Poland: Expedited Entry Paths and Shorter Processing Times Among Forthcoming Improvements

Change

Current rule

Impact

New expedited entry paths for visa applicants from some countries and other specific groups. The countries and groups have not yet been published.

There are no priority entry paths for these foreign nationals

Eligible foreign nationals will benefit from shorter processing times for their visas.

Elimination of some requirements in the temporary residence and work permit process (changes will not affect Blue Cards or dependent temporary residence permits).

Temporary residence and work permit applications require multiple steps that lead to a long application preparation and processing time.

Impacted applications will see faster temporary residence and work permit processes since administrative hurdles will be eliminated.

Introduction of specific timelines for adjudication of applications:

• a two-month deadline for temporary residence permits;
• a six-month deadline for permanent residence permits and long-term EU residence permits.

Currently, these types of applications may take 10-20 months to be processed, depending on the location/city of the application.

Long adjudication backlogs will be eliminated with this new standard processing time.

Introduction of a simplified process for temporary residence and work permit amendments and expansion of available circumstances that do not require permit amendments.

Temporary residence and work permit holders must amend their permits prior to changing job positions or employers. There are also other circumstances that require permit amendments, which is a lengthy process and may take several months.

Eligible foreign nationals will benefit from fewer amendments to their residence and work permit and shorter processing times for their permit amendments.

Introduction of an expedited temporary residence and work permit process for foreign nationals working in entities of particular strategic importance for the Polish economy.

There is no such expedited process available for foreign nationals.

Eligible foreign nationals will see shorter processing times for their work permits.

Additional financial resources and process improvements for prioritized processing of applications within special visa programs, such as Poland Business Harbour, i.e. recruiting more staff in consulates in Ukraine and the ability to process applications from Ukraine directly by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

There are currently backlogs in Ukraine for Polish visa applications.

These changes will allow Polish visa applicants more accessibility to obtain a visa.

Extension of Special Permission up to 24 months and elimination of the 12-month settlement period.

Eligible foreign nationals (from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine) can work on the basis of a Special Permission for up to six months in a 12-month “settlement” period. In order to continue working further, they must have standard work authorization.

Eligible foreign nationals will be able to continue employment without interruption on the basis of subsequent extensions.