Visa and Work in the EU 2026: Migration Requirements and Driver Job Placement for Drivers from Former CIS Countries

Driver job placement for drivers from former CIS countries in Poland begins with obtaining a legal basis: for Ukrainians, this is UKR temporary protection status and a simple employer notification; for citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Armenia, and Moldova — an Oświadczenie declaration; and for drivers from Central Asia — Zezwolenie na pracę (type A). Based on these documents, a work visa for drivers to Poland (category D) is issued. Upon arrival, the driver must undergo a medical examination, psychological tests, complete the Code 95 course, and await the issuance of the “Driver’s Certificate” (Świadectwo Kierowcy) from the employer — without this “red paper,” performing international routes within the EU is illegal for non-EU citizens.

Legalization — The Foundation of Your Tenure

The European logistics market in 2026–2027 continues to experience a severe shortage of personnel. Polish transport companies are actively recruiting specialists from abroad. However, the rules of the game have become stricter. Transport inspectorates (German BALM, Polish ITD, French DREAL) on the roads check not only working and rest hours via the tachograph but also the legality of a foreigner’s stay and work.

Fines for illegal driver job placement for drivers from former CIS countries are enormous: the employer risks their license and thousands of euros, while the driver faces deportation and a ban on entering the Schengen Area for up to 5 years.

In this article, we will thoroughly analyze the current registration procedure, what documents are needed at each stage, and how to avoid critical mistakes at the start.

Stage 1. Work Permit for Drivers: Rules Depend on Passport

Polish migration law divides foreign candidates into several categories. The time it takes for your job placement directly depends on your citizenship.

Citizens of Ukraine (Special Law / Simplified Access)

Thanks to the law on assistance to citizens of Ukraine, the procedure is maximally simplified.

Document: No work permit required.
How it works: The employer signs a contract with you (Umowa o pracę or Umowa zlecenie) and simply notifies the Labor Office (PUP) via the praca.gov.pl system within 14 days.
Condition: You must be legally present in Poland (UKR temporary protection status, valid visa, or biometrics).

Citizens of Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Armenia (Oświadczenie)

A simplified procedure for entrusting work applies to this group.

Document: Oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi.
How it works: The employer submits an application to the local Municipal office (Urząd) Pracy. The processing time usually ranges from 7 to 14 days. The official fee for issuing the document is 400 PLN (paid by the employer).
Validity: Issued for up to 12 months. This is an excellent start to come, work for a year, and apply for a temporary residence permit.

Citizens of Central Asian Countries and Other States (Zezwolenie Typ A)

Drivers from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Azerbaijan undergo a standard, longer procedure.

Document: Zezwolenie na pracę typ A (Voivodeship permit).
How it works: The document is processed through the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki). The employer must prove that they could not find a Pole for this position (conduct a so-called “labor market test,” although exceptions are often made for international drivers).
Timelines: This is the longest stage. Waiting for Zezwolenie can take from 1 to 3 months, and in busy voivodeships (e.g., Mazowieckie) — even longer. The application also costs 400 PLN, but the main price here is time.

Stage 2. Driver Work Visa to Poland (Category D)

Upon receiving the original Oświadczenie or Zezwolenie na pracę, you can submit documents to the Polish consulate or visa center (VFS Global/VisaMetric) in your country.

What you need to know about Visa D:

Issued for 365 days (depends on the validity period of your work permit).
Allows legal stay in Poland and free movement within Schengen countries (no more than 90 days per half-year).
Important clarification: A D visa gives you the right to stay in Europe and work for a Polish company. It does not give you the right to work, for example, for a German company.

Practical advice: When applying for a visa, carefully check the employer’s details in the application form. Any typo in the company’s NIP (tax identification number) will lead to rejection.

Stage 3. Arrival in Poland: Professional Legalization

Many people think that with a visa and a contract, they can immediately get behind the wheel of a truck. This is the main mistake. Driver job placement for drivers from former CIS countries requires the processing of specific transport documents.

Here is the algorithm of your actions upon arrival in Poland:

Medical examination and psychological tests (Badania lekarskie i psychologiczne). Without them, it is impossible to start training or work. Poland has strict psychological tests: they check reaction speed, night vision, and stress resistance. The cost of the complex is usually around 350–400 PLN.
Driver profile registration (PKZ). Profil Kierowcy Zawodowego is your digital footprint in the communication department (Wydział Komunikacji). Without a PKZ number, the driving school cannot enroll you in the Code 95 course.
Code 95 Training (Świadectwo Kwalifikacji Zawodowej).
- Periodic training (35 hours): If category C was opened before 09.09.2009. No exam is needed.
- Initial qualification (Kwalifikacja Wstępna, 280 or 140 hours): If category C was opened after this date. Concludes with a state exam at the WORD center.
Driver’s license exchange. By law, foreigners are required to exchange their national licenses for Polish ones after 185 days of stay. Your European Code 95 will be entered on the license. The fee for the plastic card is 100.50 PLN.

At the driving school “Code 95 u Marka”, we understand how complex this bureaucracy seems to a newcomer. Therefore, we take on the support of our students: we help them quickly pass medical examinations, correctly fill out wnioski (applications) for obtaining PKZ, and prepare them for the exam so that they pass it without stress.

Stage 4. Driver's Certificate (Świadectwo Kierowcy) — The Main Document for International Drivers

This is the very “pitfall” that is often forgotten.

If you are a citizen of a former CIS country and work for a Polish company performing international routes, the employer is obliged to issue you a Świadectwo Kierowcy (colloquially, “red paper”).

Issued by: The Chief Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD) in Warsaw.
Why it’s needed: This is confirmation for the regulatory authorities of other EU countries that you are legally employed, have a Polish Code 95, insurance, and the right to work.
Attachment: The document is strictly tied to a specific employer.
Common mistake: If you quit company “A” and moved to company “B,” the old Certificate is annulled. You do not have the right to travel internationally outside of Poland until company “B” issues you a new “red paper.” Traveling without it results in a fine of several thousand euros for the company and a ban on further work for you.

Temporary Residence Permit for Drivers: Karta Pobytu

A work visa expires, and going home for a new one is a waste of time and money. The optimal strategy for a long-haul driver in 2026 is to apply for a temporary residence permit (Karta Pobytu) based on employment.

Advantages:

Issued for up to 3 years (Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy i pracę).
Eliminates the need for visas.
Grants the right to legally stay in Poland while awaiting a decision (a red stamp is placed in the passport), even if your visa has already expired.

In practice: A driver is almost always on a trip, and it’s difficult to “catch” dates for fingerprinting at the Municipal office (Urząd). Experienced drivers submit a package of documents by registered mail through Poczta Polska (Polish Post). The mailing date is considered the date of legal submission of documents. Later, the Municipal office (Urząd) will send a letter with an appointed date for fingerprint submission.

Common Mistakes of Foreign Drivers

Working with thousands of students, we at “Code 95 u Marka” have identified the top 3 critical mistakes:

Working on a visa-free basis (Biometrics) beyond the limit. A biometric passport grants the right to stay in Schengen for 90 days within 180. If you exceed this period while working on EU routes, you will be deported at the first check. Biometrics are only suitable for training and initial document processing.
Purchasing “fake” invitations. Attempting to speed up the process through dubious intermediaries selling Oświadczenie from shell companies leads to visa refusal and inclusion in the SIS database (Schengen Information System).
Ignoring document validity periods. A driver must always have valid documents: license, tachograph chip card, medical examination, psychological tests, Code 95, visa/residence permit, and Świadectwo Kierowcy. An expired document makes the trip illegal.

Conclusion

Legal driver job placement for drivers from former CIS countries in Europe is a strict step-by-step process. From obtaining a work permit and D visa to undergoing medical examinations, passing the Code 95 exam, and receiving a Driver’s Certificate (GITD). Skipping even one stage is impossible.

To avoid getting lost in Polish bureaucracy and wasting weeks waiting for the necessary paperwork, start your journey with a reliable partner.

At “Code 95 u Marka” (StarTruck), we don’t just provide training. We offer comprehensive support: from assistance with PKZ profiles to legalization consultations.

Do everything legally once, and Europe will open up excellent career prospects for you.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work as a driver in Poland if I have a Lithuanian work visa?

No. You can only legally work in the country and for the company that issued your work permit. A Lithuanian visa does not grant the right to employment in Poland.

Can I come on a tourist visa and start working?

No, a tourist visa (type C) does not grant the right to work. You will have to return to your country to obtain a work visa (type D) based on a document from your employer.

How long does it take for GITD to issue a Driver’s Certificate (red paper)?

In 2026, processing times average 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the inspectorate’s workload. This process cannot be expedited; it simply needs to be factored into the internship plan.