Poland simplifies the application process for residency and work permits.
The long-awaited change to Poland's Foreigners Act will take effect on January 29, 2022. The new regulations are intended to make obtaining residence and work permits in Poland easier for foreigners. Here are the most important changes to be aware of.
Procedures for submitting an application
Applicants for temporary residence and work permits will no longer be required to demonstrate that they:
- they have a source of stable and regular income, sufficient to support themselves and dependant family members,
- they have a place of residence in Poland (i.e. proof of accommodation such as rental contract).
All applications for temporary residence and work permits must be processed and decided within 60 days after receipt of all required papers. Applications that have not yet been determined and were submitted before January 1, 2022, may be reviewed under an expedited method.
Employment conditions
Furthermore, the new legislation will stipulate that a foreigner's monthly remuneration cannot be less than the Polish minimum wage, regardless of the person's working duration or contract type. It's also worth mentioning that foreign workers won't have to apply for new work permits if they:
- their job title changes but the scope of duties remains the same or
- if they work longer hours while receiving proportionally higher pay.
Declaration of an employer's intent to hire a foreigner
Citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, or Ukraine will be eligible to work in Poland for a maximum of 24 months after signing a "Declaration of intent to employ a foreigner" (Owiadczenie o zamiarze powierzenia wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi). It's a big shift because previously, the document could only be granted for a period of no more than 6 months during the next 12 months.
For more detailed information on the amendment, please visit the website of the Polish Office for Foreigners.
