Residence permits, work permits, EU Blue Cards, citizenship applications and visa advice for foreigners.
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Some countries offer residence permits linked to property investment (Golden Visa). An immigration lawyer can advise on thresholds and eligibility.
Processing times vary by country — typically 1–6 months. Your lawyer can track the application and respond to any requests for additional documentation.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Poland's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsImmigration to Poland for non-EU nationals is governed by the Ustawa o cudzoziemcach (Act on Foreigners, Dz.U. 2013 poz. 1650, consolidated 2024) and the Ustawa o promocji zatrudnienia i instytucjach rynku pracy (for work permits). Since February 2022, Ukraine Temporary Protection (TPC) has been a major category under the specustawa ukraińska (Ustawa z 12 marca 2022 r. o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy w związku z konfliktem zbrojnym na terytorium tego państwa). EU/EEA/Swiss nationals have the right of free movement under the AUF (Ustawa o wjeździe na terytorium Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, pobycie oraz wyjeździe z tego terytorium obywateli państw członkowskich UE).
| Permit | Duration | Fee | Key Requirements | Legal Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy (temporary residence) | Up to 3 years | 340 PLN | Purpose: work, study, family reunification; application to Voivode office | Ustawa o cudzoziemcach art. 139 |
| Karta Pobytu (residence card) | Up to 3 years (temporary) / 5 years (permanent) | 50 PLN (card) | Biometric card issued after permit approval | Ustawa o cudzoziemcach art. 226 |
| Zezwolenie na pobyt stały (permanent residence) | Indefinite | 640 PLN | 5 years continuous residence; integration test or Polish spouse/child; B1 Polish language | Ustawa o cudzoziemcach art. 195 |
| EU Long-term Resident Permit | 5 years (renewable) | 640 PLN | 5 years continuous; stable income; insurance; Polish language A2 | Ustawa o cudzoziemcach art. 211 |
| Ukraine TPC (specustawa) | Extended to March 2026 | Free | Ukrainian citizen/stateless; fled after 24.II.2022; register at USC + PESEL application | Ustawa z 12.III.2022, prolonged by rozporządzenie RM |
| Karta Polaka | 10 years (renewable) | Free | Polish descent or Polish cultural connection; not a residence permit but grants work rights | Ustawa z 7.IX.2007 o Karcie Polaka |
For non-EU nationals: standard work permit (Type A) requires employer application to Voivode (fee 100 PLN for ≤3 months, 200 PLN for 3–12 months). The oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy (simplified notification) is available for Ukrainian, Belarusian, Georgian, Moldovan, Russian and Armenian nationals — allows work for up to 24 months without a full work permit (registered at PUP — Powiatowy Urząd Pracy, fee 30 PLN). Single permit (zezwolenie na pobyt i pracę) combines residence and work in one procedure. EU Blue Card: for highly qualified workers earning ≥ 150% of average Polish salary (approximately 9,500 PLN gross/mth in 2025).
Rahul, an Indian citizen, received a job offer from a Warsaw fintech at 18,000 PLN gross/month. Employer applied for Type A work permit: 200 PLN fee; processing 1–3 months at Mazowiecki Voivode. After work permit obtained, Rahul applied for temporary residence permit (pobyt czasowy + praca) — single procedure (340 PLN + 50 PLN card). Granted 3-year permit. After 5 years in Poland with continuous residence: applied for EU Long-term Resident Permit (640 PLN); Polish language A2 level demonstrated. After further 5 years: eligible for Polish citizenship (obywatelstwo) if integration requirements met. Total immigration fees over 10 years: approximately 1,800 PLN.
