Republic of Poland · work sponsored · Leads to settlement

Temporary residence and work permit

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 10 July 2026

Poland’s combined temporary residence and work permit, granted for work purposes for more than 3 months and up to 3 years.

Requires sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyMore than 3 months and up to 3 years.

Processing time: MOS states complete applications are processed under the published administrative framework.
Government fees: MOS Q&A lists stamp duty for temporary residence and work permits and residence-card fees separately.
Typical duration: More than 3 months and up to 3 years.
Sponsorship required: Yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes

Reviewed 10 July 2026Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗

In short

As of 10 July 2026, the Temporary residence and work permit for Republic of Poland is a sponsor-led Poland immigration route. Sources: official Republic of Poland government pages, reviewed 10 July 2026.

Cite this: https://visaatlas.org/visas/poland/temporary-residence-work#answer

What is the Temporary residence and work permit in Republic of Poland?

Temporary residence and work permit is a sponsor-led Poland route. Indicative government fees are MOS Q&A lists stamp duty for temporary residence and work permits and residence-card fees separately; indicative processing time is MOS states complete applications are processed under the published administrative framework; typical duration is More than 3 months and up to 3 years. This route can lead to permanent residence.

Verified against Office for Foreigners (Poland) on 24 May 2026.

Overview

Poland’s temporary residence and work permit is the core employee route. MOS describes it as a “uniform permit” because it combines stay and work permission, but it is still tied to the job terms and issued by the voivode competent for the foreigner’s stay.

Eligibility

Typical criteria

✓Third-country national intending to take up or continue work in Poland.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
✓Purpose of stay is work for more than 3 months.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
✓Employer provides the required electronic annex in MOS.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
✓Pay is not lower than comparable work and not below the applicable minimum wage.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗

Common blockers

!Employer does not complete Annex No. 1.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
!Salary below minimum or inconsistent job terms.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
!Wrong permit category, such as posted work, ICT or seasonal work.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗

Typical evidence

·MOS application.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
·Employer Annex No. 1.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
·Employment contract or job terms.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗
·Passport, photographs and required civil documents.Office for Foreigners (Poland) ↗

Application pathway

Check the route fit
Confirm the work is not excluded into another Polish permit category.
Build the evidence pack
Have the employer complete the electronic annex accurately in MOS.
Submit through the official channel
Submit the temporary residence application through MOS and follow voivodeship instructions.
After approval
After approval, collect the residence card and work only under the authorised terms.

After approval: prepare for your next step

For Temporary residence and work permit, use the actual decision and the issuing authority’s instructions to establish what has been granted. A successful application, permission to enter, permission to work and a residence document are not interchangeable.

1. Check the decision. Confirm the name, passport, status granted, start date and any next action. Resolve an error with the authority before relying on the document for travel or employment.
2. Establish the travel step. Read any entry window, activation, collection or in-country registration instruction. For an extension or change of status, do not assume leaving the country is required or safe while a further step remains pending.
3. Confirm what you may do. Agree the lawful start date and onboarding with the employer or sponsor. Check whether the permission names an employer, role or activity before changing the arrangement.
4. Organise the household. Check each accompanying person’s permission separately, then arrange healthcare, accommodation, access to money and the relevant local registrations. A tax number or bank account does not by itself prove a right to work.
5. Keep the ongoing conditions visible. Record the actual expiry, renewal process, permitted absences and any duty to report changes. An initial grant does not automatically establish permanent residence or citizenship.

Official Temporary residence and work permit instructions Build my moving plan for this route Moving to Poland

Plan the practical side of your stay

Once you have checked the official route, you can prepare for day-to-day life in Poland. These optional services are separate from the application and do not establish visa eligibility.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
Use official Temporary residence and work permit route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for Temporary residence and work permit.
Office for Foreigners (Poland) · verified 24 May 2026

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Temporary residence for highly skilled work (EU Blue Card)
Poland’s EU Blue Card-style temporary residence permit for highly skilled employment.

Frequently asked questions

Is the employer a party to the Polish residence proceedings?+

MOS states the foreigner is the party, but the employer’s electronic annex is still essential because it documents the work basis.

How long can the permit be granted for?+

MOS describes the temporary residence and work permit as granted for the period needed for the purpose of stay, from more than 3 months up to 3 years.

Can I move to Poland on the temporary residence and work permit without a job offer first?+

No. This is a sponsored work route: you must intend to take up or continue work in Poland, and your employer has to complete the required electronic annex (Annex No. 1) in the MOS system, so a Polish job must be in place before you apply.

Why might my Polish work-permit application be refused even with a job offer?+

Common reasons applications fail include the employer not completing Annex No. 1, salary below the applicable minimum or job terms that are inconsistent, and applying under the wrong permit category such as posted work, ICT or seasonal work. Confirm the exact requirements with the official MOS source.

Can the Polish temporary residence and work permit lead to permanent residence?+

Yes. Poland's temporary residence and work permit is a route that leads toward settlement, so time on it can count toward longer-term residence planning. Check the official MOS source for the specific long-term residence requirements.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor in Poland

How we verified this

We check every figure on this page against the primary government source, record the date it was last checked, and re-check it on a regular schedule. Rules change, so always confirm time-sensitive details with the official source before you rely on them. Visa Atlas is an information-only publication and does not give legal advice.

Primary source: Office for Foreigners (Poland)

Last checked: 24 May 2026

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