Residence Card

The residence card confirms the foreigner’s entitlement to stay in the Republic of Poland, as well as confirming his identity and enabling (together with a valid passport) multiple border crossings without obtaining a visa.

If you have difficulties obtaining a residence card, you do not have to worry. 
You can entrust your case to experienced professionals who will help you get it.

The document officially confirms the right to reside legally in the country for citizens of certain countries. It is an indispensable document for people who want to work, study or simply stay in Poland longer.

What is the difference between a visa and a residence card?

The residence card is an official document that allows foreigners to live legally in the Republic of Poland. Unlike a visa (issued by a Polish consulate in another country), a residence card is issued in Poland by the competent Voivode. A residence card is usually issued for a longer period than a visa, which makes having it a convenient option for people who plan to stay in Poland for a longer period of time.

The residence card proves that its owner has been granted:

• Temporary residence permit.
• Permanent residence permit.
• EU long-term resident’s residence permit.
• Residence permit for humanitarian reasons.
• International protection (refugee status granted in Poland or subsidiary protection granted).

All these cases allow foreigners to stay in Poland legally and for longer, which translates into greater security and stability in everyday life.

What types of residence cards exist and what requirements must be met to obtain them?

There are 3 types of residence permits in Poland:

• temporary residence card,
• permanent residence card,
• EU long-term resident’s residence card.

To get a card, you must meet certain requirements, for example, have a sufficient level of income, do not break the law, etc.

What documents do you need and what procedures do you need to go through to obtain a residence card?

In order to obtain a residence card, certain documents must be provided, such as a passport, an application, evidence of sufficient financial resources, etc. The procedures depend on the type of residence card and the individual circumstances of the applicant. As a rule, with rare exceptions, after providing all the necessary documents, the applicant must undergo the procedure of collecting fingerprints and obtaining a temporary residence permit in Poland. Then the residence card is received.

What are the benefits of a residence card?

The residence card allows its holder to stay legally in Poland for a period of 6 months – 3 years, depending on the type of card. In addition, the cardholder receives the right to work, free education and medical care. In addition, it allows you to visit the Schengen area without an additional visa.

What is the meaning and operation of the residence card?

The residence card is an important confirmation of the legality of staying and working in Poland. It also gives the holder the opportunity to obtain other documents, such as a driving license or a bank card. Without a residence card, the holder may be denied access to many public and commercial services. The residence card is of great importance and action. It gives the right to stay in Poland for a certain period of time and opens up new opportunities for the applicant.

The Residence Card is a document that allows its owner to travel around the territories. Other members of the Schengen area may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, based on meeting the following requirements:

• Have valid travel documents.
• Can demonstrate the purpose and conditions of stay.
• Have sufficient means of subsistence or the ability to obtain them legally.
• Not to jeopardize public order and morality, the protection of public order and public health or the international relations of any Member State. It is particularly important that he is not entered in the national databases of the Member States as a person against whom there are grounds for refusing entry.

Developing a residence card for citizens of some countries may have its own specific features, which is why we offer an individual approach to each client.

What problems and difficulties may occur when applying for a residence card and how to solve them? Of course, there may be some problems related to the lack of the necessary documents or an insufficient level of income. However, we offer an individual approach to each client and help solve these problems.

Features of applying for a residence card for citizens of certain countries.

Some citizens, especially from outside the European Union, may require additional documentation in order to obtain a residence card. For example, citizens of Russia are required to have a clean criminal record, and citizens of Ukraine – confirmation of a stable financial situation. Additional security checks may also be required. Some of the possible problems could be due to missing documents, financial instability, a criminal conviction or a poorly drafted application. But don’t worry, our experienced specialists will help you collect all the necessary documents and safely go through the entire process of applying for a residence card. One of the main problems that foreigners face is the insufficient knowledge of the Polish language and the lack of understanding of how to fill in the necessary documents. Our specialists with knowledge of Ukrainian, English, Russian and other languages, as well as our consultants familiar with formalization procedures, can help you avoid these problems and facilitate the process of obtaining a residence card, faster and without the risk of a negative decision, in other words, refusal.

What is the easiest way to obtain a residence card in Poland (for an adult)?
Basics of staying in Poland that are easy to prove and based on them you can obtain a residence card:

1. Studies, vocational courses or schooling.
2. Employment on the basis of an employment contract or a contract of mandate.
3. Establishing a limited liability company or registering a business in Poland.
4. Marriage with a Polish citizen or a person with the right to stay (residence card) in Poland.
5. Possession of the Pole’s Card or Polish ancestors (Polish origin).

If a person from outside Poland has a Pole’s Card (which proves their Polish origin) and wants to move to Poland forever, they can apply for permanent residence in Poland on this basis.

When can the residence card be replaced?

You can exchange a temporary residence card only when your current residence card is valid. If the validity of the residence card expires soon, another application for temporary residence should be submitted.

Issuing a new permanent residence card or a long-term resident’s EU residence card does not require re-submission of the application even when the validity of the old card has expired – in this case it is important that the previously issued decision on granting a residence permit is valid

Example 1: A foreigner who has a temporary residence card, which is still valid for two years, changes his place of residence – replacement of the card is possible.

Example 2: The residence card of a foreigner whose decision on granting a temporary residence permit is valid for another year has been destroyed – it is possible to obtain a new residence card.

Example 3: A foreigner who has a temporary residence card, which is still valid for two weeks, wants to exchange it for a card valid for the next period, because its validity will soon end, and he still works in the same company – replacing the card is impossible, he must submit a new application for temporary residence.

Example 4: A foreigner who has a permanent residence card, which is still valid for two weeks, wants to exchange it for a card valid for the next period, because its validity will soon end – exchange is possible because the decision has been issued for an indefinite period.

Summary: How to get a residence card in simple words?

In our company MAGFIN, we make sure that the process of obtaining a residence card is easier and more convenient for our clients. Our specialists will help you prepare all the necessary documents and guide you through the process of obtaining a residence card in and around Warsaw, as well as throughout Poland, as well as online. Having a residence card opens up many new opportunities for you, such as the possibility of staying legally in the country, the right to work, free education and medical care. Feel free to ask us for help in obtaining a residence card, and we will do everything for you.