How to get a residency card in Poland
DISCLAIMER: The following post is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered an authoritative guide on how to get a residency card in Poland. Its intent is to give the reader a general overview of the process and what kinds of documents are expected. Beginning the process, get a current, Polish version of this form and go over it with a Polish speaker who is willing to help you. Procedures and requirements may have changed since the writing of this article or may have been inaccurately characterized in it. I invite all constructive input you may have on how to make this article more accurate and useful.
What’s a residency card?
This card allows a foreigner to retain in Poland for an extended but defined period of time. A typical tourist visa expires after three months whereby the foreigner has to leave the Schengen Area, get their passport stamped and then may return on a new Polish tourist visa. Although this solution may make sense as a short term solution, people planning on staying in Poland for an extended period of time ought to take the steps to obtain a residency card as soon as possible.
Physically, the card is very similar in appearance to a Polish ID card and functions in much the same way. You are required to have it with you as a form of identification and proof of legal status if you are stopped by the authorities.
How do I get a residency card?
Where: Urząd Wojewódzki (Voivoidship Office)
pre-requisite: varies
Wait time: up to 45 days (you MUST submit the paperwork at least 45 days before your current visa/residency card expires)
Cost: 340 zł + 50 zł
What you’ll need:
- filled out application form (this form is in Polish, English and French)
- 4 current ID photos
- passport + 2 photocopies
- original birth certificate + certified translation*
- certificate from appropriate tax office**
- confirmation of temporary “zameldowanie” or photocopy of residency card
Additional documentations
if you want to legally work:
- permission to work or visa
- pledge of permission to work
- copy of contract to work
- documents proving financial stability
- last year’s tax returns PIT 37, PIT40 or PIT 11
- proof of health insurance***
- rental agreement
if you have your own company:
- notary act of partnership or proof of company registration
- current report from the national register of courts
- company balance sheet for previous year
- CIT-8 for previous year
- tax return for previous year (PIT-37 or 40)
- proof of health insurance***
- last submitted ZUS DRA declaration
- proof that obligations to ZUS have been met
- documents proving financial stability
- certificate from appropriate tax office**
- affidavit regarding running a business in Poland
- pledge of permission to work & work permit or proof that such a work permit is not needed
- rental agreement
if you’re a university or post-graduate student:
- confirmation of enrollment at a school or other
- appropriate institution
- proof of payment for studies
- documents proving financial stability
- proof of health insurance***
- rental agreement
if you’re taking part in a professional training course:
- confirmation of enrollment in the training course
- documents proving financial stability
- proof of health insurance***
- pledge of permission to work & work permit or proof that such a work permit is not needed
- rental agreement
if you’re studying in Poland (pre-university):
- confirmation of enrollment at a school
- documents proving financial stability
- proof of health insurance***
- rental agreement
if you’re an academic, scientist, or researcher:
- contract with an educational institution in Poland as well as a written statement assuring that your costs will be covered by the institution
- contract with an educational institution in the EU as well as a written statement assuring that your costs will be covered by the institution
- documents proving financial stability
- proof of health insurance***
if you’re married to a Polish citizen:
- marriage certificate
- photocopy of your partner’s ID card
- documents proving financial stability
if you’re relative is Polish:
- document confirming relationship to Polish citizen (e.g. marriage or birth certificate)
- photocopy of residency card and decision allowing the foreigner to stay in Poland
- documents proving financial stability
- proof of health insurance***
- rental agreement
in other cases:
- document confirming the situation which the foreigner is citing in their application
- documents proving financial stability
- proof of health insurance***
- rental agreement
* If for some reason you cannot quickly obtain the original of your birth certificate and only have a copy of it, you may ask the certified translator to note that the translation was made “based on the original”. With this sentence on the translation, the clerks at the government office should accept your paperwork.
** Go to the tax office of appropriate to where you are living and submit a request to get a forum that states that you do not owe taxes from years past
*** The health insurance criteria can be met in one of two ways. If you are to be employed full-time, you will be part of the national health care system. If you are under a different contract that does not include this benefit, you may purchase an insurance policy that covers hospitalization and medical costs. This can be obtained at most major insurers for a cost of a few hundred for an entire year.
June 3rd, 2009 - Posted in Blog | | 1 Comments
on June 11th, 2009 at %I:%M %p
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