Insights

Poland: Legislation Streamlining Immigration Processes Forthcoming

January 10, 2022

At a Glance

Legislation implementing streamlined immigration regulations in Poland is forthcoming regarding Single Permits applications; family reunification under Blue Cards and Pole Cards; visa processing; special permission and work permit processing; and deadlines for authorities adjudicating immigration applications.
The regulations are expected to enter into effect in the second half of January.
The changes are intended to attract foreign nationals and businesses to Poland.

The situation

Legislation implementing streamlined immigration regulations in Poland is forthcoming regarding Single Permits applications; family reunification under Blue Cards; visa processing; special permission and work permit processing; and deadlines for authorities adjudicating immigration applications. The new regulations will not apply to pending cases except for the simplified process for Single Permit applications submitted prior to January 1, 2021, and the new deadlines for the processing of residence permit applications in certain cases.

A closer look

Details of these changes include the following:

Change	Details	Impact
Single Permit applications	Single Permit applications will no longer need to include confirmation of accommodation in Poland; confirmation of health insurance; or confirmation of sufficient means to support oneself and family members. Foreign nationals will be able to use their current Single Permit when changing to a new employer upon submission of an amendment. Currently, they must apply for a new Single Permit. Other changes will not require amendments of the Single Permit, including changing job position if job duties remain the same and changing from part-time to full-time employment. The Single Permit application will no longer require a labor market test if a foreign national receives an additional Work Permit for the new position during the Single Permit process. Currently, a labor market test is only required if a foreign national starts work based on a position noted in the Work Permit before applying for a Single Permit for the same job position. A foreign national will be able to have their Single Permit application prioritized and processed more quickly if they are employed by an entity of strategic importance for the Polish economy, as determined by the relevant ministry. Single Permit applications submitted prior to January 1, 2021 will be processed and adjudicated in a streamlined process to help remove the backlog of applications. However, these Residence Permits will only be issued for two years (instead of three) and foreign nationals will need to submit an extra notification confirming their employment conditions.	Foreign nationals will be able to gather documentation requirements more quickly due to reduced requirements. Foreign nationals on Single Permits will find it easier to transfer to new employers and employers will face fewer administrative hurdles when changing job titles. Employers will be able to hire foreign nationals more quickly under Single Permits.
Family reunification under Blue Card and Pole Cards	Children who are under 18 when submitting a family reunification application under the Blue Card process, but who turn 18 years of age while the application was processing will still be able to receive a family reunification residence permit. Currently, this is not possible.	These changes will make it more attractive for foreign nationals with family members to work and reside in Poland as children over 18 years will be permitted to work in Poland without additional work authorization.
Visa processing	Priority processing will be implemented for visa applicants from specific countries (likely countries of strategic importance) and professions (likely occupations with a shortage of skills in the local population). Additional details are expected to be forthcoming. Streamlined visa processes will be implemented for Ukrainian nationals. Standard processing times for visa applications will remain at 14 days.	Foreign nationals eligible for priority processing and Ukrainian nationals will be able to obtain Polish visas more quickly, allowing them to enter Poland more quickly. However, non-prioritized foreign nationals may see their visa applications processed more slowly, which will delay their start dates.
Special Permission and Work Permit processing	Special Permissions (a work authorization category for nationals of Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine) will be issued for up to 24 months, instead of six months, and will no longer require a “cooling-off period” of 12 months between applications. Employers seeking to obtain Special Permissions for a foreign national will be required to pay a salary comparable to a local worker in the same job position. Currently, they only have to meet the minimum salary level. Start date notifications for foreign nationals on Special Permissions will be able to be submitted within seven days of the foreign national’s start date. Currently, they are submitted on the same day. Work permit applications will be prioritized if a foreign national is employed by an entity of strategic importance to the Polish economy, as determined by the relevant ministry. Foreign nationals will be able to change job positions without obtaining a new work permit if they hold the same job duties. Employers will be able to amend certain job conditions (such as reduced working hours, remote work, etc., based on generic employment law regulations) in case of revenue loss by the employer, for example, unstable business, or future calamities, etc. Currently, job conditions require a new work permit authorization or notification.	Foreign nationals who have obtained Special Permissions will no longer need to obtain an additional work permit to cover employment after the expiration of the initial Special Permission. Additionally, since Special Permissions are approved faster than Work Permit applications, change in job titles and other job conditions will be easier and faster. Employers should ensure that the salaries they will offer foreign nationals on Special Permissions are commensurate with local wages for similar positions. Employers will find it easier to manage submission of the start date notifications for foreign nationals on Special Permissions, resulting in less administrative fines for not meeting the deadline. Foreign nationals who are employed by entities of strategic importance will be able to begin work more quickly since their work permit process will be streamlined. Employers will no longer have to pay the costs of filing a new work permit for foreign nationals who change job positions while holding the same job duties. Employers will find it easier to adjust their businesses to economic conditions without impediments of governmental bureaucracy.
New deadlines for authorities adjudicating immigration applications	Authorities will be required to adjudicate temporary Residence Permits in 60 days. They will also be required to adjudicate permanent residence permits and long-term EU residence permits within six months. The current adjudication time is much longer. Appeals for both permanent and temporary permits will be required to be adjudicated within 90 days. Currently, they are adjudicated in 12-18 months or more.	Foreign nationals will receive decisions on their applications more quickly, allowing them to plan their business or personal travel outside of Poland.

Background

Economic interest. Poland is seeking to make it easier for foreign nationals to enter and work in the country to assist in the country’s pandemic recovery. These changes are aligned with the Polish government’s intention to guarantee sufficient staffing resources for local investors.
Legislative history. The Polish government had drafted much of this legislation in 2021, although it is taking longer than expected to be finalized.

Looking ahead

The changes listed above will go into effect 14 days from the official publication of the regulations, which is expected to occur in the upcoming months. Additional legislative changes which will further streamline immigration processes are also expected.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

Explore more at Fragomen

Work authorization

Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme: Is the “Golden Visa” Route Now Closed?

Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the closure of Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Programme and outlines the limited remaining options for high net worth individuals seeking Irish residence through approved investment and charitable donation routes.

Learn more

Video

May 2026 Visa Bulletin | #MobilityMinute

Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers highlights key updates from the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, including a pause in employment-based advancement, continued movement in family-based categories and a warning of potential retrogression later this fiscal year.

Learn more

Awards

Citywealth Leaders List: Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 Recognises Four Fragomen Professionals

Partners Parisa Karaahmet, Raquel Liberman and Julia Onslow-Cole and Practice Leader Olga Nechita are recognised in Citywealth’s Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 for their leadership in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on global mobility and cross-border planning.

Learn more

Work authorization

Family Reunification in Switzerland: Key Scenarios, Requirements and Risks

Manager Quentin Pache outlines the main family reunification pathways available in Switzerland, highlighting key eligibility requirements, procedural deadlines and practical risks that frequently lead to delays or refusals.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Sunday Times: How to Make Your Move from the UK to the Netherlands Learn more

Brexit

UK–EU Youth Mobility: Progress, Trade-offs and the Reality of Agreement

UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit explains how a possible UK–EU Youth Mobility Scheme could work in practice, what challenges remain and what it may mean for young people and employers.

Learn more

Awards

12 Fragomen Lawyers Named to 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List

Twelve Fragomen lawyers are recognized on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List, reflecting their commitment to providing free legal assistance to those in need.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: Share Agent ‘Bad Actor’ Data With Universities, Home Office Told

Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill discusses new UK guidance suggesting the Home Office may use data to assess agent trust, raising questions about transparency and compliance demands.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Thai Visa Categories: Travel, Work, Study, Retirement and More

In this video, Partner Aim-on Larpisal provides a high-level overview of common Thai visa categories and how they are structured based on purpose of stay, including tourism, work, education and long-term residence.

Learn more

Work authorization

The H-1B Cap Lottery FY 2027 is Complete: What Employers Should Do Next

Partner Chad Blocker outlines what employers should do following completion of the FY 2027 H-1B cap lottery, explains the factors behind lower demand and higher selection rates and highlights key filing risks, timelines and alternative visa options to consider next.

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Investors: May Visa Bulletin Advances EB-5 Dates for Chinese Investors, Cautions Retrogression for India

Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler discusses China’s EB-5 Unreserved category advancing to September 22, 2026, while India’s dates remain unchanged with potential for retrogression amid sustained demand.

Learn more

Media mentions

Citywealth: Tens of Thousands Leave the Gulf for the UK, For Now

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses Middle East-based UHNW clients making short-term moves driven by schooling and timing considerations.

Learn more

Work authorization

Ireland Immigrant Investor Programme: Is the “Golden Visa” Route Now Closed?

Learn more

Video

May 2026 Visa Bulletin | #MobilityMinute

Learn more

Awards

Citywealth Leaders List: Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 Recognises Four Fragomen Professionals

Learn more

Work authorization

Family Reunification in Switzerland: Key Scenarios, Requirements and Risks

Learn more

Media mentions

The Sunday Times: How to Make Your Move from the UK to the Netherlands Learn more

Brexit

UK–EU Youth Mobility: Progress, Trade-offs and the Reality of Agreement

Learn more

Awards

12 Fragomen Lawyers Named to 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List

Twelve Fragomen lawyers are recognized on the 2026 Pro Bono Recognition List, reflecting their commitment to providing free legal assistance to those in need.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: Share Agent ‘Bad Actor’ Data With Universities, Home Office Told

Senior Immigration Manager Jonathan Hill discusses new UK guidance suggesting the Home Office may use data to assess agent trust, raising questions about transparency and compliance demands.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Thai Visa Categories: Travel, Work, Study, Retirement and More

Learn more

Work authorization

The H-1B Cap Lottery FY 2027 is Complete: What Employers Should Do Next

Learn more

Media mentions

EB-5 Investors: May Visa Bulletin Advances EB-5 Dates for Chinese Investors, Cautions Retrogression for India

Learn more

Media mentions

Citywealth: Tens of Thousands Leave the Gulf for the UK, For Now

Partner Julia Onslow-Cole discusses Middle East-based UHNW clients making short-term moves driven by schooling and timing considerations.

Learn more

Select Language

Poland: Legislation Streamlining Immigration Processes Forthcoming

Country / Territory

Share

Share

Share

At a Glance

The situation

A closer look

Background

Looking ahead

Country / Territory

Share

Share

Share

Explore more at Fragomen