Who this is for
For people who have generally resided legally and continuously in Poland for at least 5 years and meet the other criteria.
Key conditions
- Legal stay at filing where required by law
- An appropriate and genuine basis for the application
- Complete form, attachments, signatures and fees
- Current evidence supporting the stated circumstances
Documents to review
- Valid travel document and required copies
- Current photographs, application form and proof of fee
- Evidence of the purpose of stay or employment
- Income, insurance or accommodation documents where relevant
How the process works
- Review the legal basis and deadlines
- Prepare and check the document list
- Prepare and file the application
- Respond to authority correspondence
- Decision and follow-up duties
Common mistakes
- Incorrect legal basis or application form
- Missing signature, fee or current attachment
- Inconsistent details across documents
- Missing the deadline in an authority request
Timing
Duration depends on the procedure, completeness of the file and the authority's workload. Procedural deadlines run from valid service or filing; the instructions in the specific case must always be checked.
Additional requirements
Not every period counts in full. Absences, income sources and acceptable language evidence require a separate review.
Questions and answers
Official sources
MOS — oficjalny portal spraw cudzoziemców
Last updated: 2026-07-17
This content is general information and is not a substitute for individual legal analysis. Requirements may depend on the facts and the practice of the competent authority.