Since 27 April 2026, applications for a temporary residence permit, a permanent residence permit and an EU long-term resident permit are filed exclusively online, in the Case Handling Module (Moduł Obsługi Spraw, MOS). A paper application is left unexamined. We explain how to go through the procedure and what to avoid.
Legal basis
- Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2025, item 1079, as amended), in particular Art. 105, 108 and 114–121.
- Act of 21 November 2025 amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts (Journal of Laws 2025, item 1794) – obligation to file applications electronically.
- Act of 16 November 2006 on Stamp Duty.
Who can obtain the permit
A temporary residence and work permit (the so-called single permit) is granted to a foreigner who intends to work in Poland for more than 3 months, where the entity entrusting the work meets the statutory conditions. The remuneration may not be lower than that of employees performing comparable work, nor lower than the minimum wage (Art. 114 of the Act on Foreigners). Health insurance is also required.
Step 1. File during your legal stay
The application must be filed no later than on the last day of legal stay in Poland (Art. 105(1) of the Act on Foreigners). An application filed after that date does not give the protection of Art. 108.
Step 2. Create a MOS account and prepare your signature
The foreigner files the application personally, from their own MOS account. The application is signed with a trusted profile (profil zaufany), a qualified electronic signature or a personal signature (podpis osobisty). Without one of these tools the application cannot be filed effectively, so it is worth arranging one in advance.
Exceptions to the MOS obligation include, among others, intra-corporate transfer permits and family members filing on behalf of a foreigner who is abroad.
Step 3. Complete the employer section and attachments
The application contains information about the entity entrusting the work and the terms of employment. Typical attachments are: a copy of the passport, the employment contract or job offer, documents confirming qualifications (where required), proof of health insurance, a photograph and proof of payment of fees.
Step 4. Pay the fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Stamp duty for a temporary residence and work permit | PLN 440 |
| Issue of the residence card | PLN 100 |
| Power of attorney (if an attorney acts) | PLN 17 |
Step 5. Get the UPO and confirmation of legal stay
After the application is sent, the system generates an official confirmation of receipt (UPO) – this is proof of filing. If the application has no formal defects, or the defects were remedied on time, the foreigner’s stay is legal until the day the decision becomes final (Art. 108(1)). The voivode places a stamp in the passport, and a certificate can be downloaded from MOS. Neither the stamp nor the certificate entitles you to cross the border.
Step 6. Personal appearance and formal defects
The voivode summons the foreigner to appear in person to have fingerprints taken and to present the original passport. You must also respond to requests to remedy deficiencies – failure to remedy them on time results in the application being left unexamined (Art. 64 § 2 of the Code of Administrative Procedure) and, consequently, in losing the protection of legal stay.
After the permit is granted
The permit is tied to a specific employer and working conditions. A change of employer or of essential terms of employment, as a rule, requires the permit to be amended (Art. 120). The foreigner must notify the voivode of losing their job within 15 working days (Art. 121(1)).
Most common mistakes
- filing on the last day without a ready electronic signature,
- filing on paper or by a third party from their own account,
- failing to respond to a request to remedy deficiencies,
- leaving Poland during the proceedings without a valid document allowing return.
Frequently asked questions
Can the employer file the application for the employee? No. The foreigner files it from their own MOS account; the employer provides data and documents concerning the employment.
Can I work during the proceedings? It depends on the basis on which you worked before filing. This requires an individual assessment.
For how long is the permit granted? For a period corresponding to the purpose of stay, no longer than 3 years.
What if the voivode refuses? You may appeal to the Head of the Office for Foreigners within 14 days – see our article on appealing against a voivode’s refusal.
This article is for general information purposes only and reflects the law as at the date of publication. It does not constitute legal advice or a legal opinion on any individual case. We help prepare and file applications in MOS and represent clients before the voivode and the Head of the Office for Foreigners.