On 7th April 2023, an amendment to the Act on Foreigners and certain other laws entered into force (with the exception of certain regulations that will enter into force later). The new regulations adjust the national law to the union changes in the Schengen Information System and make other changes to the regulations, e.g. facilitating obtaining the EU long-term resident status.
Changes in the regulations regarding granting of residence permits for long-term resident of the European Union - knowledge of the Polish language
One of the requirements for granting a residence permits for long-term resident of the European Union is that the foreigner must have a confirmed knowledge of Polish at B1 level. The amending act will amend a provision of the Act on Foreigners which currently refers to an official certification of knowledge of the Polish language. Confirmation of knowledge of Polish language will be possible also by other certificates of proficiency in Polish language of at least B1 level. Their list will be set out in a regulation issued by the minister responsible for internal affairs.
Changes concerning the Polish travel document for foreigners
The amending act will introduce two groups of changes concerning the Polish travel document for foreigners. They are intended to improve the legal and actual situation of Belarusian citizens on the territory of Poland.
A new basis for the exemption of the fee for issuing a Polish travel document for a foreigner will be introduced. The exemption will apply to persons with the citizenship specified in the regulation of the minister responsible for internal affairs. These regulations entered into force on 23rd April 2023. The existence of the exemption will therefore depend entirely on whether a relevant ordinance is issued.
The Amendment Act will introduce a new alternative basis for issuing a Polish travel document to a foreigner. It is intended to ensure a faster and simplified issuing of such a document to foreigners who have difficulties in obtaining travel documents in their countries of nationality.
The applicability of this solution will depend on the issuing of a relevant regulation by the minister responsible for internal affairs. The above changes will come into force on 1st June 2023.
For more information, we encourage to read the announcement of the Head of the Office for Foreigners,
