When applying for a permit, follow the checklist and the information provided for this procedure. We encourage you to review the infographic and watch the animated video about temporary residence permits.
Introduction
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In cases other than those described in the following sections: ⇒ Temporary Residence Permit - open link — that is, other than those listed in Chapters 2–10a of Section V, Article 186(1) and Article 187(1)-(7) of the Act on Foreigners, justifying a stay in Poland for a period longer than 3 months, foreigners may apply for a temporary residence permit on the basis of other circumstances pursuant to Article 187(8) of the Act on Foreigners. |
A permit granted pursuant to Article 187(8) of the Act on Foreigners entitles the holder to stay in Poland only in a justified situation not provided for or listed in the provisions of that Act.
Eligible persons
- third-country nationals and stateless persons
Issuing authority
- the provincial governor competent for the foreigner’s place of residence;
- The Head of the Office for Foreigners (as the appellate authority, second instance)
Form of issuance
- an administrative decision served outside the MOS
Period for which it is granted
- for the period necessary to fulfill the purpose of stay, from more than 3 months to 3 years
Renewal
The permit is not automatically renewed. A foreign national who wishes to continue staying in Poland should apply for a residence permit (for the same or a different purpose) before the permit expires, provided they meet the requirements for its issuance.
Additional information
The permit is subject to so-called administrative discretion—this means that the provincial governor may, but is not required to, grant the permit if they determine that the stated purpose of stay should instead be pursued on the basis of a visa or under visa-free travel (e.g., tourism, caring for a friend’s home, or tending to a family member’s grave), even if you meet the other requirements for granting the permit.
Regulations
Statutory Regulations
A temporary residence permit based on other circumstances (circumstances other than those provided for in the regulations) is governed by the provisions of Chapter 11, Section V of the Act of December 12, 2013, on Foreigners, which are applied in conjunction with the regulations concerning the granting of all types of temporary residence permits set forth in Chapter 1 of Title V, “General Provisions.”
The substantive legal requirements for its issuance are set forth in Article 187(8) of the aforementioned Act.
Implementing acts to the Act
- Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of [...] 2026 on applications for the granting of a temporary residence permit to a foreigner;
- Regulations of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration of July 26, 2022, on fees charged in the Republic of Poland to foreigners for the issuance and replacement of documents that may be issued to foreigners, and the procedure for their payment.
- Regulation of the Council of Ministers of July 12, 2024, on verified income criteria and the amounts of cash benefits from social assistance.
Requirements
The foreigner is a third-country national or stateless person, and at the time of applying for this matter is legally staying in Poland (excluding stay, inter alia, for humanitarian purposes).
The foreigner should specify and tocument a purpose of stay in Poland other than the purposes provided for in the Aliens Act (Chapters 2–10a of Part V and Art. 186(1) and Art. 187 points 1–7), which constitutes the basis for applying for a temporary residence permit and justifies the stay in Poland for a period exceeding 3 months.
- within the meaning of the Act of 27 August 2004 on healthcare services financed from public funds or confirmation of the insurer covering the costs of medical treatment in the territory of the Republic of Poland;
The foreigner has a source of stable and regular income(therefore characterized by relative permanence and continuity), which is sufficient to cover the costs of living expenses themselves and family members remaining in their care.
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The foreigner must therefore have right to use a specific residential premises, where he/she can actually reside.
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This premises must therefore be: ⇒ accessible - the foreigner may permanently reside (live) in it; it cannot be a temporary place such as a shelter; ⇒ suitable for habitation - it must meet minimum premises standards, including sanitary and technical ones. |
Right of residence must be confirmed by presenting a tocument confirming this right.
- including depending on the obligations imposed on them and the defined method of their fulfilment:
- submitted through MOS an application for a permit in electronic form in the manner specified in the provisions together with the necessary annexes;
- paid the due stamp duty;
- appeared at the appointment at the provincial office, in accordance with the summons, and during it:
- presented a valid travel tocument;
- submitted fingerprints;
- submitted a signature specimen.
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| Detailed explanation taking into account exceptions to general rules can be found in the step: Filling in and submitting the application and in the step: Proceedings - in the Personal appearance section. |
Documents
1. Necessary tocuments when submitting the application – sent via MOS
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These tocuments are necessary for the application to be processed. |
Fill in the form in MOS electronically, in accordance with the instructions. Then sign it with a trusted signature or qualified electronic signature via login.gov.pl, after adding the necessary attachments.
In a particularly justified case, if you do not have a valid travel document and it is not possible to obtain one, you may attach a scan of another document confirming the identity beyond any doubt.
At the same time, you should tocument (by adding an additional attachment) the inability to obtain
- showing the facial image, without head covering and darkening glasses. The photo should meet the detailed criteria set by law.
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Additionally you can (but you ton't have to at this stage) submit together with the application:
- in the form of electronic tocuments or scans of tocuments you have in paper form. Attach them in PDF format. |
2. Necessary tocuments when submitting the application – delivered during a personal visit to the office
After submitting the application in MOS, wait for the voivode's summons to appear in person at the voivodeship office. The scheduled appointment will take place no sooner than 7 days after the date of delivery of the summons.
During the visit, present:
- original travel tocument - so that the proceedings are not discontinued;
- proof of payment of stamp duty, if it was not attached as an electronic tocument to the application - so that the application is not returned.
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Check the exceptions, including those regarding the signature. |
3. Other tocuments – delivered during a personal visit to the voivodeship office, submitted at the voivode's registry office or sent by post to the address of the registry office
The voivode will call you for tocuments necessary to confirm the data contained in the application and the circumstances justifying the granting ofif you did not attach them when submitting the application, and if when submitting the application you attached their scans you will be summoned to present the originals or authenticated copies.
Documents deliver within the set deadline (this will be no less than 14 days) to the registry office of the provincial office or send it to its address. If the voivode allows such a possibility, documents may also be presented during a scheduled visit to the provincial office — in that case you may expect that the official will carry out their initial verification and inform you whether and which documents are missing in order to consider the application favourably.
| provide documents proving that the reason for which you are applying for the permit justifies your stay in Poland for more than 3 months | |
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Document the existence of circumstances other than those listed in Article 187(1) to (7), Chapters 2 to 10 and Article 186(1) of the Aliens Act. |
- within the meaning of the Act of 27 August 2004 on healthcare services financed from public funds or confirmation of the insurer covering the costs of medical treatment in the territory of the Republic of Poland.
| Submit a tocument confirming that you have the right to permanently reside in the given residential premises, e.g. | |
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The income should be characterised by relative stability and continuity and be sufficient to cover living costs The income requirement is also met when the costs of maintenance are covered by the foreigner's family member who lives in Poland and is obliged to maintain them (e.g. a parent in the case of a minor). The amount of net monthly income:
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Submit:
- any tocuments that confirm having such income.
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⇒ Submit tocuments in originals or in copies certified as conforming to the original by a notary or a representative (provided they are an advocate or a legal adviser). Certification of conformity of the copy with the original may also be made by an authorised employee of the voivodeship office at the registry, provided you show them the original tocument. ⇒ Documents in a foreign language must be presented together with a sworn translation into Polish. The register of sworn translators is maintained by the Ministry of Justice and is available here; ⇒ Documents must be current at the date of issuing the decision on the permit. |
Filling out and submitting the application
In-person action
The Act on Foreigners requires that a foreigner personally sign an application for a temporary residence permit in order for the application to be processed.
An application concerning a foreigner who is:
- a minor—is submitted by their parent or guardian;
- a person who is completely incapacitated—is submitted by their guardian;
- an unaccompanied minor—is submitted by a guardian.
The Act on Foreigners generally requires that a foreigner personally sign an application for a temporary residence permit—failure to do so may result in the application being dismissed.
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⇒ Submitting an application via MOS means sending the application via MOS along with the necessary attachments, after it has been fully completed in Polish and signed with a trusted or qualified electronic signature on login.gov.pl, and receiving an official acknowledgment of receipt from the provincial governor. An application submitted by a Polish citizen on behalf of a minor or a person who has been completely incapacitated may also be signed with a handwritten signature. ⇒ The application is not considered submitted unless the applicant has received an official acknowledgment of receipt. The acknowledgment must be downloaded and retained. |
Application deadline
- during a legal stay in Poland.
Submitting an application to the MOS from abroad
- is not permitted. The application must be submitted during your stay in Poland.
To submit an application via MOS, follow the instructions below:
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Certificate confirming the submission of the application
If the application was submitted correctly and during a legal stay, the foreigner’s continued stay is considered legal from the date of submission until the date on which the decision regarding the permit becomes final.
In such a situation, the provincial governor is required to issue the foreign national, free of charge, a certificate confirming the submission of the application. It will be generated in the MOS system. The foreign national may also collect it in paper form during a personal visit to the provincial office.
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⇒ The certificate does not entitle you to travel within the Schengen Area. You may travel to your country of origin or permanent residence, but to return to Poland, you must obtain a visa if you come from a country subject to visa requirements, or meet the entry conditions for visa-free travel. ⇒ If you return to Poland under visa-free travel, you may remain in Poland until the date on which the decision regarding the granting of a temporary residence permit becomes final, even if this occurs more than 90 days after the date of your re-entry into the Schengen Area. |
Stamp duty
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340 PLN
It must be paid in advance, upon submission of the application. If you fail to pay this fee, the provincial governor will issue a demand for payment within a period of 7 to 14 days. If you fail to comply with the demand, you must expect that the provincial governor will return the application by way of a decision.
Method of payment
Pay the stamp duty to the bank account or at the cashier’s office of the tax authority, which is the mayor of the city having jurisdiction over the seat of the provincial governor to whom you are submitting the application.
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⇒ Proof of payment of the stamp duty should be attached to the application for a permit as one of its required attachments. Submit this document to the provincial governor no later than the deadline specified in the request for payment of the stamp duty. ⇒ When submitting your application via MOS, you may attach an electronic confirmation of the bank transfer generated by the banking system or a scan of the proof of payment of the stamp duty for the issuance of the permit. |
Proceeding in the matter of
Party to the proceedings
It is only the foreigner. It is they who:
- fills in the application in MOS,
- signs application with a trusted signature using a trusted profile or a qualified electronic signature and
- sends this application via MOS with the necessary attachments.
He cannot be replaced in these activities by a representative, subject to the condition that in the case of a minor these activities are performed by a parent or
Authority conducting the proceedings
The competent authority to consider the application is the voivode competent for the place of residence of the foreigner – this voivode receives the electronically submitted application, initiates and conducts the proceedings for granting a temporary residence permit, or refuses to initiate it. The higher-level authority in relation to the voivode is the Head of the Office for Foreigners.
Initiation of proceedings
Proceeding administracyjne w sprawie udzielenia zezwolenia na pobyt czasowy is initiated at the request expressed in the application.
The Voivode refuses to initiate proceedings when, on the date of submitting the application for this permit, at least one of the listed circumstances exists in Art. 99 para. 1 of the Aliens Act. Odmowa wszczęcia proceedings ma formę provisions against which a complaint may be filed.
- the foreigner has a permanent residence permit or a long-term EU resident permit (granted in Poland);
- the foreigner is in Poland on the basis of a Schengen visa authorising entry only to that territory issued for the purpose referred to in Art. 60 para. 1 point 23 of the Foreigners Act (i.e. for humanitarian reasons, in the interest of the state or international obligations);
- the foreigner is in Poland on the basis of a temporary residence permit, granted in cases referred to in Art. 181 para. 1 of the Foreigners Act – which is a permit issued due to special circumstances requiring a short-term stay;
- the foreigner is covered on the territory of Poland by forms of international protection (refugee status, supplementary protection), national protection (asylum, tolerated stay permit, humanitarian stay permit) or other forms of protection (temporary protection) or is applying for international protection or for asylum;
- the foreigner is detained, placed in a guarded facility or a preventive measure in the form of a prohibition on leaving the country is applied against them;
- the foreigner is serving a prison sentence or is in pretrial detention;
- the foreigner resides in Poland after being ordered to return, and the deadline for voluntary departure specified in the return decision has not yet expired, including when that deadline has been extended;
- the foreigner is obliged to leave the territory of Poland in cases referred to in Art. 299 para. 6 of the Foreigners Act (i.e. there is an obligation to leave the territory of Poland related to the conclusion of the proceedings listed in that provision);
- the foreigner is abroad.
Personal appearance
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| After submitting the application you will have to visit the voivodeship office at most twice– for the first time to fulfil obligations including presenting the travel tocument, submitting fingerprints and signature specimen, and then to collect the personalised residence card after the permit has been granted (if granted). Additional visits may only be needed when required in the given proceedings, e.g. to provide necessary explanations. |
After receiving the application in MOS the voivode calls for a personal appearance at the office for the purpose of:
- presentation of a valid travel tocument;
- submitting fingerprints;
- submission of a signature specimen.
When summoning a foreigner, the voivode sets appointment date no shorter than 7 days from the date of delivery of the summons. At the same time, the governor may also summon the foreigner to:
- supplementing formal deficiencies of the application, if it finds that such exist - under pain of leaving the application without consideration;
- payment of the stamp duty for granting the permit - under pain of returning the application;
- to submit tocuments confirming that the permit requirements are met.
Voivode will discontinue the proceedings in the situation where the foreigner:
- toes not appear for the appointment at the voivodeship office, in accordance with the summons;
- appears in response to the summons, but fails to fulfil the action to which he was summoned (i.e. will not present a travel tocument, will not submit fingerprints or
- minors under the age of 6;
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⇒ A parent, guardian or curator who submitted the application in MOS on behalf of the minor must appear at the voivodeship office when summoned to present the travel tocument of the minor foreigner. The minor may, but is not required to, accompany them during this activity. |
- persons who due to illness or disability are unable to fulfil this obligation;
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⇒ An illness or disability preventing personal appearance must be confirmed by a medical certificate. It must be issued by the relevant specialist toctor no earlier than 3 months before the application is submitted. ⇒ Exemption from the obligation to appear at the office toes not mean automatic exemption from the remaining obligations, provided for in regulations, related to submitting an application in MOS. |
Persons who are exempt from the obligation to appear in person fulfil the obligation to present a travel tocument by:
- the parent or legal guardian of the minor foreigner (under 6 years of age) appears on the date and at the place indicated, in accordance with the voivode's summons, in order to present the minor's valid travel tocument;
- a person who is exempt from the obligation to appear in person due to illness or disability:
- sends to the provincial office in paper or electronic form a copy of the travel tocument, in accordance with the voivode's summons.
- submits a paper copy of this tocument at the registry office using the assistance of a representative or third party, in accordance with the voivode's summons.
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⇒ If the foreigner toes not have a valid travel tocument and it is not possible to obtain one, they should proceed analogously with the identity tocument they hold. At the same time, they should attach a statement and, if possible, evidence confirming that they cannot obtain a travel tocument from the country of origin. ⇒The compliance of a copy of a tocument with the original must be confirmed by a notary or through a proxy appearing in the case (provided they are an attorney or legal adviser). |
- minors under the age of 6;
- persons from whom taking fingerprints is not physically possible;
- persons who due to illness or disability are unable to appear at the voivodeship office.
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⇒ An illness or disability preventing personal appearance must be confirmed by a medical certificate. It must be issued by the relevant specialist toctor no earlier than 3 months before the application is submitted. |
- minors under the age of 13;
- persons who due to disability are unable to fulfil this obligation (are unable to sign independently);
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⇒ Sick or disabled persons who are able to sign but whose illness or disability prevents them from visiting the voivodeship office submit a handwritten signature specimen on a special form, which they send by post or submit at the correspondence office of the voivodeship office through a proxy. ⇒ The form is available for townload in Step 3. – Submit the application online in the "Other applications" panel. |
Application processing deadline
Application o udzielenie zezwolenia zostanie rozpoznany within 60 days of submitting a complete application wraz z koniecznymi załącznikami i wymaganymi tokumentami.
Decision
After reviewing the evidentiary material and any supplementation thereof, the voivode rules by administrative decision on the granting of the permit, unless it finds obstacles to granting it, including assessing whether the requirements concerning
Issuing a refusal decision may be caused by:
- failure to meet the requirements for a temporary residence permit with respect to the declared purpose of stay or finding that
- entry of the foreigner's data into the register of foreigners whose stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland is undesirable, or the listing of the foreigner's data in the Schengen Information System for the purpose of refusing entry and stay;
- defence or security of the state or protection of public security and order or obligations
- submission in the proceedings for a temporary residence permit of an application containing
- tax arrears, except when the legally provided relief, deferral or payment arrangement has been obtained;
- failure to consent to treatment, in a situation where there is a treatment obligation under Art. 40 para. 1 of the Act of 5 December 2008 on the prevention and combating of infections and infectious diseases in humans;
- submission of an application during illegal stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland or illegal stay on that territory on the date of issuing the decision
The voivode may also refuse a permit in the situation failure by the foreigner to fulfil the notification obligation on the cessation of the reason for granting the previous permit. Refusal on this basis will be justified if
What next?
⇒ A foreigner who has obtained the permit a residence card is issued (more information in the tab: "Residence card").
Rights and obligations (including):
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⇒ Thanks to the permit and the valid residence card you can legally reside in Poland and cross the Polish border without the need to hold a visa or fulfil the conditions for entry under the visa-free regime. ⇒ You may also cross the internal borders of the Schengen Area and stay in other Schengen Area countries for a period of 90 days in any 180-day period, provided that the entry and stay requirements are met. |
| Limited access to the Polish labour market | |
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| ⇒ As a rule, to work in Poland you must hold a valid work permit. |
| Obligation to comply with legal norms | |
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| ⇒ You are responsible for violations of applicable law, and in the event of, among other things, a conviction for an intentional offence or a fiscal offence in Poland resulting in the inclusion of your data in the list of foreigners whose stay in Poland is undesirable, or a finding that you constitute a threat to national defence or security or the protection of public safety and order, the permit will be revoked. |
| Information obligations | |
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| ⇒ You are obliged to notify the relevant voivode in writing, within 15 working days, that you are no longer pursuing in Poland the purpose for which the permit was granted to you. |
Against the decision to refuse granting the permit, an appeal lies to the Head of the Office for Foreigners. Filing an appeal constitutes your right, not obligation.
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Appeal
Superior authority w stosunku to wojewody w sprawach zezwoleń na pobyt czasowy is the Head of the Office for Foreigners. The tasks of the Head of UdSC in the scope of appeal proceedings in these matters are carried out by the Department of Residence Legalisation of the Office for Foreigners.
An appeal is filed in writing, via the voivode, who issued the questioned decision, within 14 days of its delivery.
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⇒ Appeals is not submitted via the MOS portal, but on the portal (in the "Submit application online" section) you will find a form to help you prepare it. ⇒ The appeal must be submitted in writing sent by post, submitted in person or by a third party at the voivode's correspondence office, or in electronic form to the voivode's electronic delivery address. ⇒ After filing an appeal direct further correspondence directly to the UdSC. |
Appeal processing deadline
Appeal should be processed within 90 days. If it contains any deficiencies, this period will be counted from the date they are remedied.
Typical decisions
In the appeal proceedings, the Head of the Office for Foreigners may recognise the validity of granting a temporary residence permit. In that case, it will revoke the contested voivode's decision and grant the permit, explaining in the grounds the reasons for revoking the decision.
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A foreigner who, after the decision of the first-instance authority was overturned, obtained a temporary residence permit in Poland, is issued a residence card. This tocument is issued ex officio by the voivode who conducted the proceedings at first instance. |
In the appeal proceedings, the Head of the Office for Foreigners may find that the requirements have not been met. Then will uphold the voivode's decision and explain his position.
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⇒ If the permit is not granted and you to not have a basis for further stay in Poland, you should leave the territory of Poland within 30 days from the date on which the decision upholding the voivode's decision issued by the Head of the Office for Foreignersreturn obligation decision. ⇒ If you submit next application for granting a residence permit within this deadline, this application will not be examined (refusal to initiate proceedings). ⇒ Go to the tabs: "Remedies") and to "Most common mistakes", to familiarize yourself with a more detailed explanation of the appeal procedure |
In the appeal proceedings, the Head of the Office for Foreigners may find that the decision was issued in violation of procedural rules. Then will annul the voivode's decision and refer the case back to him for re-examination.
