How to Get a Poland Work Visa?

Poland Work Visa

Complete guide to obtaining a work visa and permit in Poland, including required documents, steps to take, and frequently asked questions.
A short trip to Poland is one thing, but working there will necessitate a little more preparation and planning. If you have a job lined up in Poland, you will almost certainly require a Poland work visa.
The Poland work visa is a long-term (Polish national) visa that allows non-EU citizens to work in Poland.

Do I Need a Visa to Work in Poland?

To work in Poland, anyone who is not a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland must obtain a visa. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen and want to work in Poland for more than three months, all you need to do is register your stay at a local registration office. Registering your stay is not a visa application process; rather, it is a notification to Polish authorities that you wish to stay and work in Poland for an extended period of time.

Before applying for a work visa, you need to know about which work permit you should apply for. The types of Poland work permits are:

• Work Permit A. It is required if you have a job offer from a business registered in Poland. This work permit is given to you under the condition that you will obtain a valid residence permit.
• Work Permit B. This permit is required if you are employed as a board member and will be residing in Poland for a period exceeding six months.
• Work Permit C. If you are delegated to Poland by a foreign employer for longer than 30 days to work for their Polish branch.
• Work Permit D. If a foreign employer delegates you to Poland to work in export services. The foreign employer must not have a Polish branch.
• Work Permit S. This permit is required if a foreign employer sends you to Poland for agricultural, hunting, fishing, or accommodation activities.

Poland Work Visa Requirements

The documents required for a Poland work visa application are:

• Valid passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least another six months; more if the embassy requires.
• Visa application form. You must fill out the form via the e-Konsulat system (the Polish consular website), print it, and sign it.
• Colored photos of yourself. Photo dimensions and requirements should fulfill the Schengen visa photo guidelines.
• Flight itinerary. You must submit proof that you have purchased or at least booked a flight to Poland.
• Proof of travel health insurance. Once you arrive in Poland, you will have to register for long-term health insurance, either with the Polish national health fund or a private insurance company. However, for the initial work visa application, you will be required to submit proof of travel health insurance covering at least €30,000.
• Proof of accommodation. You must submit proof that you have a place to live in Poland during your stay.
• Original and copied version of the work permit. Your employer will send you the work permit which they applied for on your behalf.
• Employment letter. You must submit the original letter of employment, signed by your employee and stating your position, salary, and other details of your employment.
• Work experience certificate or CV. Submit an updated copy of your CV and any certificates that attest to your work experience in the position you are applying for.
• Police clearance certificate. You must prove that you do not have a criminal background.

Remember: The Polish consulate or embassy may ask you to provide additional documents, depending on each specific case.

How to Get a Poland Work Visa?

The steps for applying for a Poland work visa are:

1. Your employer applies for a work permit on your behalf. 
2. You apply for a work visa at the Polish embassy.
3. Enter Poland and start working.

Applying for a Poland Work Permit

If you plan to start working in Poland, a Polish employer needs to apply for a work permit on your behalf at the local Voivodeship office (Governor’s Office in Poland). The employer must submit documents, such as

• The application form. 
• Proof of paid application fees.
• Proof of the legal status of the employer. The documentation should be issued from the NCR (National Court Register).
• Records of the employer’s economic activity.
• Copy of the employee’s passport pages.
• Proof of the employee’s health insurance.
• Deed for the company.
• Statements that show profits or losses made by the employer.
• Copy of the work contract.

After the work permit has been granted, your employer will forward it to you, along with your work contract and any other documents, so you can apply for a work visa.

Applying for a Poland Work Visa

Once you have been granted permission to work in Poland, you can apply for a work visa from the Polish Embassy in your home country. You can use this visa to travel to Poland for work and then apply for a temporary or permanent residence permit. To apply for a work visa in Poland, you must complete the following steps:

1. Locate the nearest Polish Embassy or Consulate. You can determine which embassy to apply to through the e-Konsulat website (the Polish consular services website), as well as complete an application form.
2. Make a visa appointment. You can set up an appointment through the e-Konsulat website or by contacting the embassy or consulate directly. Make sure you set up an appointment sufficiently in advance.
3. Collect the required documents.
4. Submit the application. On the date of your appointment, you have to show up on time, submit the required documents, and (if required) attend a visa interview.

Entering Poland and Starting to Work

You must present your documents (whether physical or digital) to the border control before entering Poland. After entering Poland, you must register your place of residence at the local city council district office within four days.

You can begin working once you have registered your address and obtained a residence card.

How Long Does it Take to Get a Poland Work Visa?

It may take up to six weeks for the Polish embassy or consulate to process your work visa application. Because of the importance of the visa type, you should apply for your Poland work visa at least two months before your trip.

Poland Work Visa Fees

The Poland work visa fees are:

You have to pay for the visa on your own unless your employer volunteers to sponsor your work visa. The employer is not obligated to pay for the visa fee for the employee; however, most employers in Europe do pay for the work permit. Make sure to contact your employer for more information.

If you are not from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you must get a residence card. The fee for the residence card is €11.

How Long Can I Stay in Poland With a Work Visa?

The Polish work visa is only valid for three months, during which you have to apply for a residence permit for you to stay longer.

Poland Work Permit Validity

The validity of your work permit depends on the employment contract given to you by the employer. If for example, your employer wants to employ you for two years, then your residence and work permits will be valid for that time.

Extending a Poland Work Visa

Your employer can extend your Poland work visa by renewing your contract. If you want to extend your work visa, you must do so 30 days before your work visa expires. Your employer may apply for an extension of your work permit at the local Voivodship Office or online via the praca.gov.pl portal.

What If I Want to Change My Job?

If you have a temporary residence permit and want to change jobs, your new employer must apply at the Voivodeship Office for a new work permit. Your temporary work and residence permit is linked to a specific employer.

If you are a permanent resident of Poland, you can change jobs without your new employer having to obtain a work permit on your behalf.

Can I Bring Family Members in Poland?

If you are working in Poland with a temporary work permit of at least two years, then your family members can apply for a Polish family reunification visa. If your family members are granted a family reunification visa, they can live with you in Poland for the duration of your work permit.

Poland Seasonal Work Visa

A seasonal work permit is given when you are employed for work activities that do not exceed nine months in a year. A seasonal work permit is usually given to foreigners who want to work in Poland during the summer. To stay in Poland with a seasonal work visa, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit as well.

A temporary residence permit due to seasonal work can be given if you:

• Want to enter the territory of Poland to perform seasonal work.
• Have a stable and regular income.
• Have health insurance.
• Have proof of accommodation.

The fee for applying for a seasonal work permit is €6.63.