Do Ukrainian Refugees in Poland Need to Apply for a Residence Card?

Do you need to apply for a residence card? Documents required to work in Poland

The Polish Border Guard reports that since the start of the full-scale war and the situation in autumn 2022, over 6 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed the border.

Some have moved on, but hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians have stayed in Poland. The question of document registration in Poland for refugees — in particular the residence card — remains pressing. As a reminder, this is the main document confirming the identity and official status (temporary or permanent) of foreign nationals in the Republic of Poland. We have previously written about how to obtain new Ukrainian passports in Poland, and today we will discuss changes regarding the process of obtaining a Polish residence card for refugees.

Do you need to apply for a residence card?

Recently, the Department for Foreigners in Poland published an important clarification regarding the submission of documents for a residence card by Ukrainian refugees. It has become known that the Polish government is planning to introduce several amendments to the Act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens of 12 March 2022. Currently, this act provides for obtaining a residence card under a simplified procedure. Under the current provisions, refugees who wish to remain in Poland on a long-term basis may apply for a residence card valid for 3 years after 9 months of stay. Taking into account that the first refugees crossed the border on 24 February 2022, applications for a residence card could formally be submitted at voivodeship offices from 25 November onwards to legalise their stay in Poland.

However, a new amendment to the act is now expected that would remove this possibility.

For this reason, the Department for Foreigners in its clarification recommends not rushing to submit documents for a residence card.

The expected amendments to the act are to be adopted by the end of the year. It is anticipated that Ukrainians who arrived in Poland since the beginning of the full-scale war will automatically have their residence permit extended. As a result, temporary residence cards will not be required. This proposal was put forward by the Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration, as the ministry is concerned about voivodeship offices being overwhelmed with residence card applications. It is also announced that the documents of those refugees who have already submitted applications for a residence card will be left without consideration.

Documents required to work in Poland

According to official data, over 430,000 Ukrainian citizens who arrived in the Republic of Poland after 24 February have already found official employment. Every day, Gremi Personal employs Ukrainians in Poland. Importantly, with a valid passport, a Ukrainian citizen can work without a work visa

In addition to a visa or a Ukrainian passport, a permit (zezwolenie na pracę) — a work permit — is required. This document is issued by the Voivodeship Office upon an employer's application for a specific vacancy. We help not only with finding a job in your city, but also with obtaining all the necessary documents. All our vacancies are fully legal; we provide accommodation, a full social package, and insurance.

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Looking for work in Poland? Browse our job catalogue. If you haven't found the right offer — call us: [+38 (050) 334-93-51 or +48 525 275 003](tel:+38 (050) 334-93-51 or +48 525 275 003), [+38 (050) 334-93-51 or +48 525 275 003](tel:+38 (050) 334-93-51 or +48 525 275 003), [+38 (050) 334-93-51 or +48 525 275 003](tel:+38 (050) 334-93-51 or +48 525 275 003)