Poland: Extensive Reforms Include Digital-Only Rule for Residence Permits and Work Permit Exemption Restrictions
December 12, 2025
Country / Territory
Share
At a Glance
- Poland has announced extensive immigration reforms, including:
- Introducing a “digital-only” rule for submission of residence permit applications, expected from January 2026;
- Removing Georgian nationals’ eligibility for “Special Permission” status;
- Restricting university student work permit exemptions; and
- Increasing application fees and introducing new documentary requirements.
- The digitization efforts are part of broader attempts to accelerate processing times, with case delays increasing steadily since 2017.
- The effective legal date for the digital portal reforms currently remains uncertain, though is expected at some point in early 2026. However, even if formally implemented in early 2026, practical implementation is expected to take longer – including stretching into 2027.
The situation
Poland has introduced extensive immigration reforms, including introducing a “digital-only” rule for submission of residence permit applications (expected from January 2026); removing Georgian nationals’ eligibility for “Special Permission” status; and restricting university student work permit exemptions.
A closer look
|
Digital portal for residence permits.
|
Employers should prepare for a full transition to digital workflows for residence permit applications and ensure both human resources teams and foreign employees are equipped to handle electronic submissions and e-signature requirements. |
|
Georgia loses “Special Permission” status.
|
Employers of Georgian nationals should anticipate a longer and more complex procedure for work permit applications. Onboarding schedules may need to be revised. |
|
Work permit exemptions,
|
|
Other changes include:
- Fees. The fee landscape is shifting as follows:
- Effective December 1, 2025, application fees changed as follows:
- Locally hired employees. PLN 400, up from PLN 100 – a 300% increase.
- Posted employees. PLN 800, up from PLN 100 – a 700% increase.
- Effective January 1, 2026, consular fees for visa applications will increase, including:
- National visa (type D). Increase to EUR 200, up from EUR 135.
- Schengen visa (type C). Increase to EUR 90, up from EUR 80.
- Effective December 1, 2025, application fees changed as follows:
- New forms for Residence Permit applications. Effective December 1, 2025, residence permit applicants must use new templates, and employers must provide a new attachment with the updated forms. Use of outdated forms may result in application refusals.
- Work permit applications. Effective December 1, 2025, in addition to pre-existing rules, work permit applicants must now submit copies of all completed pages of a foreign national’s passport and additional statements confirming compliance with the law. Additionally, authorities now have the power to request further documents or evidence to confirm circumstances relevant to the case; whereas previously they did not.
Background
The digitization efforts are part of broader attempts to accelerate processing times, with case delays increasing steadily since 2017. According to the government, the solutions should allow for faster processing.
Looking ahead
The effective legal date for the digital portal reforms currently remains uncertain, though is expected at some point in early 2026. However, even if formally implemented in early 2026, practical implementation is expected to take longer – including stretching into 2027.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
