Residence cards

A residence card is the document a foreign national receives after a positive decision on a temporary residence, permanent residence or EU long-term resident permit. The card itself does not grant the right of residence – it confirms it. The right comes from the voivode's decision, and the card is its physical proof: an identity document that, together with a passport, allows travel across the Schengen area.

A type A work permit legalises work for a specific employer. A residence card follows from a residence permit and legalises the stay itself. These are two separate tracks that usually run in parallel. The exception is the single permit for temporary residence and work, where one decision of the voivode covers both at once.

It is the most common route for non-EU workers employed by a Polish company. In one decision the voivode rules on both the right of residence and the right to work for the indicated employer, in the indicated position and at the indicated salary. After the decision the worker receives a residence card with an annotation on labour market access.

The application for a temporary residence permit is filed in person by the foreign national, because fingerprints are taken at the office. The employer, however, provides a key part of the documentation: annex no. 1 with the terms of employment, company registration data and details of the position. We compile both sides of the file, book the appointment and prepare the worker for the visit.

In practice from several months to over a year – it depends on the workload of the specific voivodeship office. Producing the card itself after a positive decision usually takes a few weeks. Throughout the proceedings the stay remains legal, provided the application was filed on time and the voivode placed a stamp in the passport.

The voivode's stamp confirms that the application was filed on time and without formal defects, and that the stay in Poland remains legal until the decision is issued. It allows work for the employer named in the application, but it does not permit free travel across the Schengen area or re-entry to Poland after leaving without a valid visa.

A temporary residence permit is granted for a maximum of 3 years, and the card is valid for the period stated in the decision. A permanent residence card is issued for 10 years, although the right of residence itself is indefinite – only the document is replaced.

At the latest on the last day of legal stay, but in practice we recommend starting 2–3 months earlier. An application filed late means an illegal stay and the need to leave Poland. We keep a calendar of card, visa and permit expiry dates and give advance notice.

Changing the employer or the terms of employment during proceedings for a single permit requires an update to the application and usually a new annex no. 1 from the new employer. After the card is issued, a change of employer must be reported and most often requires a new decision. We analyse every such case before the worker starts.

The cost consists of the stamp duty on the temporary residence application, the fee for issuing the card itself, any stamp duty on the power of attorney and the cost of sworn translations. We verify official rates for each case, and our own fee is agreed upfront as a flat rate per worker.

The loss or damage must be reported without delay to the voivode who issued the document, together with an application for a subsequent card. A higher fee applies when the replacement is due to the holder's fault. We handle such cases alongside the rest of the worker's documentation.

Yes. We can handle residence legalisation only, for people already employed by your company or sourced by you. In that case we are responsible for the documentation, deadlines and contact with the office, and you for the terms of employment.