For Individuals & Families

Temporary Residence
Permits in Poland

A temporary residence permit allows non-EU citizens to live legally in Poland for a defined purpose and period. Whether you're here to work, study or run a business — this is where your legal stay begins.

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What is a temporary residence permit?

The foundation of your
legal stay in Poland

A temporary residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy) is an official decision issued by the Voivode (regional governor) that authorises a non-EU citizen to reside in Poland legally for a specific purpose — such as work, study or running a business.

The permit is issued for a period of between 3 months and 3 years, depending on the circumstances. First-time applicants often receive a shorter period — commonly one year — but this does not disadvantage you in any way. Once you hold a residence card, you maintain continuity: you simply apply for the next one before the current one expires. The first card is the hardest to obtain. Every subsequent renewal is significantly more straightforward.

The permit is tied to a specific reason for stay. If your circumstances change — for example, you change employer or course of study — the permit may need to be updated or a new one applied for.

Duration

From 3 months to 3 years — extended repeatedly to maintain continuous legal stay

Issued by

The Voivode (regional authority). All offices follow the same legal framework — though each may have its own working practices and administrative customs

Purpose-tied

Every permit is issued for a specific reason — work, study, business or family. The reason must be maintained throughout the permit's validity

Important — Negative premises

Polish law defines a set of circumstances (so-called negative premises) that automatically disqualify an applicant from receiving a temporary residence permit — regardless of whether the main conditions are met. These include factors related to public order, security, prior violations of immigration law and others. Before applying, it is essential to verify that none of these apply to your situation.

Types of temporary residence permit

Which permit applies to you?

Employment

Work & Stay Permit

The most common type of temporary residence permit in Poland. It combines the right to reside with the right to work for a specific employer, under a specific contract. The application is submitted jointly by the employee and their Polish employer — both parties must provide documentation.

Who qualifiesNon-EU nationals employed by a Polish entity under an employment or civil law contract (umowa o pracę, umowa zlecenia)

DurationUp to 3 years, renewable. First permits often issued for 1 year

Key documentsApplication for the permit (wniosek) and the employer's Załącznik nr 1 — signed by the employer using Profil Zaufany and submitted together in the MOS system

ImportantThe permit is employer-specific. If employment ends, the applicant has 15 working days to notify the Voivode and 30 days from the date of job loss to either apply for an amendment (change of employer) or a new permit — with statutory exceptions provided for in the Act. Missing these deadlines results in loss of legal stay

Umowa o pracęUmowa zleceniaJoint applicationEmployer-specific

Applications are submitted through MOS

All residence permit applications must be submitted online through the MOS system. Foreigners residing in Poland are required to use this channel — the application is filed digitally, together with all supporting documents.

Employer coordination matters

Many applications are delayed or rejected due to inconsistencies on the employer's side — incorrect tax registration, wrong company form, or missing Załącznik nr 1. We coordinate directly with HR to close these gaps before submission.

Not sure if this applies to you?

Take the free assessment and find out in minutes which permit matches your situation.

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Service fee only

Our service fee does not include government administrative fees, sworn translations, apostilles, notarisation costs, courier fees, document procurement fees or any third-party expenses unless expressly stated otherwise. Such costs vary depending on the applicant's circumstances and are payable separately.

Processing times

Processing times depend entirely on the competent authority handling the case. Relocation to Poland cannot guarantee any specific decision date, processing speed or application outcome.

Investment

Priced to match how much you need us

From 1,500 PLN to 3,600 PLN, depending on how much of the process you'd like us to handle:

Start

1,500 PLN

paid upfront

We register you (PESEL, Trusted Profile) and file your application. You get a complete document checklist with step-by-step instructions to gather everything yourself.

Start + Document Handling

2,400 PLN

paid in 2 instalments

Everything in Start, plus we gather the documents for you — translations, certifications, and direct contact with the relevant institutions.

Full Representation

3,600 PLN

paid in instalments through the process

Everything above, plus Power of Attorney through the whole process — monitoring your case, responding to office requests, appeals and follow-ups, and attending your biometrics appointment, until the decision.

Government fees, translations and other third-party costs are separate. Your exact payment plan is confirmed personally, after your free assessment.

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Not sure which permit
applies to you?

Take the free assessment. Answer a few questions about your situation and we'll identify the right permit track, what documents you'll need, and what to expect.