How to get a residence permit in Poland?

The status of a temporary Polish resident is sought by citizens who do not live in the EU countries. A residence permit makes it possible to legally reside and find a job in a country with a developed economy and a high standard of living. Residence permit has no critical differences in comparison with civil status. The formal confirmation of the residence permit is Karta Pobytu. What rights do foreigners with a residence permit have?

What gives a residence permit to a foreigner?

Residence permit status allows you to stay in the country for three or more months. The maximum term for the first issue is 3 years. Subsequently, the status can be extended for 10 years.

Residence permit holders enjoy the following status privileges:

• the right to legal residence, work, conduct business;
• visa-free movement and stay in the states of the Schengen zone for up to 90 days without the right to employment;
• purchase of real estate in Poland, cars in the territory of the EU countries;
• obtaining permanent residence status under a simplified procedure;
• higher education;
• issuing invitations for relatives;
• free medical care of the European level;
• issuance of visas to countries in which obtaining an entry permit usually causes difficulties (USA, Great Britain), according to a simplified algorithm.

A residence permit in Poland is a promising opportunity to arrange life, achieve goals that could not be solved at home.

Documentary preparation

To obtain the basic version of the Pobutu Card, an impressive package of papers is required. Its content depends on the purpose of stay in the country and the requirements of a particular voivodship. All documentation is translated into Polish. Before submitting a package of documents for a residence permit, it is worth clarifying the requirements for applicants on the official website of the government.

Basic package includes:

• questionnaire in two copies;
• copies of all informative pages of the foreign passport;
• receipt of payment of the fee for consideration of the application;
• documents confirming the solvency of the applicant;
• actual photos of the established size;
• original birth certificate;
• medical insurance.

Students additionally provide a receipt for tuition fees or a certificate for free education. In some voivodeships, a residence permit or proof of housing is requested.

The procedure for obtaining a residence permit

A permit for a residence permit is issued by the department for foreigners at the place of residence. Appointments must be booked in advance. Applicants are required to take biometric data at the time of registration. Documents are submitted personally, are considered within a month from the date of submission. Sometimes the review period is extended to two months. Some voivodeships provide an opportunity to track the status of the application on official websites.

If during the period of waiting for the status of a residence permit a foreigner's visa expires, the voivode puts a stamp allowing stay in Poland legally.

There are several ways to obtain temporary resident status:

• enroll in a school or university in Poland. The residence permit is renewed every year during the entire period of study;
• to marry a Polish citizen. The foreign spouse must be present in person. Copies of documents from the Polish registry office are added to the package of documents;
• get a job. The basis for obtaining a residence permit is a contract signed with a Polish employer, including for seasonal work. If a foreign citizen loses or changes his job, the status must be obtained again;
• open a legal business on Polish territory;
• reunite with family;
• conduct scientific research.

Acquisition of residential property is not a basis for obtaining a residence permit, however, if commercial property is purchased for doing business by a legal entity, this may be a positive argument in favor of granting the status.

After obtaining a residence permit, Karta Pobytu is made within two weeks.

Reasons for refusal to obtain a residence permit in Poland

The decision of the governor does not always coincide with the expectations of the applicant. The most common reasons for negative verdicts are:

• discrepancy between the real and declared purpose of stay in the country;
• concealment of true information, provision of false information in the questionnaire;
• marriage in circumvention of the provisions of Polish law;
• Residence permit during the period of illegal stay on Polish territory;
• the applicant already has a permanent residence permit in one of the EU countries;
• problems with the law, criminal ties;
• physical absence in Poland.

In case of refusal, the applicant has the right to appeal to the Department for Foreigners within two weeks.

The migration policy of Poland changes regularly, however, immigration to this country is the most financially accessible and uncomplicated.