Poland: Changes to Rules for Ukrainian Citizens

The Polish government has amended previously-implemented rules for Ukrainian citizens who entered Poland due to the situation in Ukraine:  

• PESEL registration.
  • The deadline for obtaining registration for PESEL identification numbers has been extended from 60 days after arrival to 90 days after arrival. 
  • Ukrainian applicants who cannot visit Polish authorities to obtain their PESEL identification number due to health problems can now register in person but closer to their residence. 
  • Guardians of Ukrainian citizens under 12 years old who hold an identity document can now visit Polish authorities without the minor to obtain the minor’s PESEL identification number. 
• Simplified criteria for Ukrainian entrepreneurs. Ukrainian applicants who did not enter Poland under the Polish Special bill who file a residence permit application as individual entrepreneurs will no longer need to prove sufficient income or that they hired employees, until December 31, 2022.
• Certificate cancellation. Ukrainian citizens who entered Poland indirectly (e.g. through Slovakia) on or after February 24, 2022 (who were not covered by the Polish Special Bill) who were issued a “certificate” under the EU Temporary Protection Directive are now covered under the Polish Special Bill, effectively cancelling their previously-issued “certificate” under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. Affected individuals will receive a notification and will need to return the statement to the issuing authority (the Head of the Immigration Office in Warsaw) within 15 days. 
• Labour Office notification concession. Employers of Ukrainian citizens who have the right to work based on general Polish law and not the Polish special bill for Ukrainian citizens no longer need to notify the Local Labour Office when the Ukrainian citizen starts work. Relatedly, Ukrainian citizens whose employer did not submit this notification (before the rule changed) will not be penalized. 
• Other rule changes. 
  
  • Holders of a Residence Permit for Humanitarian Reasons now have an automatic extension of their right of stay, until August 24, 2023. 
  • Ukrainian citizens who move to another EU country as part of family reunification will lose their EU Temporary Protection status.