28/05/2025
🤔🛂 Starting from June 1, 2025, important changes to the Polish Act on Foreigners (Dz.U. 2024 pos. 769, 1222, 1688 and 2025 pos. 619 & 621) will come into effect. These changes significantly reduce the list of foreigners who can apply for a residence and work permit (Karta Pobytu).
👉 Who will NOT be able to apply for a work-based residence card?
If you are in Poland on a short-term visa, you will NOT be able to apply for a residence card for employment purposes if your visa was issued for:
• Tourism
• Visiting friends or family
• Participation in sports events
• Cultural or academic conferences
• Studies (including Bachelor’s, Master’s, PhD programs)
• Professional courses or training
• Transit or airport transit
• Medical treatment
• Participation in cultural exchange, volunteer work, or humanitarian missions
You will also be rejected if you:
• Are staying in Poland on a long-term visa or residence document issued by another Schengen country (unless using authorized mobility)
• Have entered Poland based on a visa-free entry permit
👉 Who can still apply?
You can still submit your application if your Polish visa was issued for:
• Running a business
• Work based on an employer’s declaration (oświadczenie)
• Seasonal work
• Other non-seasonal employment
• Scientific research or internships
• Family reunification
• Use of rights from the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka)
• Temporary protection or repatriation
• Humanitarian or state interest grounds
• Other officially approved purposes
👉 What does this mean in practice?
Many foreigners used to apply for residence cards even with tourist or student visas, or visas from other EU countries. Starting June 1, this will no longer be allowed — such applications will be automatically rejected and not even processed.
👉 Apply before June 1!
Applications are still accepted until June 1, so you have just a few days left. You can apply on your own or contact — we will help you prepare and submit your application in time.
📲 +48 453 356 709 (Viber, Telegram, WhatsApp)
