Refugees from Ukraine will be able to obtain a special residence permit in Poland. The document will be available from 2025. Find out more about who can apply for a CUKR card and what changes await Ukrainian refugees

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Starting from 2025, Ukrainian refugees residing in Poland based on PESEL UKR will be able to obtain a special temporary residence card CUKR. The application for the permit will be available only online through the electronic system of the Office for Foreigners.

After receiving a special CUKR residence card, Ukrainians who currently have the status of temporary protection UKR will be entitled to legal residence and employment in Poland for 3 years. Ukrainians with CUKR status will have the same rights as other foreigners in Poland based on a residence permit. The document will be issued under a simplified procedure. Even children will be able to obtain the card.

In our previous article, we told you that the President of Poland Andrzej Duda signed amendments to the law on assistance to Ukrainian refugees.

Criteria for obtaining a CUKR card

The CUKR card will replace the temporary protection status in the future. However, it will be available only to Ukrainian refugees who meet the following criteria:

1. As of March 4, 2024, they have obtained an active UKR status;

2. On the day of submitting documents for CUKR status, they will have an active UKR status;

3. Continuously had an active UKR status for at least a year.

However, even if you do not want to receive a CUKR card, all Ukrainian refugees will have to update their data with local administrations, as well as provide their passport details.

You can learn more about the reasons and possible grounds for revoking the PESEL UKR status for Ukrainians in Poland by following the link.

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How to obtain a residence permit in Poland?

Currently, Ukrainian refugees can legalize their stay in Poland by obtaining a temporary protection status (PESEL UKR number) and a temporary residence card (karta pobytu). The grounds for obtaining a residence card are similar to those for foreign nationals of any other country residing in Poland.

Another way will be available from 2025 - a temporary residence permit after obtaining temporary protection status. However, after obtaining a CUKR card, refugees will automatically be deprived of PESEL UKR status, and therefore will not be able to receive any benefits and enjoy the benefits associated with temporary protection.

The CUKR card will be valid for 3 years. Its holders will have the right to be employed in Poland without obtaining additional permission. Holders of the CUKR card will have the same rights as foreigners with a regular residence card, but will be able to leave Poland for a period not exceeding 6 months without losing their residence permit.

We remind you! Citizens of Ukraine who arrived in Poland after the start of the full-scale invasion must apply for PESEL UKR status. However, more and more Ukrainians are facing the revocation of this status. Read more about who can lose the PESEL UKR status and for what reasons.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Ihor Usyk is the Head of Legal Department at Visit Ukraine

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