain how to proceed in such a case. Please note that not all registry offices provide online verification services, so in some situations, you may be offered alternative ways to obtain the necessary information.
How to collect your ready residence card
Several weeks after you receive the letter with a positive decision, the time will come to collect your card.
The notification from the voivode may specify the exact date and time when you need to appear at the Municipal office (Urząd). It is important not to miss this date and visit the institution at the specified time. If for some reason this is not possible, you will need to arrange a new visit with the Municipal office (Urząd) using the suggested contact methods.
Often the notification does not specify a particular date, but provides a certain timeframe within which you must appear (for example, by a specified date). In such cases, it is important to clarify whether advance appointment is required and how it is arranged. When making an appointment, if it is mandatory, carefully review the reception conditions — sometimes the document submission process and card collection may be separated by time during the working day.
What documents are needed to collect the residence card
If you are a foreigner coming to collect your card, you will need to confirm your identity. Usually the same foreign passport that was used when submitting documents is used for this purpose. However, difficulties may arise if you managed to replace your passport during the case review period. In such cases, it is important to notify the Municipal office (Urząd) as soon as possible so that updated information about your new passport is taken into account in the case. It is best if the case decision is made taking into account the new passport — this will avoid possible problems in the future.
In addition to the passport, other documents may be required depending on the situation. For example, if you are acting as a guardian, you need to provide confirmation of guardianship over a minor, whether it be a birth certificate or an official guardianship decision. If you are representing someone’s interests, you will need a power of attorney confirming this right. It should also be noted that in some cases, if the Municipal office (Urząd) requires it, you will need to present a payment order for card production, especially if it has not yet been provided electronically.
Why choose us?
- Experience and professionalism. Our team consists of experts who have deep knowledge and many years of experience in residence card processing matters.
- Success guarantee. We are confident in the result and will make every effort to ensure you receive your residence card. If difficulties arise, we will provide free appeal (within the Premium package).
- Time and stress savings. We handle all the nuances and paperwork, freeing you from routine so you can focus on what matters.
- Personalized attention to each client. We understand that each case is special and offer solutions that best match your specific requirements.
- Transparency and trust. You will always be informed about the current status of your case and its progress.
Get free consultation
Was this information helpful?
Download this cheat sheet and get detailed instructions on how to become an international driver in Europe!
