Polish Residence Card

Polish Residence Card or residence permit is a document that allows a foreigner to legally stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland for a certain period of time.

In order to obtain a residence permit or a legal stay card, a foreigner must fulfil certain conditions, such as, for example: the presence of a valid passport, a documented purpose of stay in Poland (for example, for work, study or family reunification), as well as the availability of appropriate medical insurance.

The procedure for applying for a residence permit in Poland depends on the purpose of stay and the time for which the foreigner wants to stay in the country. An application for a residence permit must be submitted to the Department for Foreigners at the place of residence in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

It is important to keep in mind the deadlines for submitting an application and the necessary documents, since failure to comply with all requirements may lead to refusal to issue a card for a while.

Residence Card – what types of visit card are there?

In Poland, there are different types of residence cards, depending on the purpose and duration of a foreigner’s stay in Poland. Here are some examples:

The temporary stay residence card gives the right to stay for a certain period of time in Poland, usually from 1 to 3 years.
The long term stay residence card – gives the right to stay indefinitely in the state of Poland, but requires compliance with certain conditions, such as, for example, the availability of work or documentation of the availability of appropriate financial resources.
EU Resident Card – entitles citizens of the European Union and the European Economic Area to stay in Poland indefinitely, without the need to fulfill additional conditions.
The residence card for a seasonal employee gives the right to stay in the Republic of Poland for up to 9 months during the year for seasonal work.
A residence card for a person performing specialized work gives the right to stay in Poland for a certain period, usually up to 3 years, in order to get a job that requires special qualifications.

These are just some examples of the types of residence card (or legal stay cards), since there are other categories, such as, for example, a stay card for students or a stay card for a family member of a foreigner.

Who can get a a residence permit like Polish Residence Card?

The Polish residence card is issued to foreigners who legally reside in the country and meet certain requirements.

Here are some examples of categories of people who can apply for a residence permit:

Foreigners who got a job in Poland and received a work permit.
Students who have received permission to stay for scientific purposes, for example, on the basis of a submitted application for a student visa.
Foreigners who have refugee status or additional protection from the state.
Persons who are family members of a foreigner who has a valid residence card in the Republic of Poland.
Entrepreneurs who want to do business in Poland.
The requirements to be met by foreigners applying for a residence permit vary depending on the category of stay and the type of visa card they are applying for.

The residence card – advantages

A stay card for a foreigner in Poland has many advantages, here are some of them:

Legal stay in Poland and the European Union – having a stay card gives a foreigner the right to stay legally for a certain period of time, which allows avoiding illegal stay and its consequences (for example, deportation)
Free movement – the presence of a stay card allows you to move freely around Poland without the need for additional documents.
The possibility of legal employment – the presence of a stay card entitles a foreigner to a legal job on Polish territory, if he meets the relevant conditions.
Access to the insurance system – the presence of a pobyta card allows you to use the Polish system of medical and social insurance.
The possibility of obtaining a long stay card – the presence of a temporary stay card for a certain period of time and the fulfillment of certain conditions allows you to apply for a permanent (steel) stay card, which entitles you to stay indefinitely in the Republic of Poland.
The possibility of traveling to other EU countries – the presence of a visa card gives the right to free movement in Poland and to travel to other countries of the European Union under certain conditions, for example, within the Schengen area.

Advantages for parents and children

For parents and children, having a Polish visa card can be very useful. Here are some examples of the advantages of having a visit card for parents and children:

Access to education – the children of foreigners who have a residence permit (a residence card) have the right to education in Polish schools, including public and private schools.
Access to medical care – the presence of a visa card entitles foreigners to use the Polish medical system, including in public and private medical institutions (the so-called NFZ).
Getting a job for parents – having a residence card gives parents the right to work legally on Polish territory, which allows them to support themselves and their family.
Free movement – the presence of a residence card gives the family the right to move freely in Poland, as well as travel to other EU countries under certain conditions.
The possibility of obtaining a permanent residence card – the fulfillment of certain conditions, as well as the presence of a residence card for a certain period of time, allows the family to apply for a permanent residence card (steel stay), which allows you to stay indefinitely in the Republic of Poland.
Legal protection – the presence of a residence permit gives the family a certain right to stay and protection from deportation in case of violation of the law.

Benefits for students

For students, having a Polish residence permit can be very useful. Here are some examples of the benefits of having a card for students:

Legal stay – having a residence card allows you to legally stay on Polish territory, which avoids the consequences associated with illegal stay.
Free movement – the presence of a residence card allows you to move freely around Poland without the need for additional documents.
The possibility of legal employment – the presence of a residence card gives students the right to legal work in the territory of the Republic of Poland, if they meet the relevant conditions.
The possibility of obtaining a seasonal work permit – students with a residence permit can apply for a seasonal work permit, which allows you to get additional earnings and gain work experience.
Access to the Polish insurance system – the presence of a residence card allows you to legally use the Polish health and social insurance system.
Internship opportunity – the presence of a card allows students to practice in Polish companies and institutions, which allows them to gain work experience.
The possibility of obtaining a permanent residence permit – the fulfillment of certain conditions and the availability of a stay card for a certain period allows students to apply for a permanent stay card, which allows them to stay indefinitely in the Polish Republic.
Access to Polish universities – having a residence card allows you to apply for admission to Polish higher education institutions and get an education in Poland.

Which document gives more advantages?

It is impossible to say unequivocally which type of document gives more advantages, because it depends on the individual situation of each person. A residence permit (residence card) and a visa are two different documents that serve different purposes and have different conditions for obtaining and rights.

A visa is a document that allows you to enter and stay in Poland for a certain period, usually up to 90 days. In the case of tourist visas, its availability allows you to visit Poland, while in the case of student visas or work visas, it already allows you to study or work.

In turn, a residence card or a residence permit allows you to legally live and work for a longer period, usually from 1 to 3 years, with the possibility of extending or applying for a residence permit (stay). Having a residence card also gives you access to various public services, such as healthcare or education.

Ultimately, the decision on which document provides the most benefits depends on the individual needs and goals of each person. For short-term tourists, a visa may be the best option, while for those who plan to stay in Poland for a long time, a residence card may be more profitable, and sometimes the only possible option.

How do I get a card for a while?

To get a residence card for a while, it is necessary to observe a lost of certain conditions. Next, you need to collect all the necessary documents and apply for a residence card. You can go through this procedure yourself. You should be ready to communicate with government agencies in the person of inspectors, receive letters with additional requirements for documents or explanations to those already submitted. There may also be other difficulties associated with the consideration of the case of a foreigner who has applied for a visit card.

How can I increase the chances of a positive review of my case?

Definitely, better to ask an experts in the field of legalization of foreigners in the Republic of Poland. Of the obvious advantages that are not available when submitting documents in person:

collecting the necessary documents and advising the Client, based on the experience of previous cases
our representative will be present with you personally in government agencies
communication with inspectors and government agencies will take place through us
legal support at all stages of the case

Polish Residence Card