Legalisation of Employment of Foreign Nationals – Draft Regulation of the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy Covers 329 Professions

The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has published a draft regulation concerning the legalisation of employment of foreign nationals, including a list of 329 shortage occupations. Employment of foreign nationals in these professions is intended to allow for faster legalisation of work and residence in Poland, as well as priority processing of visa applications.

Faster Legalisation of Work for Foreign Nationals in Shortage Occupations

Under the draft regulation, foreign nationals employed in professions included on the shortage list are expected to benefit from preferential treatment in work legalisation proceedings. This development may prove especially significant for businesses operating in sectors where recruitment challenges have become persistent and structurally embedded.

Significance of the Shortage Occupations List for Visa Proceedings

The shortage profession list is also intended to serve as a reference point for consular authorities handling visa applications. Applications submitted by foreign nationals planning to work in shortage roles may be prioritised, potentially resulting in shorter processing timelines and greater predictability for employers navigating cross-border recruitment.

Scope of the Draft Regulation – Industries and Shortage Occupations

The draft regulation spans a broad range of professions, including roles in:

• construction and installation services,
• industrial production, manufacturing and maintenance,
• the energy sector,
• transport and professional driving,
• technical services and machine operation,
• healthcare and care-related services,
• IT and advanced technical roles (including software developers, system administrators and analysts).

Legal Support in the Legalisation of Employment of Foreign Nationals

The draft regulation on shortage occupations may have a significant impact on the legalisation of work and residence of foreign nationals, as well as on visa procedures. We provide comprehensive legal assistance to employers and foreign nationals in matters related to employment legalisation, work permits, and residence and visa proceedings. Contact our team of legal experts.