Foreign persons moving to Poland for a period longer than three months are legally required to apply for a temporary residence permit which grants them the right of living here. The temporary residence permit in Poland can be issued for a variety of reasons, which can be related to employment in this country, studies, research, starting a business and others; you can find out more information on the reasons for which one can obtain a temporary residence permit from our immigration lawyer in Poland.
We can also help you apply for a Poland permanent residence.
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When should a foreigner apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland?
As mentioned above, a foreigner must apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland if the duration of the stay is longer than 90 days. If the person will stay less than 90 days in this country, he or she is not required to complete any legal actions.
However, in the case in which the foreigner will live here for more than 90 days, the person should apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland no later than the last day of his or her legal stay in this country. As a general rule, the applicant must complete the application in person, but other options are available as well (by post).
You should note that the permanent residence permit in Poland comes with other requirements.
Our lawyers are at your service if you are interested in Polish citizenship by naturalization. Please bear in mind that you have lived here for at least 3 years based on a permanent residence permit in order to qualify for a passport. Contact us for details on the other information you need to know for a correct application.
What are the documents required for the issuance of a temporary residence permit in Poland in 2023?
The documents necessary for obtaining a temporary residence permit in this country will vary based on the reasons for which the person makes the application (family reunification programs, employment purposes or studies). A set of documents will be common for all applications regardless of the reasons for which the person is moving to Poland, such as:
• provide a complete application form and two copies of the application (a standard form that is used for the issuance of the temporary residence permit in Poland);
• four photos, with a size of 35 mm x 45 mm and which must respect specific standards as per the Poland immigration law;
• a valid travel document (identity document or passport);
• a document that attests the person’s residential address in Poland;
• proof on the fact that the person has sufficient financial resources to live in Poland.
Provided that the 2023 temporary residence permit in Poland is requested for employment purposes, the application should contain papers attesting the qualification of the applicant for a specific type of work. Additional papers may be requested and our immigration lawyer in Poland can offer in-depth legal assistance on this matter.
If you want to apply for permanent residency in Poland, we are at your disposal. The most secure method is naturalization, however this involves lengthy waiting periods. Contact us for personalized advice and support in moving here permanently alone or with your family if you wish to obtain a residence permit.
We can also advise on how you can obtain Polish citizenship.
What are the main reasons for obtaining a temporary residence permit in Poland in 2023?
As we presented above, the Poland immigration law provides a wide range of reasons for which foreigners can apply for a temporary residence permit. Currently, the Polish legislation allows foreigners to apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland in 2023 based on the legal grounds mentioned in the list below:
• starting a work contract in Poland or working as a highly-skilled employee;
• opening a business in Poland as a foreign investor or working here as a representative of a foreign company;
• enrolling in tertiary studies in Poland or participating in academic research;
• moving to Poland for a short period of time with the purpose of visiting family members;
• being a refugee or being a minor child of a foreigner living in Poland.
How many persons obtained a temporary residence permit in Poland?
The number of persons who have obtained a temporary residence permit in Poland has been increasing over the years, as the country became an attractive destination for foreigners seeking employment. Although the country has received applications from citizens living in Russia, China, India, Moldova and others, the largest share is represented by applications of Ukrainian citizens. The data on temporary residence permits shows the following:
• in 2019, Poland issued 49,636 temporary residence permits to citizens of Ukraine;
• the next countries, based on citizenship, were India, with 2,532 temporary residence permits, Belarus, with 1,990 permits, Georgia, with 1,719 permits, and Russia, with 1,337 permits;
• in 2018, the temporary residence permit in Poland was issued to 183,718 persons, as presented by the official data of the Migration Department;
• in 2020, the largest number of foreigners who have obtained a temporary residence permit in Poland lives in the Mazovia Region (64,251 temporary residence permits);
• the 2nd most important region is the Voivode of Lesser Poland (accounting for 33,230 temporary residence permits).
Poland is one of the cheapest nations in the EU. Living there could therefore be among the best advantages. The market pricing is still less expensive than what you would find in most European nations whether you choose to rent or buy real estate. Moving to Poland won’t provide any housing issues. Even in large cities like Warsaw, you can find affordable housing. Foreigners who wish to dwell in Poland permanently must either have held a long-stay visa (for job, study, or family reunification) for at least 5 years, or they must have been married to a Polish national for at least 3 years.
We invite persons moving to Poland to address our lawyer for more details on the issuance of the temporary residence permit. You can rely on the legal assistance provided by our lawyer, who can present other aspects referring to the Poland migration law that can be of interest for persons relocating here on a short-term or long-term basis.
Get in touch with us if you’re interested in Polish citizenship. We are available to provide you with specialized guidance on how to efficiently obtain a passport for Poland. Please keep in mind that in order to be eligible for a passport, you must have resided here for at least three years based on a permanent residence permit. For more information on what else you need to know to submit a valid application, get in touch with us.