Uniform Temporary Residence and Work Permit in Poland

Last updated: 11.03.2026

Introduction

The uniform temporary residence and work permit is the key instrument for legalising the stay and employment of non-EU nationals in the territory of the Republic of Poland whose main purpose of stay is to work for a Polish employer. In one procedure, both the purpose of stay and the possibility of performing work under specified conditions are assessed, hence the “single” nature of the permit.

Who can apply for a Uniform Temporary Residence and Work Permit?

As a rule, this type of permit is available to non-EU/EEA nationals who:

• are staying in Poland at the time of filing the application;
• plan to stay in Poland for more than 3 months as part of a temporary stay in the territory of the republic of Poland;
• have employment as their main purpose of stay, based on a legal relationship constituting the basis for work, with an employer acting as the entity entrusting work;
• do not fall under any grounds for refusal to initiate the proceedings.

In practice, the key elements are: a genuine intention of a Polish employer to hire the foreign national, stable employment conditions, and remuneration not lower than the applicable minimum and market standards for comparable positions.

Note:

An application for a uniform temporary residence and work permit cannot be submitted, in particular, if the foreign national:

• is posted to work in Poland by a foreign employer;
• runs a business activity in Poland;
• stays in Poland on the basis of a visa issued for tourist purposes, visiting family or friends, or full-time studies.

Procedure for obtaining the Uniform permit

Filing the application

The application is filed with the voivode competent for the place of the foreigner’s intended residence. For example, for foreigners residing in Warsaw, the competent authority is:

Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki

1. Marszałkowska 3/5

00-624 Warsaw

An online form must be printed and submitted either in person at the office or by registered mail via the post office – Poczta Polska, no later than on the last day of the foreigner’s legal stay in Poland (e.g. during the validity of a visa, previous permit or visa-free stay).

The foreigner must hold a valid travel document, such as a valid passport or other foreigner’s travel document, at the time of submission.

If the application is filed by registered mail, the foreigner later will be summoned to appear in person to submit fingerprints.

Submitting a complete application within the deadline ensures legal stay in Poland until the decision is issued. In such a case, the stay remains lawful even if the previous visa expires, provided the application was submitted correctly.

Required documents

• duly signed and completed application form;
• Annex No. 1 to the application, specifying employment conditions and the scope of work performed;
• proof of payment of fees for the permit and residence card; including the relevant stamp duty;
• full copy of the passport;
• 4 photographs 35 x 45 mm, meeting passport photo requirements;
• documents confirming health insurance coverage, including evidence that the foreigner is covered under the system of health care services financed from public funds, or other equivalent private coverage;
• certificate confirming that the employer has no tax arrears;
• where required, documents confirming qualifications, especially in the case of a profession requiring high qualifications or a regulated profession;
• other documents as required by the practice of the competent authority.

In some cases, additional documents may be required, including information from the national court register or confirmation that the foreigner has no criminal record, depending on the nature of the position and the employer’s activity.

Validity period

The permit is issued for up to 3 years, taking into account the duration of the employment.

Fees

The fee for issuing the decision granting the permit is PLN 440.

An additional PLN 100 must be paid for issuing the temporary residence card. This can be paid either before submitting the application or after a positive decision is issued.

Processing time

By law, the application should be examined within 30–60 days. In practice, the procedure often takes longer (up to 1 year), particularly in regions with a high volume of applications.

Delays may also result from formal deficiencies in the submitted basic documents, which may prevent the authority from properly initiate proceedings.

This should be taken into account when planning the stay and employment in Poland.

Presence in Poland

When applying for a permit, the foreigner declares that their intention is to stay in Poland for at least 3 months. This does not mean, however, that the foreigner cannot leave Poland during the pending procedure but if they decide leave Poland, it is crucial that they will be able to re-enter Poland, i.e. they must make sure they hold a valid visa or other basis for entry, as filing the application itself does not entitle them to cross the border.

During the procedure for granting a temporary residence permit, it is required that:

1. On the date of filing the application, the foreigner is staying in Poland.

Even if the application is submitted by an attorney, the timeline and travel plans must be carefully coordinated. If it turns out that at the moment of filing (e.g. sending the application by post) the foreigner was abroad, tthe voivode will refuse to initiate proceedings.

2. The foreigner appears in person at the voivodeship office and provides fingerprints.

If the application has been filed by post, the foreigner (or their attorney) will later receive a summons for the foreigner’s personal appearance.

3. The residence card is collected by the foreigner in person.

An attorney is not allowed to collect the residence card, even if such authority is expressly granted in the power of attorney.

Decision and residence card

The decision granting the single permit for temporary residence and work is issued for a period between 3 months and 3 years.

The key factor determining the validity period is the duration of the employment contract with the Polish employer.

Although the voivode’s decision grants the right to stay in Poland, it does not entitle the foreigner to cross borders within the EU. Cross-border travel within the Schengen Area becomes possible only after collecting the residence card – a plastic identity document with the holder’s photograph, which confirms both the right of stay and, within its validity and scope, the right to travel.

Obligations of a foreigner holding a uniform residence and work permit

The uniform temporary residence and work permit is directly linked to a specific employer, position and employment conditions. The permit defines the scope of work performed and applies to a specific foreign employee engaged under a contract with an employer who may be a legal person (such as a limited liability company or a joint stock company) or natural persons engaged in business activity.

The employment must comply with the applicable minimum remuneration and minimum wage standards, as well as the situation on the local labor market, which may be assessed by the poviat labor office competent.

End of employment or loss of job.

If the employment relationship ceases, the foreigner must notify the competent voivode within 15 working days. Failure to do so may result in withdrawal of the existing permit or refusal to grant a new one.

Change of employer or working conditions.

A change of employer or of key terms of employment, such as position, salary or same working time, requires amending the existing permit or obtaining a new temporary residence and work permit.

Obligations of the employer

Notification of changes

The employer is obliged to notify the voivode competent for the foreigner’s place of residence within 15 working days of any of the following changes:

• change of the employer’s registered office or place of residence, name or legal form;
• transfer of the enterprise or its part to another employer;
• increase of working time specified in the permit, combined with a proportional increase of remuneration;
• change of the job title without changing the scope of the foreigner’s duties;
• replacement of a civil law contract with an employment contract.

Notification of termination of employment

If the employment contract with the foreigner is terminated, the employer is also obliged to notify the competent voivode within 15 working days.

Summary

The uniform temporary residence and work permit helps streamline and secure the legal situation of both the foreigner and the employer within one administrative procedure. Legal safety, however, requires careful preparation of documentation, ongoing monitoring of compliance of employment conditions with the decision, and timely notification of the authorities of any material changes.

For companies planning long-term employment of foreign nationals in Poland, it is crucial to implement a well-structured immigration strategy. This minimises formal risks and effectively supports business growth based on international teams.

FAQ: Uniform Temporary Residence and Work Permit in Poland