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Residence and work

Residence and work permit in Poland

We help organise applicant and employer documents and provide technical MOS form preparation.

One decision links residence to specific employment

A temporary residence and work permit is intended for a person whose main purpose of stay is employment in Poland. The case combines the foreign national’s and employer’s documents, so an error on either side may stop the proceedings.

The first step is to establish whether a separate work permit is required at all. According to non-binding Zielona Linia guidance based on the Labour Market Department’s position, a temporary-protection beneficiary or a Ukrainian citizen lawfully staying in Poland may serve as a management-board member on the basis of a timely employment notification. The notification does not legalise residence.

The decision normally identifies the employer and employment conditions. A change of employer, position, pay, working time or contract type may require notification, amendment of the permit or a new application, depending on the circumstances.

Core elements of the case

  • lawful stay at filing and the correct application basis
  • checking whether an employment notification is sufficient or a permit is required
  • for a board role: verifying status and lawful stay, the role’s start date, and the competent PUP based on the entity’s registered office or permanent residence
  • a genuine contract consistent with the employer’s documents
  • a correctly signed Annex 1 and current employer documents
  • health insurance and stable regular income where required by the selected basis
  • the permit fee and residence-card fee paid to the correct accounts

Preparation step by step

  1. We compare data across the contract, Annex 1, employer documents and MOS.
  2. We identify formal discrepancies between the supplied documents.
  3. We prepare separate applicant and employer checklists.
  4. Where a notification is the legal basis, we check the 7-day deadline from the start of work or the role, the competent PUP and retention of the UPO. A new notification may be needed within 7 days after a change in contract type, position or type of work, or a reduction in working time or pay.
  5. We verify signatures, dates, payments and attachment formats.
  6. After filing, we organise ordinary authority requests and supplementary documents within the agreed scope.

Changes that require a new assessment

  • work started without the correct legal basis
  • a late notification or filing with the wrong PUP
  • treating the notification as a basis for lawful residence
  • different conditions in the contract, Annex 1 and MOS
  • a change of employer or terms during proceedings
  • termination of the contract after filing
  • assuming that waiting for the card always legalises work

How we help

  • ✓ a formal employee and employer document checklist
  • ✓ data comparison across the contract, annex and MOS
  • ✓ technical MOS application preparation or checking
  • ✓ organisation of responses to ordinary authority requests

What is not automatically included

  • — legal advice or a recommendation of a residence or work basis
  • — a permit guarantee, decision date, appeals, court work and representation

Frequently asked questions

Does a Ukrainian board member always need a work permit?

Not always. Zielona Linia states that temporary protection or lawful stay as a Ukrainian citizen may allow the 7-day employment-notification route. This is non-binding guidance; residence status and unusual corporate roles require individual verification.

How long can the permit be granted for?

The period depends on the basis and intended employment; a temporary permit may be granted for up to three years.

Can an employer change be ignored after filing?

No. It must be assessed whether notification, a permit amendment or a new application is required.

Are government fees included in LegalPro’s price?

No. Government and card fees, translations, photographs and third-party documents are paid separately.

Related services

Official sources