Poland allows Ukrainians to stay in the country for a fairly long period of time. To do this, you need to apply for a residence card - karta czasowego pobytu. Find out more about the difficulties you may face when applying for the document and how to avoid them

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Residence card (karta czasowego pobytu) is a Polish residence permit that allows foreigners to legally stay in the country. It is issued by expats who plan to stay in Poland for more than 3 months. The validity period of the card is from 1 to 3 years. You can also work and travel based on the permit. For more details about the residence card see the link.

For foreigners who have already received a residence card, the procedure for issuing the document seems quite simple, but if you are facing this for the first time, you should prepare for certain difficulties. Especially if you have problems with the language, if you do not know it well, because you will have to understand Polish definitions.

How to issue a residence card?

To get a card, you need to prepare a certain package of documents and submit an application to the Voivodship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) at your place of residence. The application must be submitted in person or by mail.

The list of documents for obtaining a residence card:

- questionnaire;

- 4 photos of a standard size of 35 by 45 millimeters;

- original and copies of a valid foreign passport;

- information about the availability of work in Poland;

- documents confirming the availability of funds for living (it can be a salary certificate);

- service fee payment receipt.

The full list of documents is at the link.

What difficulties can you face when issuing a residence card?

If a citizen of Ukraine fills out the questionnaire incorrectly or submits an incomplete package of documents, the issuance of the card may be refused or the procedure for issuing the document may be delayed. Therefore, in order to speed up the procedure for obtaining a permit, it is necessary to immediately submit a complete package of documents.

What are the most common mistakes that can lead to a delay in issuing a card?

• Absence of a full signature - the information in the application for a residence card must be signed not only with your usual signature, but also with your first and last name in Latin.

• Incomplete application - questions that do not concern the applicant cannot be left blank, the words "BRAK" or "NIE DOTYCZY" must be used there.

• An error in the address of residence - if the inspector has questions about your application, he will contact you by sending a letter to your place of residence. Without receiving the letter, you will not be able to make clarifications to the package of documents.

• Non-compliance with the established requirements for the photo or self-pasting of the photo in the application.

• No copies.

• Sending documents by regular mail, not by registered mail.

• Submission of expired documents when issuing a residence card.

When can the application be rejected?

• If appendix No. 1 to the application is not signed by the employer or if his signature is incomplete.

At first glance, the rather simple procedure for issuing a residence card has many subtleties and complexities. Even a minor mistake can cause a delay in receiving the document. Only a professional lawyer will help you prepare a complete package of documents, make all the necessary translations and understand the intricacies of submitting an application. You can get advice from a personal lawyer by following the link.

We will remind you! From April 1, 2023, Ukrainians who arrived in Poland after the start of the full-scale invasion received the right to issue a residence card. Read about the benefits of this permit for refugees in our material.

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