How long does the process take and other common questions
The answers are short and written in plain language. Where a value depends on the office or on the individual situation, we say so directly instead of giving a figure that cannot be confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the process of obtaining a residence card take?
There is no single universal answer. The time depends on the basis for stay, the completeness of the application and the workload of the voivodeship office handling the case. Deadlines in administrative proceedings result from the regulations, but the actual time to resolve a case varies between offices. Information about the expected waiting time is published by the office competent for your place of residence — that is where you should check it.
What most often extends the procedure?
Most often formal deficiencies in the application. Incomplete documentation usually leads to a request to supplement it, which delays the whole process. The second common cause is failing to respond to the office's request within the set deadline.
More in the article: Formal deficiencies in an application — why they prolong proceedings
What is the difference between permanent residence and EU long-term resident status?
These are two separate legal institutions with different conditions — they are not synonyms. The scope of rights and the conditions for obtaining each are described by the Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców (Office for Foreigners). Before choosing a path, it is worth comparing both sets of conditions at the source.
Can I work while waiting for a decision?
This depends on your individual situation: the basis for stay, the basis for work, and how and when the application was submitted. There is no single answer that applies to everyone. This point requires confirmation from an official source or consultation with an authorised representative regarding your case.
More in the article: Legality of employment: where employers can find the scope of their obligations
Where do you submit an application for a residence permit?
The case is handled by the voivode competent for your place of residence, but from 27 April 2026 the application itself must be submitted exclusively electronically, through the MOS portal. A paper application received after that date will be left without consideration. Exceptions apply to five situations described in the section for foreigners.
More in the article: Case Handling Module (MOS): the electronic path for submitting residence applications
How much does the procedure cost?
The stamp duty for granting a residence permit ranges from PLN 340 to PLN 640, depending on the type of permit, and the fee for issuing a residence card is PLN 100. Confirm the amounts and the account number before making a payment with the office handling your case.
More in the article: Fees in residence proceedings — where to check the current amount
Does legal residence automatically mean the right to work?
This should not be assumed. The basis for stay and the basis for work are two separate matters that must be checked separately. This applies both to the foreigner and to the employer entrusting the work.
More in the article: Legality of employment: where employers can find the scope of their obligations
Where does the information on this site come from?
From official sources of public administration: the Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców (Office for Foreigners), gov.pl, the MOS portal, biznes.gov.pl and the websites of voivodeship offices. If a claim cannot be traced to a source, we do not publish it.
What replaced the stamp in the passport?
Once the application is approved by a voivodeship office employee, you download from the MOS system a certificate of submission of the application for a residence permit (zaświadczenie o złożeniu wniosku o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt). It replaces the previous stamp in the travel document, and the services checking the legality of stay have information about the submitted application.
More in the article: Case Handling Module (MOS): the electronic path for submitting residence applications
Didn't find your question? Individual situations and case handling: Centre for Handling Foreigners' Affairs (Centrum Obsługi Spraw Cudzoziemców)
The content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute individual legal advice. Every administrative case depends on its individual facts — before taking any action, confirm the information at the official source or consult an authorised representative.
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