A work declaration in Poland is one of the best-known documents among foreigners planning employment. It is often referred to simply as a “job invitation,” although that is not entirely accurate from a legal standpoint. Under Polish law, the correct term is oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi — a simplified procedure that allows a foreign national to work without a separate work permit, provided the required conditions are met.
At first glance, everything seems simple: find an employer, obtain the document, apply for a visa or enter Poland based on a status that allows entry, and start working. But this is exactly the stage where people most often make mistakes. Some confuse the oświadczenie with a voivodeship work permit, some fail to verify the employer, some rely on outdated rules about “corridors” or old fees, and some do not even realize that in 2026 the procedure is already operating under updated rules. That is why this topic should not be explained superficially, but step by step — from who is eligible for an oświadczenie to how to verify the document before leaving for Poland.
Below, we will go through everything that really matters: what an oświadczenie is, who can obtain it, how it works in 2026, how much it costs, how long it is valid, how to verify an employer, and what to do if the document is canceled or if you want to change jobs.
What a Work Declaration Is and What It Really Means
An oświadczenie is a simplified form of legalizing a foreign national’s employment in Poland. The employer does not obtain a separate standard work permit from the voivode, but instead files a declaration of entrusting work to a foreign national with the district labor office. If the starosta enters it into the register, the foreign national may work without the obligation to obtain a zezwolenie na pracę, but only under the conditions explicitly stated in that oświadczenie. This is important: the document does not give “free access to the labor market.” It is tied to a specific employer, position, working conditions, and time period.
One clear advantage of this procedure is that it is simpler than a standard work permit. That is why the oświadczenie has for years been one of the most popular ways to begin working legally in Poland. But “simpler” does not mean the documents can be treated carelessly. An error in the data, a fake employer, a misunderstanding of the time limits or entry rules — and the entire plan can fall apart either before departure or after arrival in Poland.
Who Can Obtain an Oświadczenie in 2026
This is one of the most important points, and it has changed significantly in recent years. Under the current rules, the simplified oświadczenie procedure applies to citizens of four countries: Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine. These countries are explicitly listed in official information from the ministry and employment services, and the period of work on the basis of this document may be up to 24 months. At the same time, work based on an oświadczenie does not apply to seasonal employment — a separate procedure exists for that.
There is an important nuance here for Ukrainians. In 2026, it is not correct to say automatically that “all Ukrainians need an oświadczenie.” If a Ukrainian citizen is staying in Poland under conditions that allow employment to be legalized through a powiadomienie, then in many cases that is the primary path. Moreover, for persons under temporary protection in Poland, employment is legalized specifically through notification, not through an oświadczenie or a zezwolenie. Therefore, for Ukrainians, you must always first look at the basis of stay and only then determine which employment document is appropriate.
How Long an Oświadczenie Is Valid
Under the current rules, an employer may file an oświadczenie for a period of up to 24 months. There is also no longer any requirement to take breaks between such documents: if one period of work ends, the employer may immediately file a new oświadczenie for the same worker after the previous one expires. Old discussions about a mandatory “corridor” between declarations no longer reflect the current rules.
However, two things must be clearly distinguished here: the validity period of the document itself and the period of your lawful stay in Poland. An oświadczenie by itself does not resolve your residence status. It provides the basis for employment, but the person must also have a lawful basis of stay that allows them to work in Poland. That is why the validity of the oświadczenie does not automatically equal the time during which you may remain continuously in the country.
Can You Get a Visa Based on an Oświadczenie
Yes. To work on the basis of an oświadczenie, documents are submitted for a national type D visa. The official website of the Polish consular authority in Ukraine explicitly states that for this purpose, the original and a copy of the oświadczenie registered with the Urząd Pracy and entered into the relevant register must be submitted. A visa is issued only to the person named in the document. Consular practice also generally assumes that a visa based on such a document is usually considered when the planned period of work is at least 91 days.
It is important here not to confuse the validity period of the visa with the validity period of the oświadczenie itself. The document may be valid for longer, but the visa is always assessed separately within the visa procedure. That is why the issue cannot be reduced to the phrase “if you have an oświadczenie, you will automatically get a visa for the entire period.” The visa decision is made separately, and the document package must be complete and logically consistent.
What the Procedure for Obtaining an Oświadczenie Looks Like
From the worker’s perspective, the process may seem simple, but in fact the main burden lies with the employer. It is the employer who files the oświadczenie for registration, states all the essential employment conditions, and bears responsibility for the correctness of the procedure. The worker cannot independently “register an oświadczenie” for themselves without a real employer.
1. Finding a Real Job Offer and Agreeing on the Terms
Before talking about the document, the actual job must be agreed upon: position, location, type of contract, pay, start date, accommodation, transportation, and possible overtime. None of this is a minor detail. If you have not agreed on the basic terms before the procedure begins, there is a high chance that once you are in Poland, you will face unpleasant surprises.
2. Sending Your Data to the Employer
The employer needs the foreign national’s data, including scans of the completed pages of a valid travel document. If the foreign national is not yet in Poland, the passport pages with personal data are submitted. In 2026, the system is largely digital, so documents are often exchanged in electronic format.
3. Filing the Oświadczenie Through praca.gov.pl
The filing is done electronically by the employer. The document includes, among other things, the employer’s data, the foreign national’s data, the job start date, the employment period, the type of contract, gross remuneration, the PKD subclass, the profession, and the place where the work will be performed. Attachments and payment are submitted together with the application.
4. Entry Into the Oświadczenie Register
If there are no grounds for refusal, the starosta enters the oświadczenie into the register. Only after that does the document become a legal basis for working under the specified conditions without a separate work permit. The Warsaw labor office also explicitly states that a foreign national may lawfully begin work only after the employer receives confirmation that the oświadczenie has been entered into the register.
5. Sending the Document to the Worker
After registration, the employer receives the electronic document through the praca.gov.pl portal and must also send it to the foreign national. It is this electronic document that is then used in the visa procedure or as confirmation of the employment terms for further formalities in Poland.
How Much an Oświadczenie Costs in 2026
Under the current rules, an oświadczenie is filed with a fee of 400 PLN. This is one of the most important changes, because many older articles still mention the outdated amount of 100 PLN. If you see material that refers to a different amount without specifying the date of the change, that is a serious sign that the content may be outdated.
For the worker, the key issue is not only “how much it costs,” but also who exactly is asking for money and for what. If it is the official fee within the procedure, that is one thing. But if someone is selling you a “ready-made oświadczenie” without real employment or asking you to pay separately just for the fact that the document is being opened, that is already a high-risk situation. Formally, everything should go through a real employer and a real job vacancy, not through trading in paperwork.
How Long the Process Takes
According to official information, the processing time for a complete oświadczenie is 7 business days in cases that do not require additional clarification. If explanatory proceedings are needed, it may take up to 30 days, and in complicated cases up to 2 months. That is why promises like “we will do it in two days” look highly questionable. You should also take into account the time needed to transfer documents, prepare the visa package, and secure an appointment for submission.
What Must Be Included in the Oświadczenie
All key details in the document must match: the employer, the foreign national, the work start date, the period of work, the position or profession, the place of work, the type of contract, and the amount of gross remuneration. Consular guidance also explicitly states that the oświadczenie must be on the official form and contain the employer’s details, the signature of the responsible person, the worker’s personal data, and the purpose and duration of the trip. If even one element conflicts with the other documents, the entire process may fail.
How to Check an Oświadczenie Before Departure
Checking the document is not a formality, but a mandatory step. Broadly speaking, this should be divided into three levels: checking your own data, checking the employer, and checking the logic of the employment itself.
Check Your Personal Data
Your first name, last name, passport number, date of birth, and citizenship must all match exactly, character by character. Do not reassure yourself with the thought that “nobody will notice one wrong letter.” It may be noticed at the consulate, at the border, or later in Poland during further formalities.
Check the Employment Terms
Compare the salary, city, position, start and end dates with what you originally agreed upon. Pay particular attention to the salary: the employer must comply with the minimum remuneration requirements. The Warsaw labor office explicitly states that the pay for a foreign national must not be lower than the current minimum salary or minimum hourly wage. As of January 1, 2026, this is 4,806 PLN gross per month and 31.40 PLN gross per hour.
Check the Employer Themselves
If you are being hired through an agency, it must be a real entity, not something that exists only in a messenger app. If it is a regular employer or entrepreneur, it is worth checking whether they are actually registered, whether they are in liquidation, and whether they genuinely conduct business. This step often weeds out fake schemes even before the visa application stage.
Can the Employer Change the Terms After Arrival
Not at will. The work must be performed under the conditions stated in the oświadczenie entered in the register. The general rule is that a change of employer or a change in material employment conditions usually requires filing a new oświadczenie and obtaining a new entry in the register. There are some exceptions, such as changing the job title without changing the scope of duties or increasing employment to full-time, but overall the principle remains strict: the document must match the actual job.
What Obligations the Employer Has After the Oświadczenie Is Registered
After the oświadczenie is entered into the register, the employer does not simply “wait for the worker.” They have clear obligations. In particular, they must notify the starosta that the foreign national has started work within 7 days from the job start date, and they must notify the authority if the worker does not begin work within 14 days from that stated date. In addition, before the actual assignment of work, they must submit a copy of the contract with the foreign national to the labor office. Failure to comply with these rules may result in fines.
Can You Change Employers With an Oświadczenie
In most cases, only by obtaining a new oświadczenie or another proper work authorization document. Simply having a valid visa does not mean you may go and work for any other company. If the employer changes, as a rule, the document legalizing the work must also change. This is exactly where people often make mistakes: they think that “the main thing is to have a visa,” and everything else does not matter. In reality, in Poland the legality of employment is assessed not only based on the visa, but also on whether the actual work corresponds to the specific document.
What to Do if the Oświadczenie Is Expiring but the Employer Wants to Continue Working With You
There are several possible scenarios here. If you continue working for the same employer, sometimes a new oświadczenie is enough, since breaks between them are no longer required. But if the employer wants to move you to a longer-term and more stable format, you may need a zezwolenie na pracę or to apply for a residence card based on employment. There is also an important rule that applies when a foreign national has worked for at least 3 months under an oświadczenie on the basis of an umowa o pracę, and before the document expires, the employer submits an application for a work permit for the same position without formal deficiencies. In that case, the work under conditions no worse than before is considered legal until a decision is issued. However, this does not mean an automatic extension of the right to stay — that issue must be assessed separately.
Can You “Buy an Oświadczenie”
There are still offers on the market to “sell a ready-made job invitation.” Formally, this may seem attractive: a person hopes to get the document quickly, obtain a visa, and then find another job after arrival. But from both a legal and practical perspective, this is one of the riskiest schemes. If the document is arranged merely for appearance, without any real intention to employ the person, the authority may view it as a fictitious filing. And if the employer is unreliable or the document is fake, you may lose your money, your time, and your chance of a normal departure.
Another problem is that the document’s validity period runs out regardless of whether you are actually working. That means that even if someone entered Poland on the basis of a “bought” document, then looked for a real job, canceled the old oświadczenie, and waited for a new one, all that time would eat into the available period of legal work. That is why the idea of “first get any oświadczenie, then figure it out later” often turns out to be a very costly mistake in practice.
Can an Oświadczenie Be Electronic
Yes. In 2026, the procedure is fully electronic, and oświadczenia entered into the register are sent to the employer electronically through praca.gov.pl. The same electronic document is then sent to the foreign national. In other words, today there is no need to think in terms of “only a paper original with a wet stamp.” At the same time, for practical steps related to a visa application or travel, it is always worth following the current requirements of the specific procedure and having the document in the form that is most convenient for use.
When Entry of an Oświadczenie Into the Register May Be Refused
The starosta may do more than simply “delay” the case — they may leave the oświadczenie unexamined or refuse to enter it into the register. In particular, this may happen if the formal conditions are not met, if the circumstances indicate that the document was filed for appearance only, or if the employer fails to fulfill obligations related to conducting business or assigning work to other persons. In other words, the authorities do not check only the form itself, but also the good faith of the entire arrangement.
When a New Oświadczenie Is Not Required
There are situations where a new document is formally not required. For example, when the employer’s name, address, or legal form changes, when an enterprise is transferred to another employer, when working time is increased to full-time, or when the job title changes without changing the scope of duties. However, these exceptions should not be interpreted too broadly: if the key employment conditions actually change, it is better to verify immediately whether a new oświadczenie is required.
What to Do if the Oświadczenie Is Canceled or the Job Falls Through
The main thing here is not to panic and not to act blindly. If the document is no longer effective, you need to look separately at two issues: what happens to your employment and what happens to your stay. In some situations, it is possible to obtain a new oświadczenie or another work document without needing to reissue the visa you already have, but this depends on the specific basis of stay, its validity period, and the new employer. The most dangerous mistake is to assume that if the visa in your passport is still valid, you can work anywhere. No: the legality of work and the legality of stay are not the same thing.
