Work & Residence Permits
The following information is for guidance purposes. It is advisable to confirm the exact procedure for your personal circumstances at the Polish Consulate.
Work Permits
Work permits are company and job specific and are applied for by the employer. Permits are issued by the Labor Office in the region where the applicant will be employed.
Before issuing a definite work permit (Zezwolenie na prace), the employment office first issues a work permit "promise" (Przyrzeczenie). The work permit "promise" is necessary to apply for a Work Visa or Residence Permit and it guarantees that the applicant will be issued a definite work permit on the condition that a Work Visa or Residence Permit are granted.
Work permits are issued for the validity of the employment contract but usually not for longer than one year. Upon expiry, work permits can be renewed for one year at a time.
At present,
every non-EU national intending to work in Poland must obtain a work permit.
EU Nationals
Due to transitory measures, certain EU nationals still need work permits to work in Poland.
The following is a list of EU countries whose citizens, as at July 2006, do not require a work permit in Poland:
Cyprus, Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Ireland, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Spain, Finland, Lithuania, Sweden, Greece, Portugal, UK
Procedure for Application
The employer must notify the Regional Labor Office of the intention to employ a foreigner. The office must accept the application and issue a of work permit "promise" (Przyrzeczenie).
Having the work permit "promise" (Przyrzeczenie), the prospective employee must go to the appropriate Polish Embassy or Consulate in his home country and apply for a work visa.
Note: A foreigner's first work visa can only be applied for in their country of legal residence.
At least 45 days before the work visa expires, the applicant must apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland.
When the employee has been granted the work visa or temporary residence permit, the employer applies for the final work permit from the labor office.
Contact Details
Work permits in Warsaw are issued by the Regional Employment Office (Wojewódzki Urząd Pracy w Warszawie).
Full details about work permits can be found online (in Polish) at:
Regional Employment Office
Regional Employment Office in Warsaw (Wojewódzki Urząd Pracy w Warszawie)
Address: ul. Mlynarska 16
Tel: +48 22 578 44 00
Web:
www.wup.mazowsze.pl
Dependants
Spouses and dependant family members of work permit holders are not automatically entitled to work. If they wish to do so, they must obtain a work permit in their own right.
Residence Permits
There are several types of residence permits which are issued depending on the reasons for taking up residence in Poland. This section will deal exclusively with residence permits issued on the basis of residing in Poland for work.
EU Nationals
EU Nationals no longer need to obtain a residence card to live in Poland. Those who wish to do so may obtain an "EU National Residence Card" (Karta Pobytu Obywatela UE).
The conditions for EU nationals to establish their residence in Poland are:
Having sufficient funds to cover their stay; or having a stable source of income (employment, investments, pension, etc.); or being in Polans with the intention to work or do business.
Having health insurance that will cover any health related expenses in Poland (This can be proved by having a European Health Insurance Card – EHIC- from your country of origin).
Procedure for Application
EU Nationals can apply for their residence card at the Regional Foreigners Office of their intended place of residence. In Warsaw applications are made at:
Regional Foreigners Office in Warsaw (Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki w Warszawie – Oddział ds. Cudzoziemców)
Address: ul. Długa 5, Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 695 65 75
Web:
www.mazowieckie.pl/news.php?id=6033
The following documents must be submitted:
- 4 application forms.
- 4 current color photos 4.5 x 3.5 cm, showing the left three-quarters of the face with the left ear visible, and even lighting on the face.
- A letter from the employer stating their intention to hire the applicant and the proposed length of their assignemt in Poland.
- Work Permit "Promise" only if you are from an EU country from which it is still required.
- Passport (original) and photocopies of all the marked pages.
- Proof of health insurance (EHIC).
- Proof of living arrangements in Poland (rental contract or title deed if you own a home).
- Proof of registration (meldunek)- see section administrative procedures on arrival.
Each dependant family member who will also be living in Poland, must a file an independent application with a document proving the degree of kinship wth the main applicant (birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.)
Note: You should bring copies of all the documents along with the originals. Any documents which are not in Polish should be translated.
Non-EU Nationals
Non-EU nationals who will be staying in Poland for more than three months must apply for a "Temporary Residence Permit" (Karta Pobytu na Czas Oznaczone). To obtain a residence permit they must justify the purpose of their stay; the purpose must be in line with the conditions set out by Polish immigration laws (work, business, study, family matters, etc).
The application for a residence permit must be made at least 45 days before a work visa expires; the same applies to the application for the renewal of a residence permit.
Procedure for Application
EU Nationals must apply for their residence card at the Regional Foreigners Office of their intended place of residence.
In Warsaw applications are made at:
Regional Foreigners Office in Warsaw (Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki w Warszawie – Oddział ds. Cudzoziemców)
Address: ul. Długa 5, Warsaw
Tel: +48 22 695 65 75
Web:
www.mazowieckie.pl/news.php?id=6033
The following documents must be submitted:
- 4 application forms
- 4 current color photos 4.5 x 3.5 cm, bareheaded, without dark glasses, showing the left three-quarter with left ear visible, and even lighting on the face (an additional photo will facilitate the procedure)
- valid travel document (2 copies)
- work permit valid for the territory of the Republic of Poland and for the period of residence, on the basis of a permit or a visa or an extension of a work permit promise or a work permit promise
- employment contract
- Tax return for the previous year (if you were in Poland)
- Certificate of no tax arrears to the Polish State Treasury issued by a competent Tax Office
- documents of medical insurance or documents certifying that the cost of medical care on the territory of the Republic of Poland are covered by your insurer,
- Proof of living arrangements in Poland (rental contract or title deed if you own a home).
Each dependant family member who will also be living in Poland, must a file an independent application with all the required documents (except the work permit) and an additional document proving the degree of kinship wth the main applicant.
Note: You should bring copies of all the documents along with the originals.
Health Requirements
There are no health certificates or vaccination requirements necessary for entry into Poland.
Administrative Procedures on Arrival
Foreign nationals staying for more than three months, have to register with the Polish local authorities within 48 hours of arrival in the country. Registration is carried out at the appropriate District Office (Urząd Dzielnicy) by the owner of the property where the foreigner will be staying. The foreigner's original passport is required for registration. Upon registration, the foreigner may apply for a PESEL number which is a national ID number needed for several administrative procedures. Upon registration the foreigner will receive a registration document (meldunek). If you will be working in Poland you will also have to apply for a tax number (NIP). This can be done for you by your employer.
