How I Get Poland Work Visa?

To work in Poland, one must be a citizen of either the EU/EEA or Switzerland. If you intend to work in Poland for more than three months and are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, all you need to do is register for your stay at a nearby registration office. In order to tell Polish authorities that you wish to stay and work in Poland for a longer period of time, you must register your stay. This is not the same as applying for a visa.

Before applying for a work visa, you need to know about which work permit you should apply for. The types of Poland work permits are:

• Work Permit A. It is required if you have a job offer from a business registered in Poland. This work permit is given to you under the condition that you will obtain a valid residence permit.
• Work Permit B. This permit is required if you are employed as a board member and will be residing in Poland for a period exceeding six months.
• Work Permit C. If you are delegated to Poland by a foreign employer for longer than 30 days to work for their Polish branch.
• Work Permit D. If a foreign employer delegates you to Poland to work in export services. The foreign employer must not have a Polish branch.
• Work Permit S.This permit is required if a foreign employer sends you to Poland for agricultural, hunting, fishing, or accommodation activities

The documents required for a Poland work visa application are:

• Valid passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least another six months; more if the embassy requires.
• Visa application form. You must fill out the form via the e-Konsulat system (the Polish consular website), print it, and sign it.
• Colored photos of yourself. Photo dimensions and requirements should fulfill the Schengen visa photo guidelines.
• Flight itinerary. You must submit proof that you have purchased or at least booked a flight to Poland.
• Proof of travel health insurance. Once you arrive in Poland, you will have to register for long-term health insurance, either with the Polish national health fund or a private insurance company. However, for the initial work visa application, you will be required to submit proof of travel health insurance covering at least €30,000.
• Proof of accommodation. You must submit proof that you have a place to live in Poland during your stay.
• Original and copied version of the work permit. Your employer will send you the work permit which they applied for on your behalf.
• Employment letter. You must submit the original letter of employment, signed by your employee and stating your position, salary, and other details of your employment.
• Work experience certificate or CV. Submit an updated copy of your CV and any certificates that attest to your work experience in the position you are applying for.
• Police clearance certificate. You must prove that you do not have a criminal background.

Remember: The Polish consulate or embassy may ask you to provide additional documents, depending on each specific case.

The steps for applying for a Poland work visa are:

1. Your employer applies for a work permit on your behalf. 
2. You apply for a work visa at the Polish embassy.
3. Enter Poland and start working.

If you plan to start working in Poland, a Polish employer needs to apply for a work permit on your behalf at the local Voivodeship office (Governor’s Office in Poland). The employer must submit documents, such as

• The application form. 
• Proof of paid application fees.
• Proof of the legal status of the employer. The documentation should be issued from the NCR (National Court Register).
• Records of the employer’s economic activity.
• Copy of the employee’s passport pages.
• Proof of the employee’s health insurance.
• Deed for the company.
• Statements that show profits or losses made by the employer.
• Copy of the work contract.

After the work permit has been granted, your employer will forward it to you, along with your work contract and any other documents, so you can apply for a work visa.

Once you receive authorization to work in Poland, you can then apply for a work visa from the Polish Embassy in your country. This visa will allow you to travel to Poland for work purposes and then apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit. To apply for a Poland work visa, you need to follow these steps:

1. Locate the nearest Polish Embassy or Consulate. You can determine which embassy to apply to through the e-Konsulat website (the Polish consular services website), as well as complete an application form.
2. Make a visa appointment. You can set up an appointment through the e-Konsulat website or by contacting the embassy or consulate directly. Make sure you set up an appointment sufficiently in advance.
3. Collect the required documents.
4. Submit the application. On the date of your appointment, you have to show up on time, submit the required documents, and (if required) attend a visa interview.

You must present your documents (physical or digital) to the border control before entering Poland. Within four days of entering Poland, you must register your address with the district office of the local city council.

You can begin working after registering your address and obtaining a residence card.

The Polish embassy or consulate may take up to six weeks to process your work visa application. You are advised to apply for your Poland work visa at least two months before your trip, especially due to the importance of the visa type.

The Poland work visa fees are:

You have to pay for the visa on your own unless your employer volunteers to sponsor your work visa. The employer is not obligated to pay for the visa fee for the employee; however, most employers in Europe do pay for the work permit. Make sure to contact your employer for more information.

If you are not from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you must get a residence card. The fee for the residence card is €11.

The Polish work visa is only valid for three months, during which you have to apply for a residence permit for you to stay longer.

The validity of your work permit depends on the employment contract given to you by the employer. If for example, your employer wants to employ you for two years, then your residence and work permits will be valid for that time.

Your employer can extend your Poland work visa by renewing your contract. If you want to extend your work visa, you must do so 30 days before your work visa expires. Your employer may apply for an extension of your work permit at the local Voivodship Office or online via the praca.gov.pl portal.

Your new employer must submit an application for a new work permit at the Voivodeship Office if you hold a temporary residence permit and wish to change jobs. Your work permit and temporary residence permit are linked to an employer.

You can change jobs if you are a permanent resident of Poland without requiring your new employer to apply for a work permit on your behalf.

Your family members may apply for a Polish family reunification visa if you are employed in Poland with a temporary work permit valid for at least two years. For as long as you have a work permit in Poland, your family members may live with you provided they are given a family reunification visa.

When you are hired for work activities that do not last more than nine months per year, you are awarded a seasonal work permit. Normally, foreigners who want to work in Poland during the summer are granted a seasonal work permit. You must apply for a temporary residence permit in addition to a seasonal work visa in order to remain in Poland.

You may be granted a temporary residence visa owing to seasonal employment if you:

Want to enter Polish territory in order to carry out seasonal labor.
possess a consistent and reliable income.
possess health insurance
possess evidence of accommodations.
An application for a seasonal work visa costs €6.63.