Residence card in Poland
Step-by-step support: legal check, documents, submission, control — until your residence card is in hand.
We Help You Obtain a Temporary Residence Card
Work-Based Residence Card
A residence card based on employment allows you to legally work in Poland and opens the path to Polish citizenship. It is a reliable way to settle in the country, work officially, and enjoy all social benefits, including access to healthcare and the pension system.
- Legal employment and official work status without the risk of deportation.
- Opportunity to apply for permanent residence in Poland and eventually citizenship.
- Access to healthcare and social guarantees equal to Polish citizens.
- Possibility to reunite with family and apply for TRC cards for family members.
- Simplified bank account opening and access to favorable credit offers.
Residence Card for Running a Business
A residence card based on business activity allows you to legally reside and grow your own company in Poland. It’s the optimal choice for entrepreneurs looking to access the European market, gain stability, and take advantage of government support programs. Having a temporary residence permit in Poland lets you manage a company, invest in the country’s economy, and benefit from the same social advantages as citizens.
- Legally run a business in Poland with no restrictions on turnover or number of clients.
- Opportunity to obtain permanent residence in Poland and citizenship through business activity.
- Access to national grant and subsidy programs for entrepreneurs.
- Ability to hire employees under simplified procedures.
- Access to banking services, opening accounts, and attracting investment with ease.
Residence Card for Students
A residence card based on education allows you to legally stay in Poland throughout the entire period of your studies at a university. It gives you the right to work without a separate permit, build your career while still studying, and enjoy all the social benefits available to Polish citizens.
- Legal stay in Poland during the entire study period with no restrictions on travel in and out.
- Opportunity to work officially without needing a separate work permit.
- Simplified extension of your stay after graduation — switch to a work-based residence card or permanent residence.
- Access to health insurance, public services, and student discounts.
- Ability to combine studies with internships and start building a professional career in Poland.
Residence Card for IT Specialists
The Blue Card residence permit is designed for highly qualified professionals in IT and other advanced industries. It allows you to legally work in Poland based on an employment contract, enjoy the rights of a resident, and benefit from a fast-track process for obtaining permanent residence and EU citizenship.
- Legal employment in your field with minimal bureaucracy.
- Freedom to change employers or job positions without needing a new visa.
- Shortened path to permanent residence and EU citizenship.
- Access to all social benefits, health insurance, and banking services available to Polish citizens.
- Possibility to reunite with family members and officially employ them under simplified procedures.
Residence Card for Family Reunification
A temporary residence permit for family members allows relatives of a foreigner legally staying in Poland to join them on a legal basis. This type of residence card in Poland gives the right to live, work, or study in Poland without the need for a separate work visa. It also provides full access to healthcare and social benefits, equal to those enjoyed by Polish citizens.
- Legal stay in Poland with your close family without the need for additional permits.
- The right to official employment without restrictions on job types.
- Free access to medical care and social benefits at the level of Polish citizens.
- Access to education for both children and adults in Polish institutions.
- Simplified procedure for obtaining permanent residence in Poland for the entire family.
Residence Card Based on Polish Origin
A residence card in Poland based on Polish origin allows individuals with confirmed Polish ancestry to legally live, work, and study in Poland. It simplifies the path to permanent residence in Poland and citizenship, offering broad access to rights and social benefits equal to those available to Polish citizens.
- Legal stay and employment in Poland without restrictions.
- Simplified procedure for obtaining permanent residence and Polish citizenship.
- Access to free medical care, education, and social support programs.
- The right to participate in governmental and municipal diaspora support initiatives.
- Opportunity to reunite with family members under simplified conditions.
Karta Stałego Pobytu
After a few years with a temporary residence permit in Poland, you can apply for permanent residence.
- Unlimited stay
- Full access to social benefits
- Status retained even when changing jobs
Karta Rezydenta UE
Authorization for permanent residence in Poland with EU-level rights.
- Ability to work across EU countries
- Simple document renewal
- Advantageous step towards Polish citizenship
Polish Citizenship
The final stage — a Polish passport, full rights, and freedom to travel.
- Visa-free access to the EU and USA
- Full access to social services
- Status retained even when changing jobs
STEPS TO OBTAIN A PERMANENT RESIDENCE CARD
- Analysis of your current residence status in Poland;
- Preparation of an individual document package and submission plan (we do not recommend sending documents by post!);
- Providing information on expected timelines: submission date, decision, and receiving the plastic card.
- Our team member signs an official bilateral agreement with you clearly outlining the terms of cooperation.
- Completing applications in accordance with current requirements and standards;
- Booking an appointment for in-person submission;
- Collecting required documents based on the type of application;
- Communication with the employer;
- Final verification of the document package before submission.
- Accompanying the client during the document submission (within the Lower Silesian Voivodeship);
- Sending the document package across Poland with detailed instructions for filling and submitting.
- Communication with the Voivodeship Office (info line, registry);
- Monitoring the progress of the case in the electronic system;
- Preparation and submission of additional documents if needed (e.g. change of personal data, replies to inspector requests, etc.);
- Case acceleration by submitting additional documents in accordance with Polish law.
- Final consultation on next steps;
- Booking an appointment to collect the residence card.
With VisaV.pl Experts:
- Positive decision in 99% of our clients' cases
- Residence card obtained 2 months faster
- Minimal effort from you — we prepare, translate, and submit all documents
- Documents reviewed by a lawyer before submission
- Interview preparation at the Voivodeship Office — detailed guides, question & answer samples
- We communicate with the Voivodeship Office on your behalf
- We handle all communication with the authorities
- Possibility to submit documents online with our expert directly from the office — no lines or trips
- Full transparency and support at every step of the process
Doing It Yourself:
- 50/50 chance of rejection
- Decision wait time — up to 12 months or more
- No Polish knowledge — communication with the office becomes stressful
- Submitting documents blindly — no one confirms if everything is correct
- Difficulty at the interview — no understanding of the process
- You call, write, and visit — wasting time and nerves
- Searching for document examples online — unsure if they're up-to-date
- Long queues and mandatory in-person visits — wastes your day
- You’re alone with bureaucracy and uncertainty
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We work quickly without losing quality, and guarantee 100% compliance with legal requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
To obtain a residence card, you need to have a legal basis for staying: work, studies, marriage, business, etc. You gather the required documents, submit an application to the voivodeship office, and wait for the decision.
The cost depends on the basis for obtaining the card. Based on origin: 640 PLN + 100 PLN for the production of the card (for children under 16 — 50 PLN). For holders of the Pole’s Card: no government fees are charged. Translation services, apostille, or legal assistance are paid separately.
On average — from 3 to 8 months, depending on the voivodeship. During the entire waiting period, you are allowed to stay in Poland legally.
A temporary residence card cannot be extended. After the current card expires, you need to submit a new set of documents “from scratch.” You can apply no earlier than 6 months before the card’s expiration date and no later than the last day of your legal stay in Poland.
A residence card based on Polish origin is issued to individuals of confirmed Polish descent, while a residence card based on marriage is granted to those married to a Polish citizen. Both options can lead to obtaining a permanent residence card.
Yes, you can leave Poland, but doing so may complicate the procedure or even lead to a refusal if your trip is too long or not justified. It is recommended to get a stamp in your passport confirming the submission of your application, and to carry documents proving your legal stay in Poland. Always consult a lawyer before traveling.
Ukrainians who are legally residing in Poland can apply for a residence card based on employment, studies, marriage, or for humanitarian reasons (e.g., Ukrainian refugees).
If the parents have a temporary or permanent residence permit, they can apply for a child’s residence card from birth or after moving to Poland. If the parents have not yet received a decision, the documents can be submitted together with the child’s. In this case, the parents receive the decision first, followed by the child.
You need to have proof of company registration, an extract from CEIDG or KRS, financial statements, and a certificate of stable income.
Yes. If you are a student at a Polish university, a student residence card allows you to legally live and work during your studies.
Yes, you can. However, you must notify the Voivodeship Office (Urząd) about the change of employer and submit new documents. This applies to residence cards based on employment. From the date of dismissal, you have up to 15 days to notify the Voivodeship Office. After that, you have another 30 days to submit documents from the new employer.
It depends on the type of card — temporary, permanent, or long-term — as the requirements may vary. For example, employment is not required for residence cards based on marriage, studies, or Polish origin. However, to obtain a card based on employment, you must have a valid employment contract with an employer.
