1. Completed form of the application for temporary residence permit, in accordance with information;
   Note: Foreigner shall fill in the application form and annex No 2. While submitting the application foreigner shall also attached annex No 1, filled in by an entity entrusting performance of a paid activity to the foreigner (by foreigner’s employer).
2. 4 up-to-date photographs;
3. Photocopy of a valid travel document (original available for inspection), in particularly justified case if the foreigner does not have a valid travel document and it is not possible to obtain such document, may present another document which confirms his/her identity;
4. Information from the poviat starost competent with regard to main place of performance of the work by the foreigner on the lack of the possibility to satisfy the employer’s staff needs based on unemployed or job-seekers registers or on negative recruitment result organized for the employer.

Note: This document is issued at the request of the entity which delegate work by District Employment Office (powiatowy urząd pracy) competent for main place of performance of the work by the foreigner. In the case of doubts whether the above information from the poviat starost is required it is advisable to contact proper voivodeship (urząd wojewódzki) organizational unit which is involved in issuing work permits for foreigners.

The document is not required if:

1. the profession performed or entrusted work is within list of occupations and kinds of work specified by each voivode in relation to which issuing the work permit does not require taking into account the above information of the poviat starost (Article 10 (4), item 1 of the Act of 20 April 2004 on Promotion of Employment and Labour Market Institutions), or
2. a foreigner, immediately before submitting the application had a permit for work, residence permit and work permit or a temporary stay permit in order to perform work in a profession requiring high qualifications at the same employer on the same post, or
3. a foreigner had been already legally employed within the territory of the Republic of Poland for the period of 2 years on the basis of a temporary stay permit in order to perform work in a profession requiring high qualifications, or
4. a foreigner meets the conditions defined in the provisions published on the basis of Article 90 passage 5 of the Act of 20 April 2004 on Promotion of Employment and Labour Market Institutions
5. a foreigner meets the conditions of an exemption from the obligation of having a work permit, as specified in separate regulations.

Note: Lack of any of the aforementioned documents will result in margin call within 7 days from its delivery, under pain of leaving the application without examination.

Standard documents necessary for examination of the application:

Note: Documents listed below attached to the application may reduce the quantity of official correspondence and shorten the time which is necessary to handle the case.

1. In the case of meeting the conditions of an exemption from the obligation of having a work permit – a document confirming meeting these conditions (e.g. Polish Card, diploma of graduation from full-time studies on a Polish university, diploma of completing a Polish high school);
2. a contract of employment concluded for a period of at least 1 year, tolling agreement, civil contract on the basis of which work is performed, services provides or work relation is maintained;
3. document evidencing having university professional qualifications;
4. document evidencing fulfilment of qualification requirements and other conditions in the case of the intention to perform work in a regulated profession;
5. permission of the competent authority for holding a specified position, performance of a profession or conducting other operations, when the obligation of its obtaining before entering into the contract is imposed by separate regulations;

documents proving health insurance as defined by the provisions of the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from the public funds or confirmation of the insurer covering the costs of medical treatment on the territory of the Republic of Poland (e.g. appropriate certificate from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), insurance policy).

In the period of the first 2 years of stay of a foreigner on the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of this permit:

1. the foreigner cannot commence performing the work at any other entity than specified in the permit,
2. the foreigner cannot change the position on which they are employed,

the foreigner cannot be paid remuneration lower than specified in the permit – without changing the permit.

A decision on granting a permanent residence permit is issued for an indefinite period. A residence card remains valid for 10 years, which means that it should be replaced every 10 years.

A permanent residence permit issued in Poland does not entitle the foreigner to take up work in another country.

A permanent residence permit entitles the foreigner to travel to other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for tourism purposes

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EU long-term residence permit

The foreigner who has been staying legally and continuously on the territory of the Republic of Poland staying for at least 5 years directly prior to submission of the application for granting this permits and meets the following conditions:

1. has a source of stable and regular income adequate to cover the means of subsistence for them and their family members who are subsisted by them;

2. has health insurance as defined by the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from the public funds or a certificate confirming that the costs of medical treatment on the territory of the Republic of Poland shall be covered by an insurer.

The permit is granted for indefinite time.

Note for important exceptions:

1.In the case of mobile holders of the so-called EU Blue Card: The required 5-year period of residence on the territory of Poland, shall include the total period of legal residence on the territory of the European Union, if the foreigner was staying legally and continuously at this territory for at least 5 years on the basis of the residence document with an annotation ” EU Blue Card ” issued by a Member State of the European Union, including Poland – for at least 2 years directly prior to submission of the application for granting the permit for stay of a long-term resident of EU on the basis of a permit for temporary residence for the purpose of work in profession requiring high qualifications.

2.In the case of foreigners who stay for the purpose of studies or continue their legal residence in Poland after completing these studies: foreigners who stay in Poland for the purpose of studies not may apply for a residence permit for EU long-term resident. Foreigners residing in Poland due to their intention to take up or continue education also cannot apply for this permit. The 5-year period of residence, determining obtaining of the aforementioned permit shall include half of the period of stay on the basis of a visa issued for the purpose of study programs or on the basis of a residence permit for the purpose of receiving higher education.

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