Temporary Residence Permit
Karta pobytu czasowa — 1 kusvika 3 makore
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Temporary Residence Card
1 to 3 years A temporary residence permit tied to a specific purpose: work, study, family reunification, business, or the EU Blue Card. The most common entry point for foreigners in Poland — we handle the case from documents to card issuance at the Voivodeship Office (UW).
What is a temporary residence card
A temporary residence card (also referred to as a temporary residence permit, from the Polish karta pobytu czasowego) is a permit to stay (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy) that a foreigner receives for a specific period and for a specific purpose: work, study, family reunification, business, or highly qualified employment (Blue Card). The application (wniosek o pobyt czasowy) is submitted to the Urząd Wojewódzki (Voivodeship Office) at the applicant's actual place of residence, and since 2026 — only through the MOS portal. Unlike a permanent card or EU resident status, a temporary card is always "tied" to its basis: if the purpose of stay changes (e.g., dismissal from work, expulsion from university), the card may be annulled unless a new basis is established.
Work-based (work residence card)
A temporary residence card tied to a Polish employer, issued for a period of up to 3 years. Submitted to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the applicant's place of residence, exclusively through the online MOS portal. Key requirements: a valid employment contract (umowa o pracę or umowa zlecenie), remuneration at or above the established minimum for the given position, registered residence in Poland, and valid health insurance. The card is tied to a single employer — changing jobs requires re-application.
Study-based
A residence card for full-time students at accredited Polish universities, issued for a period of up to 3 years. Submitted to the Urząd Wojewódzki of the voivodeship where the applicant studies and resides, exclusively through the MOS portal. Key requirements: enrollment at a recognized university, tuition paid for the current academic year, documented funds for living expenses and the return trip to the country of origin, registered residence, and valid health insurance. Switching to part-time studies or expulsion is grounds for the card to be annulled.
Family reunification
Łączenie rodziny — a residence card for spouses, minor children, and dependents of EU citizens or foreigners holding a valid Polish residence card. Submitted to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the applicant's place of residence, exclusively through the MOS portal. The sponsor and the applicant must actually reside within the same voivodeship. Key requirements: documented family relationship (marriage or birth certificate with a sworn translation; an apostille if required, depending on the issuing country), the sponsor's stable income above the established threshold, housing suitable for the whole family, and health insurance for each applicant. The status of the card depends on the sponsor's status.
EU Blue Card
Niebieska Karta UE — an EU residence card for highly qualified specialists, issued for a period of up to 3 years. Submitted to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the applicant's place of residence, exclusively through the MOS portal. Key requirements: a higher education diploma or relevant professional experience (3+ years for regulated IT specializations, 5+ years for other professions); an employment contract for at least 6 months; gross remuneration of at least 150% of the average salary in Poland (13,355.34 PLN/month in 2026). Since 2025, changing employers and running a sole proprietorship (JDG) in parallel has been permitted.
Business-based
A residence card for founders actively running a spółka z o.o. (limited liability company) or a JDG (sole proprietorship) in Poland, issued for a period of up to 3 years. Submitted to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the applicant's address of residence, exclusively through the MOS portal. Key requirements: an actually operating company (not "dormant"), income sufficient to cover tax obligations and living expenses, as well as employment of Polish residents or revenue above the established threshold for the previous fiscal year. Registered residence and valid health insurance are mandatory. Companies with "dormant" status are refused. What documents are needed in any case Regardless of the basis, the standard package for a wniosek o pobyt czasowy almost always includes:
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A foreign passport -
A completed wniosek o pobyt czasowy (current 2026 form) -
A biometric photo -
Proof of purpose of stay (employment contract, university certificate, proof of relationship, etc. — specific to each basis, see above) -
Health insurance -
Proof of registered residence in Poland -
A receipt for payment of the stamp duty and the card production fee (100 zloty)
How the application procedure works
- Creating an account in the MOS system and filling out the wniosek online
- Signing the application with an electronic signature (Trusted Profile or a qualified signature)
- Gathering documents for the specific basis (work/study/family/business/Blue Card)
- Submitting the application and paying the fees
- Scheduling and attending biometrics at the Urząd Wojewódzki
- Waiting for the case to be processed, providing documents on request if necessary
- Receiving the decyzja (decision)
- If the decision is positive — collecting the card (within 60 days of notification, otherwise the decision is annulled)
How long does it take to process a temporary residence card
The official period is up to 60 days, but in practice the timeframes often increase due to the workload of voivodeship offices, especially in larger cities. The transition to electronic submission via MOS in 2026 is expected to reduce some technical delays.
Main reasons for refusal
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Not meeting the requirements for the basis | E.g. salary below the minimum for work, or insufficient sponsor income for family reunification |
| Incomplete package of documents | Missing one of the required documents for the specific basis |
| Issues with health insurance | Policy not obtained or expired by the time of submission |
| Issues with registration of residence | Legal address of residence in Poland not confirmed |
| Employer company/business not active | E.g. a "dormant" company status when applying on a business basis |
| Errors in the application (wniosek) | Use of the outdated 2025 form or technical inaccuracies |
Can the basis of the card be changed
Yes — for example, if the card was issued on a work basis and grounds for family reunification or business subsequently appear, an application for the new basis can be filed without waiting for the current card to expire, if the situation allows. What changed in the rules in 2025–2026
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Since December 1, 2025, a new wniosek o pobyt czasowy form and Attachment No. 1 for employers have been in effect, and official fees have been increased -
During 2026, applications for temporary residence are moving to an exclusively electronic form via the MOS portal -
The salary threshold for the Blue Card for 2026 is at least 13,355.34 PLN/month gross (150% of the average salary in Poland) -
Since 2025, Blue Card holders can change employers and run a JDG in parallel — this was previously restricted
What is the maximum period for which a temporary residence card is issued?
Up to 3 years, but the exact period depends on the basis and is often tied to the term of the employment contract, studies, or another supporting document.
What happens to the card if I lose my job?
A card issued on a work basis is tied to the employer — upon dismissal, it needs to be re-registered under a new basis (a new job, studies, family, etc.), otherwise the legality of the stay is in question.
Can I work without a separate work permit if I have a temporary residence card?
In most cases, a card issued on a work basis itself grants the right to work for a specific employer without a separate permit — but the conditions differ by card type, so please check during a consultation.