Will I get a stamp in my passport after submitting an application through MOS?

What has replaced the passport stamp

Until 26 April 2026, lawful stay during the examination of an application was confirmed by a stamp impression in the passport. From 27 April 2026 (the launch of MOS 2 according to the MSWiA announcement; ustawa z dnia 21 listopada 2025 r., Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1794), this practice ends.

After submitting an application electronically through the mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl portal, the wojewoda issues the foreigner with a zaświadczenie confirming that the application for a temporary residence permit has been submitted (new art. 108 ust. 1 ustawy o cudzoziemcach). This zaświadczenie fulfils the role previously played by the stamp — it documents lawful stay until the decision becomes final.

Conditions for protection of lawful stay

The zaświadczenie protects lawful stay only if the application was submitted on time (while the stay was still lawful) and without formal deficiencies (art. 108 ustawy o cudzoziemcach). If the authority refuses to initiate proceedings (e.g. art. 116 ustawy o cudzoziemcach), the protection under art. 108 does not arise at all — in that case there is neither a stamp nor a zaświadczenie.

How to submit an application

Applications for temporary residence, permanent residence, and EU long-term resident status must be submitted exclusively electronically through MOS 2. A profil zaufany or a qualified electronic signature is required. Paper applications sent by post after 27 April 2026 will be left without consideration. Exceptions that remain on paper: ICT and long-term ICT mobility, and family reunification / family member of a Polish/EU/UK citizen, where the foreigner is staying outside Poland.

An important limitation

Lawful stay during the proceedings (confirmed by the zaświadczenie) does not entitle the holder to travel freely within the Schengen Area, nor does it always guarantee re-entry after leaving Poland. If you are planning to travel abroad, it is worth checking this in advance.

What the case law says

Administrative courts are already examining cases relating to the new procedure — for example, a complaint about the excessive duration of proceedings concerning the issue of a zaświadczenie confirming the submission of an application for temporary residence and work (IV SAB/Wr 5/26). Similarly, complaints about inaction and excessive duration in cases involving temporary residence and work permits (IV SAB/Wr 234/26) and EU long-term resident status (II SAB/Wr 79/26) are being examined. Such complaints are sometimes rejected on formal grounds (no PESEL number, unpaid court fee) — which demonstrates how important it is to prepare submissions correctly.