How to obtain a residence permit and what does obtaining a residence permit in Poland provide?

Residence permit and Life Card - what is the difference?

These concepts are often confused, although they are on overlapping but different legal planes. If a residence permit (both temporary residence permit and permanent residence) is the very facts of permission to stay in the country, then the Life Card (Polish: Karta pobytu) is a document (plastic card) confirming these rights.

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Depending on the type of permit, Life Cards differ:

• Temporary Residence Card (Polish, Karta czasowego pobytu) – a document confirming receipt of a residence permit in Poland (valid from 3 to 36 months);
• Stalego Pobytu Card (Polish, Karta stalego pobytu) - accordingly, documentary evidence of permanent residence (up to 10 years).

, a special identification number for tax transactions, is registered and entered on the card

The difference between residence permit and permanent residence

Zezwоlenie na zamieszkanie na czas określony – this means a residence permit, that is, a temporary residence permit. Thanks to this document, you can officially find a job and live for a certain period of time. Depending on how long you are allowed to stay on the territory in Poland. Typically, terms range from 3 months to 3 years. Most often, the first time is given for one year, and the second time they may be given permission for a longer time. However, only if citizens did not break the law and accepted the tradition and culture of Poland.

Zezwolenie na osiedlenie si ę – this means permanent residence, that is, permanent residence. This document is valid for 10 years.

There is also Niebieska Karta (blue card). It is issued for no more than 5 years, but on the condition that before that the citizen lived in the Republic of Poland for at least 5 years. Also, to obtain a blue card, you will need to confirm the regular income that you have received over the past 3 years. This could be a bank statement showing the regular receipt of funds.

What does a residence permit give to a citizen of Ukraine, Russia and Belarus?

The advantages that a residence permit in Poland provides for Ukrainians, Belarusians and Russians are as follows:

1. Allows you to officially stay, including study, find a job (with a temporary residence permit - with additional permission) or carry out business activities on the territory of the state.
2. The Pobytu card is an identity document, incl. confirms the terms of officially permitted stay in the country.
3. Possibility of visa-free stay in other Schengen countries: without employment and for a period of no more than 90 days in total, within six months.
4. Provides access to medicine, education, purchase or rental of movable and immovable property.
5. A residence permit in Poland is an excellent way to take the first step towards obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Poland.

In some cases, by agreement of the Polish government with other countries, a residence permit provides the opportunity to obtain preferential visas to third countries . For example, similar agreements with the United States and Great Britain.

Obtaining a residence permit in Poland

Many of our clients would like to receive an ID card for a temporary residence permit in any European country for the maximum possible period and with a minimum of costs. Also, few people are enthusiastic about collecting various certificates, translating and legalizing them. Most people want a residence permit to be issued to the whole family at once. And of course, the maintenance of this residence permit should be kept to a minimum. It is for such discerning clients that we are pleased to offer a residence permit in Poland.

To obtain a residence permit and permanent residence permit, the following is not required : knowledge of the Polish language, a certificate of no criminal record, a certificate of health, a certificate from the bank. Residence permit card for 3 years at once.

Necessary documents for obtaining a residence permit:

— Valid passport for at least 1.5 years

— Availability of a national visa D for a visit to Warsaw (it is not necessary to have a visa immediately; you can apply for one in advance before applying for a residence permit)

— A copy of the marriage certificate (if a residence permit will be issued immediately for the spouse)

— A copy of the children’s birth certificate (if a residence permit will be issued for the children immediately)

Registration of a residence permit in Poland is based on a contract with one of the Polish companies.

The cost of obtaining a residence permit for an adult is 2990 euros, for a child 990 euros.

All included in the price:

• obtaining a work permit,
• translations and certifications,
• speeding up the queue for delivery,
• support when applying for and receiving a residence permit,
• payment of state fees,
• permanent residence address.

No additional costs!

Payment in 2 stages: advance payment of 50%, the balance upon receipt of a D visa to obtain a residence permit in Poland.

Applying for a D visa takes about 2-3 weeks, and the wait for an ID card for a Polish residence permit is from 2 to 6 months from the date of application to receipt of the residence permit.

2 visits to Warsaw are required: to submit and receive documents. While waiting, receive a stamp for your passport allowing you to stay in Poland if you do not want to leave Europe.

You can immediately and without passing an exam change your national driving license to a Polish driving license!

Stages of work when obtaining a residence permit in Poland:

• providing you with copies of the necessary documents
• concluding an agreement with our company and making an advance payment
• booking a queue for submission (registration takes place a month in advance or more depending on the season)
• issuing a work permit for you and preparing an application package (this process takes 1-3 weeks)
• Applying for a Polish six-month work visa D
• Your visit to Warsaw to submit documents
• waiting for a decision to be made (from 3 to 6 months). A stamp will be issued allowing you to stay in Poland while waiting
• visit to Warsaw to obtain a residence permit card

To renew a residence permit, it is enough to conclude a new contract and not have any tax arrears.

To obtain permanent residence, it is enough not to have tax debts.

If you have Polish roots, then we will help you obtain Polish citizenship, bypassing 4 years of residence permit and 5 years of permanent residence. Within 2 years you will be able to obtain a Polish passport and, accordingly, EU citizenship. To do this, you will not need to pass exams on knowledge of the Polish language and constitution. Poland supports second citizenship, so you will not have to renounce your first citizenship.

The cost of our services to obtain Polish citizenship is 3500 euros!

Everything is included here - translations, certifications, support to government agencies in Warsaw, duties.

Registration of a residence permit in Poland primarily attracts Russians due to its territorial accessibility - proximity to Russia and European countries such as the Czech Republic and Germany. The standard of living and similarity of languages ​​are also important factors. If you have Polish roots, then obtaining a residence permit and citizenship in Poland in 2021 will not be difficult. But if there are no relatives in the country, do not despair, we will tell you about the simplest options for obtaining a residence permit in Poland without investment .

A residence permit is issued immediately for 3 years and for the whole family, permanent residence can be obtained 4 years after the first receipt of a residence permit, and citizenship 2-3 years after receiving permanent residence.

A residence permit implies obtaining a plastic ID card, which provides the owner with a certain set of rights:

• Is an identity document on the territory of Poland for a foreign citizen
• Indicates the duration of the issued residence permit
• Provides the opportunity to travel around the countries of the Schengen zone, but not more than 90 days in six months
• Provides the opportunity to purchase movable and immovable property
• Entitles you to complete medical care

Typically, it takes about three months to obtain a residence permit. For the first time it can be issued for a period of 3 years. In order to renew a residence permit, you must submit an application 60 days before the expiration date.

Who can apply? Conditions for Ukrainians, Russians and Belarusians

Registration of a temporary residence permit (TRP, Temporary residence card) in Poland is available to almost any foreigner who does not have problems with the law, unfulfilled orders (administrative, judicial, etc.) and is not on the SIS lists, as well as corresponding to several or one of the requirements:

• undergoes full-time studies at a Polish university , including language courses lasting more than one year;
• has its own business on Polish territory or is a partner (co-founder) of one of the Polish legal entities;
• is employed under a long-term contract or is officially working in Poland for more than three months in a row and still is;
• has a marital relationship with a Polish citizen or a person with permanent residence permit (this is the basis for the maximum - three-year - period of temporary residence permit);
• has the status of a victim of human trafficking if such a person is on the territory of the state and cooperates with the investigation.

There are several other more specific conditions.

How long can it take to do it?

A foreigner can count on a temporary residence permit immediately after the appearance of grounds for obtaining temporary residence.

However – and this is important! – the law states that a person planning to stay in Poland for at least 3 months .

Many Urzęds perceive this as the norm, requiring a minimum three-month stay in Poland. Accordingly, only those foreigners who have already spent this period in the Republic of Poland are accepted for consideration.

You can count on a permanent residence permit (PR) immediately after collecting documents confirming the right to apply for this status.

Advantages of a residence permit in Poland

The main, main argument in favor is the right to legal residence, work and business. There are restrictions compared to full citizenship, but they are not critical. That is why residents of many European countries that are not members of the European Union seek to obtain a residence permit in Poland and Karta Pobytu. We do not believe that the rule “over there [in Poland – approx. ed.] is always better than in my country,” but a residence permit in a reputable, dynamically developing and stable European jurisdiction is something worth “straining” for. A residence permit in Poland is not a panacea, but it is an extremely interesting option to arrange your life and forget about many problems and difficulties.

Other undoubted advantages of Karta Pobytu:

• Free movement within the Schengen countries. An important clarification – a residence permit in Poland does not give the right to work in the European Union. This will require a higher legal status.
• The right to cross the Polish border without any restrictions and additional hassle in obtaining additional permits and justifications.
• Significantly higher level of comfort. Thus, holders of a residence permit in Poland, even without the status of a citizen, can purchase and register real estate (houses, apartments) and cars.
• Simplified and accelerated procedure for submitting documents for visas to countries that usually complicate this procedure (Canada, Switzerland, USA, England, etc.).
• Simplified procedure for obtaining permanent residence status. Having Karta Pobytu and the status of a residence permit in Poland in hand, the likelihood of refusal will be much less, and the paperwork will be processed according to an accelerated program.

What do you need to receive? List of documents

Depending on the grounds, the documents required to be submitted vary. However, there is a mandatory package that includes:

• application form of the established form, filled out in Polish;
  Wniosek o pobyt czasowy z tytułu pracy (z załącznikiem).
• Załącznik do wniosku o pobyt czasowy - wypełnia pracodawca!
• Wniosek o pobyt czasowy.

You can find out the company details on the Ministrystwa Sprawiedliwości website.

In certain voivodeships additionally required:

• confirmation of housing availability (ownership, rent, hostel);
• registration

In some cases, other additional information is required, which will be discussed below.

How to obtain a temporary and permanent residence permit and legalize yourself in Poland?

A residence permit in Poland for Belarusians, Russians and Ukrainians can be obtained in several ways; we will consider all the possible ones.

Through language courses and studies

Studying in Poland and language courses for foreigners are the official basis for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Poland for Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians. However, in addition to the documents and procedures already mentioned, this method of obtaining permission has a number of features:

1. A document is required confirming the fact of study: enrollment upon first receipt of a residence permit and continuation of studies upon renewal of the document.
2. Confirmation of solvency (both for study and for accommodation) can be a bank statement, certificate of sponsorship, etc.
3. An initial permit is issued for a period of no more than 15 months. In the future, the residence permit is extended.

The “length of stay” during training is calculated as 1 to 0.5 , that is, for two years of study, only one year of experience is counted.

By marriage

This category includes not only spouses of Polish citizens (or those with permanent residence), but also minor children - members of their families.

The method of obtaining a residence permit also applies to adopted children.

Additional documents:

• Marriage certificate;
• confirmation of relationship (for children);
• confirmation of citizenship or permanent residence of one of the spouses.

Read information about getting married to a citizen of the Republic of Poland here.

Through employment on a work visa with a work contract

One of the most popular ways to obtain a temporary residence permit. The main task is a preliminary search for official work and the conclusion of an appropriate contract. The main difficulties lie in competition in the labor market - Poles and other EU residents can find work without special permission, and the level of wages cannot be lower than that established by law.

Additionally, it is necessary to collect documents related to work:

• confirming official employment;
• work permit;
• information about payment in ZUS (insurance and medical fees) - not required in all voivodeships;
• information from previous places of work (if there were several) - upon additional request.

You must notify local authorities about the loss of your job (15 days are given for this), and within the next 30 days find a new job and update your Polish residence permit . Otherwise, the permission automatically becomes invalid.

For highly qualified specialists, the option of obtaining a Blue card EU is possible - it will help you quickly and efficiently obtain a residence permit in Poland, however, you must have extraordinary knowledge and experience to obtain such a permit.

Having Polish roots (by descent)

A foreigner who has proven his Polish origin can apply for permanent residence. To do this, it is necessary to select documents confirming that at least one of the parents or grandparents of the applicant was Polish.

Great-grandparents are also taken into account, but at least two .

After submitting documents, an interview is carried out, language proficiency testing, etc. The process is basically identical to the procedure for obtaining a Pole card, but is carried out in Poland.

For persons planning to live in the Republic of Poland and having Polish roots , it makes sense to immediately apply for a residence permit based on their roots, without first completing other documents.

According to the Pole's map

If a foreigner already has a Pole card, the process of obtaining a PRP (permanent residence permit) is greatly simplified. It is enough to select the necessary documents and contact the department. The case will be considered without additional checks, and existing documents will be proof of roots and knowledge of the language.

You need to know that when you receive a PCB on a Pole’s card, the latter is confiscated.

Open a company and get business

A rather specific way of obtaining a residence permit is through opening a company. To use it, you must complete two steps :

1. Employment of at least two people who have the right to work in Poland without special permission.
2. Evidence that the company has generated consistent and significant income over the past year.

If both points cannot be fulfilled, there is an option to prove that the applicant has a sufficient amount of funds that he is ready to invest in the Polish economy and organize the fulfillment of the two above conditions in the near future.

When purchasing real estate

The direct fact of owning Polish real estate is not the basis for a residence permit, but together with proven financial solvency (for example, a long-term employment contract) it can play a positive role in obtaining the status.

At a minimum, owning real estate eliminates the need to additionally confirm the presence of a place of residence, registration, etc., which is necessary to obtain a residence permit.

How to obtain a residence permit for Russians and CIS citizens?

Depending on your financial capabilities and the purpose of your stay in Poland, a residence permit will have different grounds for acquisition.

• The most popular are employment, education, entrepreneurship.
• The simplest ones are repatriation and marriage to a Polish citizen.

When purchasing real estate

Unfortunately, it is impossible to obtain a residence permit in Poland simply by purchasing a home. In principle, the authorities do not prevent non-residents from concluding real estate transactions, but they do not give any preferences. Therefore, you can buy a house by the sea, but you need to obtain a residence permit for other reasons.

Investments

Investments in the economy of the republic will allow you to obtain a residence permit or permanent residence permit.
Moreover, for a legal entity, an authorized capital of only 5,000 zlotys or 1,170 euros is sufficient (as of December 6, 2019 at the rate of the European Central Bank). Other conditions for doing business in Poland:

• creation of at least 2 jobs for the local population (including foreigners with residence permit status);
• wages at the enterprise are not less than the minimum established by the state;
• the employment contract is concluded with employees for an indefinite period;
• availability of a business plan and tools for its implementation.

By and large, an entrepreneur must, with documents in hand, prove to officials that his business will benefit the Polish state.

After reviewing the documents, this is exactly what will have to be done during a mandatory interview with officials, preferably with a presentation and evidence in hand.

In the first year of activity, you do not need to show financial results, but in the second year you will need to confirm that the company generates a profit equal to 12 times the subsistence level. This is a fairly large amount (approximately 60,000 zlotys) and is not suitable for a small business. That is, you should not expect that you can open a cafe or souvenir shop and receive a residence permit on this basis.

Algorithm for opening a new company in Poland:

1. Selecting the type of economic activity. The law practically does not restrict business. Only clearly criminal schemes, the construction of airfields, and television and radio broadcasting are subject to the ban.
2. Registration of a legal entity. The most popular forms are LLC and OJSC. This can be done remotely.
3. Obtaining a business visa. It is possible that already at this stage you will need to provide a business plan or your vision of the prospects for the development of the chosen type of business activity in Poland.
4. While already on site, you can take care of the legal registration of relations with tax and social services, rental of premises, and an agreement for accounting services.

During the same period of time (since the business visa is not valid for long), you should start preparing documents for a residence permit.

This includes:

• statement;
• 4 photos;
• original and copy of passport;
• insurance policy;
• a residential lease agreement or a document on the ownership of residential premises;
• proof of income.

The business accounts for profit at the end of the financial year. An applicant for a residence permit, even if he is the sole owner of the company, shows his income regardless of its source. That is, the authorities require that the candidate receive monthly (for example, pension, dividends or salary) at least PLN 701 for himself and PLN 528 for each dependent.

In the vast majority of cases, residence permits based on business immigration are issued for a period of 12 months. When extended, they can provide it for 3 years.

Family bonds

• Marriage to a Polish citizen allows you to immediately obtain a residence permit for a period of 2 years. Then a residence permit is granted for 36 months, after which you can apply for permanent residence.
  In case of divorce before obtaining a permanent residence permit, the residence permit will be cancelled. If the marriage breaks up after acquiring permanent residence, the migrant’s status will not change.

  Polish authorities encourage marriages to be registered in official government institutions, but church ceremonies of some denominations are not prohibited. For example, a wedding in a Catholic church will be recognized as legal.

  Spouses need to be prepared for the fact that the truth of the marriage relationship will be carefully checked (questioning neighbors, unexpected visits from officials). In Poland, they are very strict about fictitious family ties concluded only for the purpose of immigration.

• Another option for obtaining a residence permit is having relatives among Polish citizens. For family reunification, the applicant must present an invitation from a relative, who must prove that he has the financial ability and living conditions to receive his foreign loved ones (spouse, children, parents).
• The easiest way for those who can prove Polish roots. If at least one of the parents or grandparents was Poles, repatriation to the applicant for permanent residence is provided under a preferential scheme. If the roots are deeper - great-grandmother and great-grandfather, then you will have to prove that they were both Poles.

Study in the country

To obtain higher education in the country, a residence permit is issued for a period of one year after successful enrollment.
Then the status will need to be renewed. Maximum re-extension is for 36 months. Many graduates of Polish universities remain to work in the country or find employment in the European Union, since diplomas from universities and institutes of the republic are accepted in 47 countries.

This is a good way to obtain permanent residence, since during your studies you can get married, find a job, or open your own business. In addition, the cost of higher education in Poland is relatively low:

• in private universities it starts from 900 euros per year of study;
• from 1,000 euros – in government;
• the most popular faculties cost the most - about 5,000 euros per year.

The advantage of higher education is that teaching is conducted in two languages ​​– Polish and English.

At the same time, foreign students who can prove their Polish roots can study for free. They are accepted free of charge to study at universities and under programs of European grandees, for example the Kosciuszko Foundation.

Refugee status

Like most European countries, Poland is a party to the Geneva Convention, according to which state authorities are obliged to provide asylum to persons:

• persecuted in their home country for political, religious or racial reasons;
• foreseeing danger to life when returning to their country;
• those who fled from the territory of hostilities;
• those who were enslaved or former victims of human trafficking.

Obtaining refugee status is so easy. An application must be submitted directly at the border for all family members. The application review period is 5 days. If the authorities recognize migrants as refugees, they are provided with:

• temporary housing (in a camp or hostel);
• the right to health care and secondary education for children;
• language courses and benefits (paid only for 1 year).

In practice, people from the CIS are extremely rarely recognized as refugees. For example, in 2014, a large number of Ukrainians arrived in Poland, but they were all refused, since military operations were not taking place throughout the country. The same attitude is towards citizens of Georgia and residents of the Chechen Republic of the Russian Federation.

Those who simply do not have housing or work in their homeland will not be able to obtain status.

The desire to obtain a residence permit in this way is justified by the fact that a regular residence permit gives the right to legally study and work only in Poland, and a refugee residence permit throughout the European Union.

Work activity

The most popular way to obtain a residence permit in Poland is labor migration.

To be able to legally work on the territory of the republic, you need to find an official job and enter into an agreement. Polish employers willingly hire workers in the following specialties:

• turner;
• welder;
• mason.

However, they are legally limited by the requirement to first search in the domestic market.

If the applicant is highly qualified in a particularly scarce field of activity - medicine, IT, metallurgy, the chances of getting a job increase sharply.

A residence permit is issued automatically for the entire period of the contract. If you lose your job, it will also be automatically cancelled. But the migrant has 30 days to find a new employer, and being directly in Poland, this is much easier to do.

Which method should I choose?

To be guaranteed to obtain a residence permit in Poland, you need to soberly assess your chances for each of the possibilities:

• It’s easier for young people to get a higher education or marry a citizen of the state.
• Migrants of working age who have a profession in demand on the labor market - through official employment.
• The easiest way is repatriation.
• And the most difficult one is through the shelter.

Business immigration is not available to everyone. Despite the low entry threshold, you need to understand that entrepreneurial activity must generate high income in order to obtain the right to continue it in Poland, and even more so to count on obtaining a residence permit.

Features of receiving by pensioners

There are no special immigration programs for persons on a well-deserved holiday in Poland. Some pensioners choose this state for permanent residence simply because they can afford to buy real estate and have a good income at home.

It is not difficult for a pensioner to obtain a residence permit; there is a state adaptation program. For example, free Polish language courses. It makes sense to consider this option of obtaining a residence permit only if relatives, such as children, live in Poland.

Receipt times

The collected package of documents is submitted to the local Voivodeship, to the department “for work with foreigners”.

According to the norms , issuing a card takes 1-2 months , but nowadays there are more and more complaints about a significant increase in this period. In extreme cases, the wait lasted up to a year. Uzhendas explain this by the increased workload due to the increase in the number of applicants.

In this case, you need to know:

1. The applicant should receive a letter of acceptance of documents for work, maximum, 2 weeks after applying.
2. At the same time, you should receive a notification about missing or incorrect documents (if any).
3. Immediately after submitting the documents, you must receive the appropriate certificate, which will become a residence permit for the entire period of consideration of the request.
4. If the expiration date of a visa or other permit comes before the end of the consideration of the case (simply, if the visa has expired), you need to put a special stamp in your passport allowing you to stay in the country.

A message about the results of consideration of the request will be sent by letter. In case of a negative decision, the applicant is given 30 days to travel outside the country or repeat the attempt to obtain a residence permit . If the decision is positive, you will need to come to the Voivodeship to provide biometric data and produce a plastic Life Card, which will take about two more weeks.

Residence permit registration period

The prepared documentation is submitted to the Voivodeship Office at the place of residence. Received applications are considered within 1-2 months. Immediately after submitting the documents, you will be given a certificate according to which you can legally stay in Poland throughout the entire period of consideration of the application for a residence permit. You also need to put a special stamp in your passport, which will give you the opportunity to stay in the country without additional permits.

Each applicant is assigned to a specific employee and in order to further resolve all emerging issues, you must communicate with this employee. Be careful, during the first two weeks from the date of submission of documents, a department employee may send you a notification about the absence of any documents (if any). After eliminating the shortcomings (if there are none, then within the same 2 weeks from the date of submission of the papers), a letter should be received confirming the acceptance of the documents for work.

In case of a negative decision on the application, the foreigner must leave Poland within 30 days or issue the appropriate document (visa) for further legal stay in the country. The applicant is notified of a positive decision by a message on a mobile phone or by letter. After this, you need to visit the Voivodeship Office, provide biometrics, pay a fee for the production of a plastic card (the same residence card) and wait another 2 weeks. In two weeks you will become the legal owner of a Polish residence permit!

Recently, the processing time for applications for a residence permit in Poland has increased significantly. Some applications are processed for up to 12 months. Uzhondy employees refer to the increase in those wishing to obtain a residence permit in Poland, and therefore they are unable to make a decision within the established time frame.

What is the validity period? Three years

A temporary residence permit can be issued for different periods: from 3 months to three years. However, you need to clearly understand that if the grounds for status change, you must be notified about this. Otherwise, the card may be cancelled.

A permanent residence permit is assigned for an indefinite period, but the residence card, which confirms the status, must be changed every 10 years!

When planning to extend/replace documents, you need to take into account the workload of government agencies and submit data in advance.