Poland Work Visa – Requirements, Documentation and Application

Poland work Visa is a document that you must have before you can work in any Poland company. This is because the Visa is one of the licenses that prove your reason for traveling to Poland.

In the past three years, the Polish immigration ministry has become stricter with its immigration rules and regulations. As a result, foreign employees must be in possession of a work permit before they can enjoy the full benefit of working in Poland.

A Poland work visa can be challenging to obtain due to the processes required, mainly if you are from a non-EU country. However, understanding the process and what you require will ensure make Poland’s work visa permit acquisition is a smooth experience.

What is a Poland Work Visa?

A Poland work Visa is a document issued by the Poland embassy to any foreign employee. The document allows the foreign employee to undertake legal work in Poland and clearance to pass the Polish border. As a result, they do not risk arrest and deportation.

Similarly, a Poland work permit visa specifies the entity that a foreign employee is working for and also the position or type of work he performs. However, the Poland work permit visa is valid for the period it was issued and cannot be used for any other purpose or job.

Why do you need a Poland Work Visa?

If a foreign citizen owns a Poland work permit visa or license, he is privileged to particular privileges, for instance, the number of days he can spend, places, and activities he can engage in. But, everybody is not eligible to obtain a Poland work permit visa. Cannot be given to everybody.

Who can obtain a Poland work visa?

Generally, a Poland work visa permit cannot be issued to the people listed below;

• Foreign citizens who have been issued any other travel visa except tourist visas.
• People who have the right to free-visa entry.
• Individuals who possess resident permits.
• Non-EU citizens who are spouses or children of citizens of Poland.
• EU citizens who hold Schengen issued by another country in the zone.

Who cannot obtain a Poland work visa permit?

Normally, a work visa permit is issued to every foreign citizen who secured employment with a polish company. However, some situations apart from a situation of questionable character can make one ineligible to obtain a Poland work permit visa.

Thus, people who cannot obtain a Poland work permit include individuals;

• Who are permanent residents of Poland, whether citizens or non-citizens, EU or non-EU.
• having refugee status.
• And victims of human trafficking.
• Who performs scientific research for at least 30 days per year.
• That are beneficiaries of temporary or humanitarian protection from Poland.

Types of work permits in Poland.

There exist about six different types of Poland work visas that can be issued to a foreign employee. The differences are a result of the duration of work and the type of work.

The several types of work visas available for foreigners (non-EU employees) seeking entry into Poland for employment include;

#1. Type A Work Permit:

Type A work visa is issued to a foreign employee of a Polish employer if the company you are to work for has its establishment in Poland.

#2. Type B Work Permit:

This work visa permit is issued to a board member residing in Poland between a period that exceeds six months but within 12 subsequent months.

#3. Type C Work Permit:

If you are a foreign citizen working for a Polish-based company with branches outside of Poland but have been sent to work in one of the branches in Poland.

#4. Type D Work Permit:

You are qualified for this Visa if a foreign employer temporarily sends you to work in export services.

#5. Type E Work Permit:

If the reason you are going to work in Poland doesn’t fall within the category mentioned earlier, you can apply for this permit.

#6. Type S (seasonal) Work Permit:

A foreign citizen who is to perform activities casually related to agriculture, hunting, fishing, forestry, catering and accommodation can apply for the seasonal work permit visa.

How long can a work visa last in Poland?

Poland’s work visa can last for a maximum of three years, but only if the user performs the work specified in the document. That is to say, the Poland work visa permit is no longer valid if you do not fulfill the position stated in the paper.

How much does it cost to acquire a Poland Work Visa?

Obtaining a Poland work permit costs about €80. And that is approximately PLN 380. The cost does not include other fees also.

Further addition, the work permit visa processing costs for Poland might amount to €3000, approximately PLN 14,200 or more. But in most cases, the cost of acquiring a Poland work visa is dependent on your employer’s visa processing agent.

You also pay a fee for issuing or extending a work permit. PLN 50 for a license valid for up to 3 months and PLN 100 for a more extended period. In addition, the fees are paid either through cash or bank transfer, online or physically at the nearest Poland embassy. But, payment in check is not accepted.

Criteria for obtaining a work visa in Poland

Obtaining a Poland work visa permit is from the embassy in your country. Also, you can be issued a work visa on arrival. However, not every country is eligible to receive a Poland work visa permit on arrival.

But all requirements and documentation must be complete, which is the most important thing.

What are the requirements?

Basically, in-depth knowledge of a country you wish to travel to is essential. This is because the knowledge you have helps you to better adapt yourself to the new environment. However, to travel to obtain a Poland work visa permit, you must have the following;

• A valid passport, most importantly. Without a valid passport, you cannot be issued a work visa in Poland and every other foreign country.
• Travel visa. A tourist visa is not acceptable.
• Travel Insurance.

Documents required to process a Polish work visa?

The documents you need include;

#1. A completed application form

That was obtained from the embassy or downloaded from the Polish government website.

#2. Proof of payment of application fees

Which must be submitted alongside other documents.

#3. A letter or declaration

That confirms the employer’s legal status and must be obtained from the National Court Register.

#4. Copies of the applicant’s passport pages

containing relevant travel data

#5. Copy of the applicant’s CV and passport photos.

A copy of your CV and passport photo are required with your application. The CV should be in English and include your name, address, contact information, education, work experience, and other relevant information. The passport photo should be a recent, passport-style photograph of you.

#6. Copies of degree or diploma or any other professional certificates.

A copy of degree or diploma certificate should proof that you have completed a specific level of education.

#7. Documents of professional references.

References from the company you lasted worked with. They must attest to your skills, work ethic, and character. Usually, references can be former bosses, co-workers, clients, or professors. Generally, you will provide a list of three to five references to a potential employer.

#8. An up-to-date record

Of the employer’s economic activity.

#9. A company deed

If the employer is a limited liability company or joint-stock company, for instance.

#10. Proof that the applicant has health insurance.

That is required for reasons of documentation.

#11. A copy of a profit or loss Statement.

That the employer incurred over some time.

#12. A copy of a contract pursuant

service provided in Poland

#13. Copy of a detailed job description

All documents must be translated into Polish. In addition, they must be obtained from the proper source. The documents may differ depending on the type of work visa and the province involved. 

Application process

The employer applies for the Polish work visa on behalf of the employee. That being said, it is the duty of the employee to make the necessary documents available to the employer. 

The office responsible for issuing work permits is, as in the case of Poland visas, the voivode’s office (a list of all 16 offices with their addresses)

The steps to apply for a work permit in Poland are as follows:

#1. The employer must conduct a labor market examination

To see if any Polish or EU citizen is qualified to fill the role.

#2. If no qualified job seekers are available,

The employer will sign an employment contract with the foreign candidate. After that, he should proceed with the application on his behalf.

#3. The employer must include documents

That confirms that the conditions of employment meet all applicable employment regulations, including articles of the Labor Code.

#4. Upon successful application,

The voivode will issue the work permit.

Asides from completing the application form for the foreigner, the employer must also;

• Explain to the foreign citizen the steps involved to obtain a Poland work permit visa. He should also educate him on any other event he needs to know about.
• Exercise due diligence in the procedure for issuing and extending the validity of the work permit
• Implement the contract conditions outlined in the work permit application with the employee. 
• Check the validity of the employer’s resident permit.
• Apart from that, the employer must also make a copy of the work permit visa. But this is only if the applicant has a resident permit.
• Notify social security and health insurance institutions within seven days of signing the employment contract. This gives foreign employees free healthcare, sick leave, and other social benefits.
• Inform the Voivode within seven days from the start date. If the foreigner does not start work within three months from the initial validity date of the work permit.
• If he stops work for a period exceeding three months or ends his career earlier than three months before the expiry of the work permit also.
• Once the work permit is issued, one copy is retained by the Voivodeship Office; two are transferred to the employer, who must give one copy to the foreigner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for a new work visa if I am changing jobs?

Yes, you must apply for a new work permit if you plan to change jobs.

What causes a delay in Poland’s work permit visa application?

Additional security and background clearances due to your citizenship are the most known causes of delay in Poland’s work permit visa application. Sometimes, the delay may be from the agency processing the document.

The maximum number of days for a free visa?

The maximum number of days for a free visa for EU countries is 180 days.

Which Poland work permit visa can be considered legal in Poland?

A Poland work permit visa is. certainly, considered to be legal is one stating the type of work assigned to the foreigner, the entity they work for, the position they occupy, and how long they will work in Poland.

Which type of work is considered legal in Poland?

Any work indicated in the Poland work permit visa is considered legal. That is to say that if the non-EU employee must work under conditions other than those specified in the Poland work permit visa, he must obtain a new permit.

Can you obtain a Poland work permit visa on arrival?

Yes, it is possible. A foreign citizen can obtain a Poland work permit visa on arrival provided they present an e-visa approved by the Poland immigration services and an application payment receipt. However, this is limited to foreign citizens whose country is eligible.

Can I get permanent residence in Poland before expiring my Poland work visa?

The answer is yes if and only if you have lived in Poland for at least five years, can speak the Polish language at B1 or higher level, and are certified. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, processing one’s work visa is a challenging task to do. But, with the proper education and knowledge becomes easy. It is costly too!

But, most importantly, the agency you work with in processing the Visa determines how long the process will take. It will also determine how much you will spend.