KARTA POBYTU
- PolFox
- Apr 23
- 6 min read
Residence card (Karta pobytu) is a document confirming the identity and official status (temporary or permanent) of its holder in Poland. The card looks like an internal passport of a resident of the European Union, in other words, it is a plastic card with a photograph and biometric data of the holder (fingerprint data, height and eye color, names of parents). In addition, the card indicates the address of residence in Poland and the PESEL or NIP number (analogs of our TIN).
The residence card also functions as a visa. To cross the border, you only need to present a valid passport and the card itself.
The company "PolFox" helps students in preparing and submitting all necessary documents for a residence card.
The cost of the service package is only PLN 800, the promotion will last until 31.05.2022 and includes:
◦ consultation on the possibilities of obtaining a residence card;
◦ assistance in preparing all necessary documents;
◦ assistance in choosing the best insurance option required to obtain a residence card;
◦ assistance in correctly filling out contributions for temporary residence;
◦ urgent submission of documents within 1 day (instead of waiting 2-4 months for registration);
◦ support in providing fingerprints and assistance in preparing additional documents that may be required by the inspector during the consideration of the contribution;
◦ control of the case review process;
◦ support in obtaining a residence card.
◦ You can find out more about the service at this link
For a free consultation, please call:
+48539790169 or +48578000452
Types of residence cards
There are three types, depending on the validity period and the status of the holder in the country:
① Temporary residence permit (Zezwolenie na mazęskanie na czas okreżenie / oznaczony) - gives the right to stay in the country continuously and work officially for 1 - 3 years (depending on the validity period of the card). Issued on the basis of a long-term employment contract, study or family reunification.
② Permanent residence permit (Zezwolenie na osiedlenie się) - a document confirming permanent residence in Poland. The card is valid for 10 years. Issued on the basis of Polish origin (Polish Card) or 5 years of residence with a temporary residence card.
③ Long-term residence permit of a EU resident (Niebieska Karta) - "Blue Card", issued for a period of 5 years. Such a document can be obtained by a foreigner who has legally and continuously resided in Poland for the past 5 years and can confirm the presence of a permanent source of income for the past 3 years.
What rights does the Residence Card give to a foreigner?
• multiple border crossings without the need to apply for and extend a visa;
• purchase and registration of real estate and vehicles;
• free movement in the Schengen Zone (you can live in any Schengen country for 3 months in a half-year);
• the possibility of free education in higher education institutions in Poland (except for the temporary residence card);
• opening a company and doing business;
• the possibility of obtaining a loan;
• the possibility of applying for a long-term national visa for your family members (except for the temporary residence card);
• submitting documents for visa application to the US and UK consulates (very relevant information for residents of Ukraine, where the percentage of visa refusals in the US reaches 40% of the total number of applicants. In Poland, this figure is no more than 5%);
Who can get a Residence Card?
• Full-time student at a university or on long-term language courses. The basis for issuing the document is the decision of the university (language school) on admission to study.
• Spouse of a Polish citizen.
• Foreigner officially employed on the basis of a long-term contract (Umowa o pracy).
• Spouse of a foreigner who has the status of PMP (Karta stałego pobytu) - family reunification program.
• Entrepreneurial activity or own business in Poland.
What documents are required for a temporary residence card?
• A completed application form (you can download it here or at the end of the article);
The application form is filled out in 3 copies in Polish, in block letters. 2 forms for the government, one remains for you as confirmation of payment. You can always get a free copy of the application form at the Department for Foreigners' Affairs;
• 4 photos 3.5cm x 4.5cm taken no later than 6 months before the date of submission of documents;
• An original foreign passport and 2 copies of copies of all pages of the passport (can be made on site);
• Confirmation of payment for the residence card (check). The cash desk is also located in the premises;
• Medical insurance for the period of stay in Poland;
• A document that is the basis for obtaining a residence card (for students - a certificate of admission to study, under the reunification program - a residence card for a spouse, for work - an employment contract, etc.);
• Fingerprints for biometrics (taken by an employee on site);
• Confirmation of a source of permanent income or the availability of sufficient funds to live in Poland during the validity period of the card. Such confirmation may be a bank account statement (wyciąg z konta bankowego).
It is calculated based on the minimum amount required for living - about PLN 700 per month + housing payment for the entire period of validity of the card + tuition fees (if the card is issued on the basis of studies) and money for a ticket home.
The requirements may differ slightly in different cities, so you should be prepared for the fact that you will be asked for:
• Original birth certificate and a sworn translation of the document into Polish (to obtain a PMP by origin);
• Documents proving ownership of real estate or a rental agreement (umowa najmu). For students living in a dormitory - a document from the dormitory administrator;
• Copies of utility bills, internet, etc.;
• Permanent registration (zameldowanie), if available - this address will be indicated on the back of your residence card.
How long does it take to make a residence card?
According to the law, a permit (decision) to grant the applicant the status of a permanent resident must be issued no later than 45 days from the date of submission of documents. The production of the plastic itself, after receiving the decision, takes from 7 days to 2 weeks. However, due to high demand, the time to obtain a residence card on average ranges from 3 to 8 months.
You can submit documents even on the last day of validity of your visa or previous residence card.
In this case, the employee of the department that accepts your documents will put a special stamp on your copy of the contribution (or on a piece of paper that you need to carry with you) indicating that you have initiated the consideration of the case for granting you the status of a permanent resident and on the basis of this stamp you can legally stay in the country as long as your case is being considered.
Important!
The stamp gives you the right to stay in Poland, but does not give you the opportunity to leave the country and return.
How much does it cost to make a residence card?
• The cost of submitting and processing documents for a temporary residence card is PLN 340 for students and PLN 440 for everyone else;
• The cost of submitting and processing documents for a permanent residence card is PLN 680.
After a positive decision is made, you will need to pay an additional PLN 50 for the card.
How do I know that my card is ready?
After submitting the documents, you will receive a login, password and the address of the website where you can track the stage of consideration of your documents.
You will also be provided with a list of missing documents (if any) and the deadline for their delivery (usually 2 weeks). This list may be sent later to the address you indicated in the application form.
When the “decision” (decision on granting “zezwolenia na mazęskanie na czas oznaczony”) is issued, you will receive an SMS message to the phone number indicated in the application form. You need to appear at the Department of Foreigners' Affairs, sign the decision, receive your copy in your hands and pay PLN 50 for the production of the card itself.
Obtaining a residence card
You can only pick up the card in person, you must have your passport with you. Usually, the validity period of the first residence card for students is 15 months, for applicants based on an employment contract - from 1 to 3 years, for family reunification - from 2 to 3 years.
For a free consultation, please call:
+48539790169 or +48578000452
Application form for a temporary residence card
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