Avisa Polska - Legalization of stay in Poland

15/03/2026

🇵🇱 Understanding Immigration Laws in Poland — What Every Foreigner Should Know

Poland has become one of the most popular destinations in Europe for work, study, and resettlement — especially for citizens of Nepal, Ukraine, India, and other non-EU countries. But navigating Polish immigration law can be complex, and many people find themselves in difficult situations simply due to a lack of awareness.

Here are some key things every foreigner in Poland should understand:

📌 1. Your Visa Does Not Always Mean You Can Stay
Having a visa to enter Poland or the Schengen Area does not automatically give you the right to live or work there long-term. Once your visa expires, you must either leave or have a valid residence permit.

📌 2. The Schengen 90/180 Rule
Non-EU citizens with a Schengen visa can only stay in the Schengen Area for a maximum of 90 days within any 180-day period. Overstaying — even by a single day — can result in a return order and a re-entry ban.

📌 3. Obligation to Return (Zobowiązanie do Powrotu)
If Polish Border Guard authorities find that a foreigner is staying illegally, they can issue an official "Obligation to Return" decision. This means:
✅ You must leave Poland within 30 days
✅ You may be banned from re-entering the Schengen Area for up to 5 years
✅ Your data may be entered into the Schengen Information System (SIS)

📌 4. You Have the Right to Appeal
Any return decision can be appealed within 30 days. Legal aid organizations and immigration lawyers in Poland can help — and many offer free assistance to foreigners.

📌 5. Always Keep Your Documents Updated
Whether it's a work permit, temporary residence card, or student visa — always check your expiry dates and apply for renewals well in advance. Polish offices can have long processing times.

💡 If you or someone you know is facing immigration challenges in Poland, don't panic. Seek legal advice immediately. Time matters — especially when appeal deadlines are involved.

Knowledge is your strongest protection. Share this with anyone who might need it. 🙏

Avisa Polska - Legalisation of stay in Poland

avisapolska.com
Tel.: +48 605 236 901

If you are having a hard time with immigration process due to language barrier or simply do not have enough time to prepare the required documents and do necessary follow up. We are here to assist you with any immigration related matter.

05/03/2026

Important information for foreigners in Poland:

FROM 05/03/2026: RESIDENCE CARD APPLICATION FEES IN POLAND WILL NOT BE REFUNDED IF REFUSED

According to the new regulation, administrative fee (opłata skarbowa) that have already paid will not be refunded if the competent authority issues a decision to refuse or discontinue the processing of the application.

Fees affected include:

Temporary residence permit: from 85-440 PLN (depending on type)

Amendment of temporary residence & work permit: 220 PLN

Permanent residence permit: 640 PLN

EU long-term resident status: 640 PLN

Extension of visas:

• Schengen visa: ~30 EUR

• National visa: 406 PLN

Schengen visa issued at the border by Border Guards: 40-160 EUR depending on the case

Important note: This regulation only applies to applications submitted from 05/03/2026 onwards. Applications submitted before this date may still request a refund under the previous regulations.

AVISA POLSKA - Legalizacja pobytu w Polsce

🌐 avisapolska.com

📩 [email protected]

📞 605 236 901

16/02/2026

🚨 Mass inspections of foreigners are expanding in Poland. Working through an employment agency in Poland? The next inspection could be about YOU.

According to official information published 12 February 2026, enforcement actions by Straż Graniczna are not slowing down — inspections are continuing and are becoming more systematic across the country.

Recent enforcement actions by Straż Graniczna show a clear trend — inspections are intensifying and are now targeting entire employment chains: agencies, subcontractors, and end employers.

In one of the latest cases in Opole, officers detained 38 foreign workers:
— 32 citizens of the Philippines
— 6 citizens of Colombia

All were working in Poland in violation of labour and migration regulations. The workers were formally employed by an agency but delegated to a subcontracted company. During checks carried out by Śląski Oddział Straży Granicznej, it was confirmed that none of them had documents allowing legal employment in Poland.

📊 Real consequences from just this one case:
✔ 37 return decisions issued (mandatory departure)
✔ 30 days to leave Poland voluntarily
✔ 1-year Schengen entry ban
✔ Criminal proceedings initiated against part of the group
✔ Additional investigations launched against the employment agency and subcontractor

📅 Since the beginning of 2026, more than 300 return decisions have already been issued by the regional Border Guard unit alone.

❗ The key message is simple:
Today, risk is no longer limited to illegal work “without documents”.
Even working through an employment agency does NOT automatically mean you are legally protected.

⚖️ Inspections now verify:
— real place of work vs. contract
— delegation legality
— migration status vs. employment conditions
— employer and intermediary liability

🚨 The reality is changing:
Mass inspections are becoming systematic, and responsibility is spreading across the entire employment chain.

👩‍⚖️ ONE PLUS provides legal support for foreigners in Poland — including inspections, legalization strategy, appeals, and even deportation defense.
Over 11 years of hands-on experience working with Polish state authorities.

💬 Honest question:
Do you believe inspections will become even stricter in 2026 — or is this already the “new normal”?

📸 Straż Graniczna 12.02.2026 — in Poland.

11/01/2026

Important topic about brining family to Poland!

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"Hi Attorney, I would like to bring my family to Poland. How can I do it?"

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First, let’s clarify who is considered a family member under Polish law.

For immigration purposes, family members are:

1) a spouse;

2) minor children under 18 years old.

Parents, adult children, uncles, aunts, and other relatives are not considered family members for the purposes of the family reunification procedure.

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In practice, there are three main ways to bring family members to Poland.

1. The first option applies to foreigners who hold a specific legal status, such as an EU Blue Card, permanent residence, EU long-term residence, or any Temporary Residence Card (TRC) held for more than two years in Poland. In such cases, it is possible to apply for a special Temporary Residence Card called a family reunification TRC directly from Poland.

This is possible due to a "lex specialis" provision. In fact, it is the only TRC procedure that allows the application to be initiated in Poland while a person is staying abroad. The application is submitted to the Voivodeship Office (Wojewoda) on behalf of the family member, based on documents provided by them, including written consent to initiate the process.

If the application is successful, a decision is issued, and the family member applies for a national family reunification visa (type D, code 23). With this visa, they enter Poland already fully legalized. They may work without a work permit, open a business, and reside legally in Poland. The only remaining formality is a visit to the Voivodeship Office to collect the residence card (plastic TRC).

2. The second option is to obtain any type of visa for the family member, bring them to Poland, and then apply for the family reunification TRC directly in Poland. I usually recommend this option to my clients, as it is often faster in practice. The same eligibility requirements as in the first option must still be met. This option also grants full benefits, including exemption from the work permit requirement.

3. The third option applies when the requirements for the family reunification TRC are not met, most commonly because the applicant has not yet held a TRC for at least two years. In such cases, the family reunification procedure is not available.

The only solution then is to obtain a visa for the family member and apply for a Temporary Residence Card on the grounds of family life (other reasons). This is also the only available option for same-sex marriages or partnerships (it's also attaching to conubinate). This type of TRC is less advantageous than the family reunification TRC, as it does not grant exemption from the work permit requirement and is granted at the discretion of the Wojewoda (so in theory it may be rejected). However, in my practice, I have not encountered refusals where all formal requirements were met, such as having accommodation, a stable and regular income, and health insurance.

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In most cases, clients fall into the third category, which means obtaining a visa for family members and submitting the TRC application directly in Poland.

As for other relatives, such as parents or adult children, they are not considered family members for the purposes of the family reunification TRC. It is still possible to obtain a visa for them and apply for a TRC on other grounds. I handle such cases, including applications for parents. With sufficiently strong justification, these applications may succeed, but as a rule, the decision is entirely at the discretion of the Wojewoda.

The rationale (ratio legis) behind these regulations is clear. Many countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, have very large families. EU states aim to attract primarily the productive part of those societies that can contribute to economic growth. Allowing large numbers of elderly dependents or extended family members to relocate would significantly reduce the economic efficiency of migration.

A related issue concerns same-sex partnerships. While same-sex marriages are recognized in most EU countries, they cannot fully benefit from family reunification rights in Poland, which effectively limits their ability to reunite as families.

If you need assistance with the family reunification procedure, feel free to contact me.

AVISA POLSKA

If you are having a hard time with immigration process due to language barrier or simply do not have enough time to prepare the required documents and do necessary follow up. We are here to assist you with any immigration related matter.

25/12/2025

Authorities in Poland have uncovered a large-scale visa fraud scheme that allowed thousands of foreigners, including Indian nationals, to illegally obtain entry into Poland and the wider European Union, according to a report by tvp.info.

At least 11 members of an organised crime group are facing charges that could lead to up to eight years in prison. The investigation is being led by Poland’s Border Guard under the supervision of prosecutors in the north-central city of Bydgoszcz.

Investigators revealed that the crime ring set up fictitious companies online and then applied for official permits to employ foreign workers. As part of the scheme, the group submitted falsified documents claiming that hotels, farms and restaurants across Poland were seeking foreign employees, complete with fabricated job descriptions and hourly wages.

However, when questioned by investigators, representatives of these businesses denied any involvement, stating they had never provided such details or contacted foreign workers.

While the majority of applicants reportedly came from Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, visas were also issued to citizens of a wide range of countries in Asia and Africa. These included India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and the Philippines, alongside nationals from countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt and Ethiopia.

In total, Polish institutions processed more than 12,000 applications containing false information, which resulted in approximately 7,000 visas being issued by Polish consulates abroad.

The case has raised serious concerns about the misuse of employment-based visas and has implications for thousands of affected foreigners, including Indians, who entered the EU under fraudulent circumstances.

Portal informacyjny TVP Info to najnowsze informacje i wideo. Zawsze aktualne wiadomości z kraju i ze świata, transmisje on-line i relacje na żywo.

12/12/2025

✒️ Prezydent RP Karol Nawrocki podpisał Ustawę z dnia 21 listopada 2025 r. o zmianie ustawy o cudzoziemcach oraz niektórych innych ustaw, umożliwiającą cyfryzację procedur dotyczących legalizacji pobytu cudzoziemców.

ℹ️ Informacje na temat cyfryzacji procedur znajdują się na naszej stronie internetowej: https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/cyfryzacja-procedur-dotyczacych-legalizacji-pobytu-cudzoziemcow

Więcej informacji podamy na początku przyszłego roku. O dacie uruchomienia systemu informatycznego poinformujemy z odpowiednim wyprzedzeniem - ‼️ UWAGA ‼️ datą tą nie będzie 1 stycznia 2026 r.

W przyszłym roku planowane są istotne zmiany w składaniu wniosków o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce. Złożenie wniosków możliwe będzie wyłącznie elektronicznie, za pomocą dedykowanego portalu (Moduł Obsługi Spraw - MOS).

28/11/2025

NOWY PRZEPISE JUŻ NIE DŁUGO ‼️

W przyszłym roku planowane są istotne zmiany w składaniu wniosków o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce. Złożenie wniosków możliwe będzie wyłącznie elektronicznie, za pomocą dedykowanego portalu (Moduł Obsługi Spraw – MOS).

Ustawa umożliwiająca zmiany została uchwalona Parlament i oczekuje na podpis Prezydenta. O dacie uruchomienia systemu informatycznego do elektronicznego składania wniosków o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce poinformujemy z odpowiednim wyprzedzeniem. Uwaga! Nie będzie to 01.01.2026 r.

Jak będziesz mógł złożyć wniosek o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce?

Zgodnie z planowanymi zmianami w przepisach prawa, wniosek o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce (pobyt czasowy, stały i rezydenta długoterminowego UE) będziesz mógł złożyć wyłącznie w formie elektronicznej, za pomocą dedykowanego portalu (Moduł Obsługi Spraw – MOS), dostępnego poprzez przeglądarkę internetową. Nie będziesz musiał dokonywać rezerwacji terminu na złożenie wniosku ani stać w kolejkach - zrobisz to w dogodnym dla siebie czasie. Będziesz mógł także przerwać wypełnianie wniosku, zapisać wprowadzone dane i edytować ponownie.

Dostęp do systemu MOS będzie bezpłatny. Wniosek będziesz mógł złożyć samodzielnie, bez konieczności korzystania z odpłatnych usług pośredników. Jedyne koszty jakie poniesiesz to opłata skarbowa przy składaniu wniosku (w wysokości zależnej od rodzaju zezwolenia) oraz opłata za wydanie karty pobytu (100 zł).

Aby złożyć wniosek o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce będziesz musiał:

✅ założyć konto użytkownika w nowym systemie MOS (Moduł Obsługi Spraw); jeśli masz już konto w obecnie istniejącym systemie MOS, będziesz musiał utworzyć nowe konto;
✅ osobiście zalogować się do portalu MOS za pośrednictwem login.gov.pl i wypełnić właściwy formularz wniosku o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce;
✅ podpisać elektroniczne wniosek – konieczne będzie posiadanie profilu zaufanego, kwalifikowanego podpisu elektronicznego lub podpisu osobistego;
✅ dodać wymagane załączniki:
• aktualną fotografię w formacie cyfrowym;
• odwzorowanie cyfrowe wszystkich stron ważnego dokumentu podróży;
• potwierdzenie dokonania płatności (skan dokumentu lub elektroniczne potwierdzenie przelewu): opłaty w wysokości 100 zł za wydanie karty pobytu oraz opłaty skarbowej w za udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt);
• w przypadku ubiegania się o udzielenie zezwolenia na:
pobyt czasowy i pracę oraz tzw. Blue Card – załącznik podpisany przez pracodawcę;
pobyt czasowy w celu kształcenia się na studiach – załącznik podpisany przez jednostkę prowadzącą studia;
pobyt czasowy w celu odbycia stażu lub wolontariatu – załącznik podpisany przez organizatora stażu lub wolontariatu.

Podczas wypełniania wniosku będziesz musiał podać adres e-mail pracodawcy, jednostki prowadzącej studia albo organizatora stażu lub wolontariatu. Na ten adres wysłany zostanie odnośnik z częścią z właściwym załącznikiem do wniosku przeznaczonym do wypełnienia i podpisania przez ten podmiot. Będzie to konieczne do skutecznego złożenia wniosku.
Po poprawnym podpisaniu i wysłaniu wniosku będziesz miał możliwość zapisania go w formatach PDF i XML oraz otrzymania Urzędowego Poświadczenia Odbioru (UPO).
Co dalej?

Po weryfikacji i zatwierdzeniu wniosku przez pracownika urzędu wojewódzkiego będziesz mógł pobrać z systemu i wydrukować zaświadczenie o złożeniu wniosku o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce, które zastąpi dotychczasowy stempel w paszporcie.

Zostaniesz wezwany do urzędu wojewódzkiego, abyś złożył odciski palców oraz wzór podpisu, a w razie konieczności – uzupełnił informacje zawarte we wniosku lub dołączył dodatkowe dokumenty do wniosku.

Jeśli zostanie Ci wydana decyzja o udzieleniu zezwolenia na pobyt w Polsce, otrzymasz z urzędu wojewódzkiego informację o możliwości odbioru karty pobytu.

Więcej informacji podamy po podpisaniu ustawy przez Prezydenta.

NEW RULES COMING SOON ‼️

Significant changes to the process of applying for residence permits in Poland are planned for next year. Applications will be submitted exclusively electronically, through a dedicated portal (the Case Handling Module – MOS).

The act enabling these changes has been adopted by Parliament and is awaiting the President’s signature. We will inform you in advance about the date when the IT system for electronic submission of residence permit applications will be launched. Note: this will NOT be on 01.01.2026.

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How will you be able to submit an application for a residence permit in Poland?

According to the planned amendments to the law, applications for a residence permit in Poland (temporary residence, permanent residence, and EU long-term resident status) will be submitted only electronically, through a dedicated portal (Case Handling Module – MOS), available via a web browser.

You will not need to book an appointment or wait in queues — you will submit your application at a time convenient for you. You will also be able to pause filling out the application, save your progress, and resume editing later.

Access to the MOS system will be free of charge. You will be able to submit the application on your own, without the need to use paid intermediaries. The only costs you will incur are the stamp duty upon submission (the amount depends on the type of permit) and the fee for issuing the residence card (100 PLN).

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To submit an application for a residence permit in Poland, you will need to:

✅ Create a user account in the new MOS system (Case Handling Module).
If you already have an account in the current MOS system, you will need to create a new one.

✅ Log into the MOS portal personally through login.gov.pl and complete the appropriate application form.

✅ Electronically sign the application – you will need a trusted profile (Profil Zaufany), a qualified electronic signature, or an electronic ID signature.

✅ Attach the required documents:

a current photograph in digital format;

digital copies of all pages of your valid travel document;

proof of payment (a scanned document or electronic transfer confirmation) of:

the 100 PLN fee for issuing the residence card, and

the stamp duty for the residence permit;

for specific types of residence permits:

temporary residence and work or Blue Card – a form signed by the employer;

temporary residence for studies – a form signed by the educational institution;

temporary residence for internships or volunteering – a form signed by the internship or volunteer organization.

During the application process, you will need to provide the email address of your employer, educational institution, or internship/volunteer organizer. A link will be sent to that address containing the required attachment that must be completed and signed by that entity. This will be necessary for your application to be accepted.

After correctly signing and submitting the application, you will be able to save it in PDF and XML formats and receive an Official Receipt Confirmation (UPO).

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What happens next?

After your application is reviewed and approved by a voivodeship office worker, you will be able to download and print a confirmation of application submission, which will replace the previous passport stamp.

You will be summoned to the voivodeship office to provide fingerprints and a signature specimen, and if necessary, to supplement information or submit additional documents.

If your residence permit is granted, you will receive information from the voivodeship office about the possibility of collecting your residence card.

More information will be provided once the act is signed by the President.

🔆 AVISA.POLSKA

24/10/2025

IMMIGRANTS WORKING IN POLAND:

Many people come to Poland looking for work and a better life — but unfortunately, many fall victim to labor and immigration scams run by dishonest companies and agencies. It’s important to understand how legal employment works here and what your rights are!

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🟢 Types of Employment Contracts in Poland

There are two main types of contracts used in the country:

✅ Umowa o pracę – this is the real employment contract, protected by the Polish Labor Code.
It guarantees all worker rights:

Registration with ZUS (social security, healthcare, and pension);

Paid vacation and sick leave;

Limited working hours (8h/day, 40h/week);

Protection against unfair dismissal;

Guaranteed minimum wage.

‼️ Umowa cywilnoprawna (such as Umowa zlecenie or Umowa o dzieło) – this is a civil contract, not an employment contract.
It does not provide the same rights: no vacation, no stability, and sometimes not even ZUS registration.
Dishonest companies use this type of contract to avoid legal obligations and exploit immigrants.

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🟢 Immigration Requirements — What Poland Demands

To work legally, the employer must handle all documentation.
The company is legally required to:

☑️ Apply for a work permit (zezwolenie na pracę) or a work declaration (oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy cudzoziemcowi);
☑️ Register the worker with ZUS;
☑️ Sign a valid contract before work begins;
☑️ Provide decent housing and food conditions (when included).

✖️No worker should start working before the work permit is issued.
If that happens, the job is illegal — and it’s the immigrant who risks penalties or even deportation.

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🟢 The Most Common Scams

✖️Agencies that promise jobs and “quick documents,” charge fees, but never submit papers to immigration.
✖️Fake or “partial” contracts (with invented names like “Umova Contractova,” “Umova Pratia”).
✖️Work in degrading conditions, 10–12 hours per day, poor housing, and no payment.
✖️Replacing ZUS with “private insurance” that doesn’t cover public healthcare or pension.
✖️Middlemen who hire you under one company but make you work for another — this is illegal.

These are forms of labor exploitation and have been reported to Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP) and the police.
Such companies can be fined and face criminal prosecution.

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🟢 Your Rights and How to Protect Yourself

✅ Always ask for:

A copy of your contract in Polish;

Proof of ZUS registration;

A copy of your work permit (zezwolenie / oświadczenie);

The company’s address;

The company’s NIP, REGON, or KRS number (to check online).

✅ Be suspicious if:

You are told to start before getting authorization;

The contract lacks the company’s signature;

They promise to “fix the papers later”;

Housing is unsafe or deducted directly from your salary;

You are paid in cash without proof.

📞 If you suspect fraud, report it to Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP), ZUS, or the police.
You can file a report anonymously and remain protected.

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🟢 Conclusion

Working in Poland is possible and legal — but you must be properly registered and protected.
Do not accept fake contracts, vague promises, or pressure to start “immediately.”
Remember: it’s the employer’s duty to handle the documents, not yours.
Stand up for your rights. Say no to exploitation.

🟢 Decent and legal work is everyone’s right🟢

avisapolska.com ready to get you true and reliable job.

If you are having a hard time with immigration process due to language barrier or simply do not have enough time to prepare the required documents and do necessary follow up. We are here to assist you with any immigration related matter.

22/07/2023