K&P Law Firm – kancelaria prawna Kraków

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Appeals, entry bans and Polish citizenship – legal help for foreigners in Kraków

We assist foreigners and their employers when the Voivode refuses a permit, proceedings take too long, an entry ban has been issued or a Polish citizenship case needs to be handled. We analyse the decision, prepare the filings and represent you before the authorities and administrative courts.

We speak Polish, Ukrainian, Russian and English · meetings at our office at ul. Lwowska 2/8 or online

How we help

Appeal against the Voivode’s decision

Refusal of a temporary residence, permanent residence or EU long-term resident permit, or discontinued proceedings? We analyse the reasoning, add evidence and prepare an appeal to the Head of the Office for Foreigners.

Reminder and complaint about inaction

If your case takes longer than the law provides, we prepare a reminder (ponaglenie) and then a complaint to the Voivodeship Administrative Court about inaction or excessive length of proceedings.

Complaint to the WSA and cassation appeal to the NSA

If the second-instance authority upholds the refusal, we prepare a complaint to the Voivodeship Administrative Court and, if needed, a cassation appeal to the Supreme Administrative Court.

Entry ban and SIS entry

Return decisions, bans on re-entry to Poland or the Schengen area, entries in the list of foreigners whose stay is undesirable and in SIS. We check whether and when you can apply to lift the ban or remove the data.

Polish citizenship

Granting of citizenship by the President of Poland, recognition as a Polish citizen by the Voivode and confirmation of Polish citizenship, e.g. by descent. We gather the documents and handle the case.

Representation before the authority

We act as your attorney: we review the case file, submit letters and evidence and communicate with the authority on your behalf – also when you are outside Kraków.

How we handle your case

  1. Review of the decisionYou send us the decision or letter from the authority. We check the deadline, legal basis and reasoning.
  2. Action planWe present possible scenarios, the documents needed and the scope and cost of our assistance.
  3. Filing on timeWe prepare the appeal, reminder or complaint and file it in the correct form.
  4. Handling the caseWe represent you until the proceedings end and keep you informed at every stage.

Deadlines are short

An appeal against an administrative decision must, as a rule, be filed within 14 days of its delivery; specific provisions may set a different deadline – it is always stated in the instructions included in the decision. A complaint to the Voivodeship Administrative Court must be filed within 30 days of delivery of the ruling.

If you have received a decision, please contact us as soon as possible – ideally with a copy of the decision and the envelope or proof of delivery.

Frequently asked questions

How much time do I have to appeal against the Voivode’s decision?

As a rule, 14 days from delivery of the decision (Article 129 § 2 of the Code of Administrative Procedure). Specific provisions may set a different deadline – it is stated in the instructions in the decision. Contact us as soon as you receive it.

What can I do if the Voivode takes too long to issue a decision?

You can file a reminder (ponaglenie, Article 37 of the Code of Administrative Procedure) and, if that does not help, a complaint to the Voivodeship Administrative Court about the authority’s inaction or excessive length of proceedings. We prepare both.

Can I stay in Poland legally while my appeal is pending?

It depends on the basis of your stay, the type of case and its stage. We check this individually based on your residence documents and the decision and advise on the steps to keep your stay legal.

Can a ban on re-entry be lifted?

The law provides for situations in which the part of a decision imposing a re-entry ban can be revoked and the data removed from the list of foreigners whose stay is undesirable. We will assess whether these conditions are met in your case and how to apply.

What is the difference between granting and recognition of Polish citizenship?

Citizenship is granted by the President of Poland at his discretion. Recognition as a Polish citizen is decided by the Voivode once the statutory conditions are met – including a sufficiently long stay in Poland and knowledge of Polish confirmed by an official certificate. We help you choose the right route.

Legal basis: Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners; Code of Administrative Procedure of 14 June 1960; Act of 30 August 2002 – Law on Proceedings before Administrative Courts; Act of 2 April 2009 on Polish Citizenship. The information on this page is general and does not constitute legal advice in an individual case.

Useful articles

Articles reflect the law as at the date of publication.

Received a decision? Let’s talk

Please briefly describe your case and send us the decision. We will arrange a meeting at our office in Kraków or online – in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian or English.