Can I Stay in Poland with a Work Permit? Complete Guide to Temporary Residence and Work Permit for Foreigners in 2025
Are you a foreigner wondering if a work permit alone allows you to stay legally in Poland? This complete guide explains everything about staying and working in the Republic of Poland. Learn what a work permit allows, when a temporary residence permit is needed, and how to work with the department for foreigners.
What Is a Work Permit in Poland and What Does It Allow Foreigners to Do?
A work permit allows a foreigner to perform work for a specific employer under defined conditions. It is issued by a voivode and details the employer, job role, and sometimes the place of residence. However, a work permit alone does not allow you to stay in Poland.
You must also have a valid visa or residence permit to maintain legal residence. Different types of permits exist. The most common is the Type A work permit, for foreign nationals employed directly by a Polish employer. Other options include the seasonal work permit for agriculture or tourism sectors. Choosing the correct work permit type is crucial.
Your work in Poland must match the conditions resulting from other documents, such as your contract. The performance of work must fully align with what your permit completed in accordance authorizes.
Does a Foreigner Need a Temporary Residence Permit to Stay in Poland?
Yes. A foreigner with a work permit must also obtain a temporary residence permit to stay in Poland legally. A work permit alone does not grant the right to reside in the territory of Poland. Staying without a residence permit can lead to deportation or entry bans.
The purpose of stay must match the permit held. For employment longer than 90 days, a temporary residence and work permit is necessary. Without it, your legal residence on the territory becomes invalid.
Many foreigners misunderstand this rule. Even if you have a valid work permit, you must apply for a temporary residence before your visa or current permit expires. Failing to apply risks your ability to stay legally in Poland.
What Is the Temporary Residence and Work Permit in Poland?
The temporary residence and work permit allows a foreigner to live and work in Poland legally. It combines two permissions: right of residence and right to work under one administrative decision. Typically, the permit is issued for a period matching the employment contract. The maximum validity is three years.
If the job ends early, you must report the permit about the termination immediately. Otherwise, your residence permit to be considered valid is at risk. Changing jobs without notifying the authorities also breaches your permit conditions.
Only a temporary residence card issued with work authorization allows you to stay and work legally in Poland.
How and When to Submit the Application for a Temporary Residence and Work Permit?
You must submit the application before your visa or residence title expires. The submission of the application happens at the department for foreigners based on your place of residence.
For example, if you live in Poznań, you visit the department for foreigners in Poznań. The documents must be submitted personally.
Your application must be complete.Missing documents can delay the process. They can even result in rejecting the permit to be considered valid.
Key documents include:
- Valid travel document (passport),
- Proof of minimum remuneration for work,
- Document confirming employment,
- Health insurance proof.
Timing matters.
Applying late can make your stay on the territory unauthorized.
What Documents Must Be Submitted to Obtain a Residence Card?
Applying to obtain a residence card requires full documentation. You must submit:
- Valid travel document,
- Completed application for a temporary residence,
- Proof of place of residence,
- Document confirming employment,
- Health insurance evidence,
- Salary proof meeting minimum remuneration for work.
Foreigners who perform work in a regulated profession must submit additional certificates or licenses. Such proofs support your eligibility to stay legally in Poland and work legally. Failing to submit all required documents could lead to delays. It could also cause refusal of your temporary residence card application. Thus, careful preparation is crucial for a smooth application process.
What Is the Residence Card and How Does It Help Foreigners Work in Poland?
The residence card is one of the most important documents a foreigner can hold when living and working legally in Poland. It is issued after granting a temporary residence permit and serves both as an identification document and a confirmation of the right to stay and work in the territory of the Republic of Poland. Carrying a residence card at all times is essential. It proves that the foreigner holds a valid legal residence status. In case of inspections by authorities or when dealing with administrative matters, presenting your residence card avoids misunderstandings and penalties.
Moreover, the residence card issued by another country (e.g., a different Schengen state) does not allow a foreigner to perform work in Poland unless it specifically grants the right to do so in Polish territory. Thus, obtaining a Polish temporary residence card directly tied to the purpose of stay (employment) is indispensable. If a foreigner loses the residence card or if it expires, they must immediately apply for a replacement of the residence card at the appropriate department for foreigners to maintain uninterrupted legal status.
The residence card also specifies the employer and type of work, meaning the foreigner to work in a different position or for another employer would require applying for changes in their residence permit for the purpose of work. Always remember: the card is not just a formality but a living document reflecting your actual legal conditions of stay and employment.
How Long Can a Foreigner Stay in Poland on a Work Permit?
The length of stay for a foreigner based on a temporary residence and work permit depends directly on the validity of the employment contract and the administrative decision. Typically, a permit for a period of up to three years is issued, though shorter periods are common if the employment relationship is limited in time. Importantly, if a contract is signed for only one year, the permit within the territory of Poland will match that duration, not the maximum three years.
When a foreigner approaches the end of their permit’s validity. It is crucial to apply for a temporary residence extension in advance. Waiting too long and missing the deadline could result in losing the right to stay in Poland and termination of work rights. Additionally, changing employers before the end of the permit requires notifying the voivode who issued the permit and applying for modification or a new permit. Failing to do so invalidates both the work permit and residence card, risking that any continued work will be treated as illegal employment.
For those planning a more permanent future, after several years of continuous stay and employment in Poland, the next step may be applying for a permanent residence permit or a residence permit for a long-term EU resident. Such permits provide broader rights, including open access to the labor market without the need for obtaining new work permits for every job change.
What Happens After Issuing the Permit? Rights and Duties for Foreigners
When the permit is granted, a foreigner officially acquires the right to stay and work legally in Poland, according to the specific employment terms registered with the immigration authorities. This right, however, comes with important obligations. If there’s any termination of work — whether voluntary or due to employer-related issues — the foreigner must inform the department for foreigners or the voivode who issued the permit within 15 days. Ignoring this duty could make your residence permit to be considered invalid, exposing you to fines or deportation.
After issuing the permit, you must also ensure that your employment conditions — salary, working hours, job title — remain consistent with those registered in your application. Significant changes require notification to immigration authorities and, in many cases, a new application for a revised residence permit for the purpose of stay. It’s essential to maintain the integrity of your legal documents because even small discrepancies can be grounds for questioning your legal residence on the territory of Poland.
Additionally, a foreigner should remember that even with a valid residence card, working outside the specified employer or role makes their work will be illegal. Careful compliance with all permit conditions ensures the continued right to reside and work in Poland without administrative complications.
Can You Work While Waiting for a New Residence Card?
One of the biggest concerns for a foreigner in Poland is whether they can work while waiting for a decision on a new temporary residence and work permit. Fortunately, Polish law offers a degree of protection. If you submit the application for extension before the last day of legal residence, you are allowed to stay legally in Poland and continue working on the basis of the old permit, under the same conditions. A stamp placed in your valid travel document or a special certificate issued by the department for foreigners serves as proof of your ongoing application.
However, this ability to work immediately before submitting and continue work while waiting applies only if your employment terms — employer, job position, and duties — remain unchanged. If you start working for a new employer without adjusting your application, your work will be illegal, even if you still possess a valid residence card. It’s critical to understand that the legality of your employment status is tied not only to having a residence title but also to respecting the detailed conditions of your work authorization.
In some cases, if a foreigner fails to properly renew their temporary residence card, or begins working in a position not covered by the original decision, they risk serious administrative consequences. Therefore, submitting the right documents on time and maintaining consistency with the conditions that are required are absolutely vital for any foreign national’s stay and work strategy in Poland.
What Happens If Work Will Be Illegal on the Territory of the Republic of Poland?
Performing unauthorized work in Poland can have severe consequences for a foreigner. First, if the Polish authorities determine that a foreigner to work is not complying with the terms set in the temporary residence and work permit, they may cancel the basis of a residence, resulting in the obligation to leave the territory of the Republic of Poland. Moreover, working without the proper authorization can also lead to deportation orders and an entry ban to Poland and the entire Schengen Area, often lasting several years.
Additionally, illegal employment can affect future immigration applications. Once a foreigner is found to have breached the immigration law, even applying for a new residence permit or another work permit may be denied. Polish immigration authorities take such violations very seriously, and even minor discrepancies can be treated harshly, particularly if they relate to the termination of work without proper reporting.
For the employer, entrusting work to a foreigner without a valid work permit or appropriate residence permit for the purpose of work carries financial penalties. For the foreigner, the consequences extend beyond fines to include severe restrictions on their ability to ever stay legally in Poland again. Therefore, maintaining full compliance with the permit within the terms set by the authorities is critical to protecting your future career and life opportunities in Poland.
Final Bullet Summary: Key Things to Remember for Foreigners
- A work permit does not authorize a foreigner to stay in Poland without a valid temporary residence permit.
- Always submit the application for a temporary residence and work permit before your last day of legal residence.
- Your temporary residence card is a crucial proof of your right to stay and work legally.
- Changes in employer or job position require a new permit to avoid making your work illegal.
- Work while waiting is permitted only under identical conditions to your original employment terms.
- Losing or damaging your residence card requires immediate replacement of the residence card.
- Working without authorization can lead to deportation, bans, and rejection of future applications.
- Consult the appropriate department for foreigners whenever you are uncertain about the conditions tied to your stay and work.
- Respect the requirements for minimum remuneration for work and conditions outlined in your permit.
- Plan ahead if you intend to apply later for a permanent residence permit or residence permit for a long-term EU resident.
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Time2legal is a Polish company specializing in comprehensive legal assistance for foreigners. Making it easier for them to obtain legal residence and work in Poland. The team consists of individuals from Eastern Europe and the Philippines, which allows for a better understanding of clients’ needs.
Services offered:
- Residence Permit: Assistance in obtaining a residence permit that ensures legal stay in Poland.
- Work Visa for Poland: Support in the application process for a work visa, allowing for legal employment.
- Student Visa: Guidance in acquiring a student visa for those planning to study in Poland.
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- Administrative Support:
- Appeals Against Official Decisions: Assistance in preparing and submitting appeals against unfavorable decisions.
- Support During Fingerprinting Appointments: Help with organizing and accompanying clients during fingerprinting procedures.
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- Preparation of Official Documents: Drafting necessary official correspondence.
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