Seasonal work in Poland may seem like an “easier” path for many foreigners than standard employment. In practice, things are a bit more complicated: people often confuse zaświadczenie, a seasonal visa, the final permit zezwolenie na pracę sezonową typu S, and the very fact of legally starting work. This leads to common problems: some people think they can already work with only an “entry document,” some pay for things the employer is supposed to handle, and some apply under the wrong procedure altogether.
Simply put, a seasonal work invitation to Poland is not just “any invitation to pick strawberries,” but a specific stage of the seasonal employment procedure. When the worker is still outside Poland, the employer submits an application to the district labor office, and once the application is entered into the register, the employer receives a zaświadczenie o wpisie do ewidencji wniosków w sprawie pracy sezonowej. This is the document that is commonly referred to as a seasonal invitation. It is needed to obtain a D05b visa or as proof of the purpose of entry under a visa-free regime. But it is not yet the final permit for seasonal work.
In this article, we will explain what zaświadczenie is, who can obtain it, what types of work are considered seasonal, how much the process costs, what documents are required, how zaświadczenie differs from zezwolenie typu S, and at which stages people most often make mistakes.
What Is Zaświadczenie And Why Is It Called A Seasonal Work Invitation
The official name of this document is zaświadczenie o wpisie wniosku do ewidencji wniosków w sprawie pracy sezonowej. It is issued by the starosta through the district labor office after the employer submits an application for the seasonal employment of a foreign worker and that application is entered into the relevant register. For the foreign worker, this means one thing: the document confirms that the procedure has been properly initiated and may be used to obtain a visa or as proof of the purpose of entry under a visa-free regime.
However, it is important not to confuse the roles of these documents. Zaświadczenie is not yet the final type S work permit. It is an “entry-stage” document used in the so-called overseas procedure, where the worker first enters Poland for seasonal work, and only after arrival does the employer confirm the worker’s arrival and finalize the seasonal work permit process.
What Types Of Work In Poland Are Considered Seasonal
Not every temporary job is considered seasonal. Seasonal work applies only to jobs in those sectors explicitly defined by Polish law. At present, the relevant reference point is the government regulation listing the types of activities for which seasonal work permits may be issued. In practice, these are primarily sectors related to agriculture, horticulture, certain types of tourism, and related seasonal industries. That is why the phrase “seasonal work” has a legal meaning, not just the everyday meaning of “a job for a few months.”
This matters because one of the most common mistakes is trying to obtain a seasonal work invitation for a vacancy that does not formally fall within the legally recognized categories of seasonal work. In such a case, the matter will either end in refusal, or the employer will have to obtain a completely different type of document for legal employment.
Who Can Obtain A Seasonal Work Invitation
Seasonal employment is available to foreigners from non-EU countries, provided they do not belong to categories of persons exempt from the requirement to hold a work permit. In other words, zaświadczenie is not needed for those who already have another status that gives them the right to work in Poland without an additional permit.
At the same time, the procedure depends not only on citizenship, but also on where the worker is currently located. If the person is still outside Poland and wants to enter specifically for seasonal work, the procedure involving entry of the application into the register and issuance of zaświadczenie is used. If, however, the foreigner is already legally staying in Poland, the procedure may look different, and in many cases the employer proceeds directly to obtaining a type S permit without the “entry-stage” step.
How Zaświadczenie Differs From Zezwolenie Typu S
This is where the greatest confusion usually arises. Zaświadczenie is confirmation that the application has been entered into the register in a seasonal work case. By contrast, zezwolenie na pracę sezonową typu S is the actual decision that provides the legal basis for performing seasonal work under the stated conditions.
In the “overseas” procedure, the logic is as follows: the employer files the application → receives zaświadczenie → the worker uses it to enter Poland → after arrival, the employer reports the worker’s arrival and submits the necessary confirmations → the authority issues the type S permit. So, before entry, the worker will usually have zaświadczenie in hand, not the final zezwolenie.
For this reason, it is dangerous to rely on the logic of “I have already been sent a seasonal work invitation, so everything is ready.” No — that is only one part of the process. For work to begin fully and legally, several conditions must be met at once: proper entry, a contract, the employer’s fulfillment of obligations after the worker’s arrival, and the final issuance of the permit.
How Long Can You Work Seasonally In Poland
Seasonal work in Poland is allowed for no longer than 9 months in a calendar year. This limit is currently the basic benchmark in the official guidance of public authorities regarding the type S permit. This is not just a technical detail, but a key rule: even if the employer wants a longer period, the seasonal work framework has its own legal maximum.
This means that when planning your trip and employment, you need to look not only at the start date, but also at the total period available within the calendar year. In seasonal employment, the calendar matters just as much as the employer or the vacancy itself.
How Much Does It Cost To Obtain A Seasonal Work Invitation
Following the changes in force in 2025–2026, the fee for the type S seasonal permit is 100 zł instead of the old rate of 30 zł. That is why outdated articles often still mention the old amount. For current practice, it is better to rely on the new rates. If the process is handled under a power of attorney, additional technical costs may arise, but the official fee for the seasonal procedure itself is now different from what it used to be.
For the worker, however, the more important point is this: the existence of an official fee within the procedure does not mean that all costs can legally be shifted onto the foreign worker. If someone is being asked to pay “for the permit itself” without a clear explanation of what exactly the payment covers, that is already a reason to examine the arrangement very carefully.
Who Files The Documents And Where
The documents for seasonal employment must be filed not by the worker, but by the employer. The competent authority is the starosta through the district labor office (PUP) based on the employer’s registered office or place of residence. This is a key difference compared with some other types of work permits, where applications are filed at the voivode level.
In many cases, submission now takes place via praca.gov.pl. That is why it is important for the employer not merely to “gather the papers,” but to know how to go through the electronic procedure correctly, upload the attachments, and respond if the authority requests clarifications or additional documents.
What Documents Are Needed For Zaświadczenie
From the worker’s side, the requirements are usually relatively simple: first of all, the details of a valid passport are needed, and sometimes additional documents if the specific seasonal job involves special requirements. The main burden of collecting the document package lies with the employer.
From the employer’s side, an application for the foreign worker’s seasonal employment must be submitted, along with company or business documents, proof of payment, and other attachments that may be required in the specific case. If the authority identifies formal deficiencies, it may request corrections or additions, and this automatically extends the processing time.
It is also important to pay close attention to data quality. An error in passport details, dates, the employer’s name, the period of work, or the conditions of the vacancy may lead not only to a delay, but to the need to correct the document after several weeks of waiting.
Step By Step: How To Get A Seasonal Work Invitation To Poland
1. Check Whether The Job Really Qualifies As Seasonal
First, you need to determine whether the vacancy falls within the categories of activity for which a seasonal permit may actually be issued. If it does not, zaświadczenie will not be the right tool, and another path to legal employment will have to be found.
2. Agree On The Working Conditions Before Filing
Before sending any documents, it is worth agreeing not only on the salary, but also on accommodation, transport, meals, schedule, overtime, work clothing, and everything that will be stated in the contract. It is often at this stage that a “good vacancy” turns out to involve hidden costs that reduce actual earnings.
3. Provide The Employer With Data And Copies Of Documents
After the terms have been agreed, the worker provides the employer with passport details and any other required documents. At this stage, it is worth checking once again that all details match the documents exactly, without mistakes or informal abbreviations.
4. The Employer Submits The Application To The PUP
It is the employer who applies to the district labor office and launches the procedure. After reviewing the application, the starosta either enters it into the register or refuses to issue the permit if the conditions are not met.
5. Obtain Zaświadczenie
If the case is handled under the “overseas” procedure, once the application is entered into the register, the employer receives zaświadczenie. This is the document then passed on to the worker for the visa procedure or to confirm the purpose of entry under a visa-free regime.
6. Enter Poland And Formalize The Start Of Work
After arrival in Poland, the employer must confirm the worker’s arrival through the system, provide a copy of the document confirming lawful entry and stay, and also provide information on accommodation if required by the procedure. This is the point at which the final part of the seasonal work process begins.
7. Obtain The Final Zezwolenie Typu S
Once the worker’s arrival has been confirmed and the formalities completed, the authority issues the type S seasonal work permit. This is the final legal basis for seasonal employment within this procedure.
How Long Does The Process Take
In the overseas procedure, the starosta enters the application into the register within 7 business days from the date a complete set of documents is submitted, and if additional fact-finding is required, the period may be extended to 30 days. In practice, everything depends on the district, the quality of the document package, and whether any requests for corrections arise.
That is why you should not plan your trip, resign from your current job, or take other important steps as though the document will “definitely be ready within a week.” The law sets basic time frames, but the real process may take longer if the file is incomplete or the authority conducts an additional review.
Can You Work Under A Visa-Free Regime With Zaświadczenie
Yes, if the person’s nationality gives them the right to visa-free entry, zaświadczenie may serve as proof of the purpose of entry for seasonal work. But a visa-free regime does not отменить the general rules regarding the period of lawful stay. Therefore, before traveling, you need to understand clearly not only that “entry is possible,” but also exactly how much time for stay and work will actually be available in your specific situation.
This is exactly where many people make mistakes: they hear that zaświadczenie “works for visa-free entry” and treat it as a universal solution without limitations. In reality, the visa-free route is not suitable for every situation, and it should always be assessed separately in terms of time limits, logistics, and the risks of further legalization in Poland.
Typical Reasons For Refusal Or Problems
- The vacancy does not actually fall within the legally recognized seasonal categories of activity.
- There are errors or inconsistencies in the application or supporting documents.
- The employer submitted an incomplete package or failed to supplement it in time.
- The actual working conditions do not match what was declared in the documents.
- There are issues with the worker’s status, entry, or lawful stay.
- The employer has violations that may affect the authority’s assessment of the case.
Does The Worker Have To Pay For Zaświadczenie
The mere existence of a state fee does not mean that the worker must “buy” a seasonal work invitation. In practice, it is essential to distinguish between the official procedural fee and any unofficial charges that intermediaries or dishonest employers sometimes try to impose. If a person is paying, they must clearly understand what exactly the payment is for: the government fee, translations, logistics, or separate advisory assistance.
When Is A Seasonal Work Invitation Truly A Good Solution
Zaświadczenie makes sense when the job is genuinely seasonal, the employer is ready to complete the procedure through to the end, and the worker is either entering Poland specifically for seasonal work or has a lawful scenario that allows the process to be completed. It is a useful instrument, but only when used for its intended purpose.
If, however, the employer offers a seasonal route for a non-seasonal vacancy, promises that you can “just enter and figure it out later,” or cannot clearly explain what will happen after entry, then this is no longer about safe legalization, but about risky improvisation.
