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 |
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Family reunification under Blue Card and Pole Cards |
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Visa processing |
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Special Permission and Work Permit processing |
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New deadlines for authorities adjudicating immigration applications |
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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].