I have a Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka)

When should I apply?

You should apply if you hold a valid Pole's Card (Karta Polaka) and you wish to settle in Poland permanently.

You must submit your application for a permanent residence permit only in electronic form via MOS, no later than on the last day of your legal stay in Poland.
Applications submitted in any other way than through MOS will not be examined. This means that if a foreign national, or someone acting on their behalf, tries to submit the application without following these procedures, the application will not have any legal effect. This also applies if the official application form is submitted in paper form to the voivode, or electronically to the voivode’s electronic delivery address or electronic inbox.

If you submit your application on time and it does not contain any formal deficiencies — or if you correct any deficiencies within the deadline indicated by us — your stay in Poland will remain legal from the date of effective submission via MOS until the decision in your case becomes final.

Before submitting your application, please read our guidelines on how to complete the application forms.

Before you apply, read our tips on how to fill in an application form.

How should I apply?

From 27 April 2026, applications may only be submitted through the Case Handling Module (MOS) portal.
  1. Go to mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl via login.gov.pl and create an account.
  2. Read the requirements for the specific type of permit and purpose of stay, and gather all documents needed to complete the application in MOS.
Don’t have a Trusted Profile yet? First obtain a PESEL ID number and then create a Trusted Profile. You will also need a Trusted Profile to set up an electronic e-Delivery mailbox, which is necessary for receiving correspondence from the Office and submitting additional documents in your case.
  1. Complete the application for a permanent residence permit by following the instructions displayed on the screen.
  2. In the application, provide an email address where you will receive an access code to check the status of your case once your application has been registered by the Office.
  3. You must attach a digital biometric photograph, scans/photos of all pages of your travel document, and confirmation of payment of the stamp duty fee.
  4. Sign the application using a Trusted Signature or a qualified electronic signature. If you are acting as a legal representative (for example, as a parent, guardian, or custodian), you may sign the application using a Trusted Signature, a qualified electronic signature, or a personal signature.
  5. After submitting the application, download the Official Acknowledgement of Receipt (UPO), which confirms that your application has been submitted. Keep this document safe.
Important: if you do not receive the UPO, it means that your application has not been successfully submitted.

The next step will be an in-person appointment to submit your fingerprints. During the visit, you will also complete other documents required to obtain a stamp in your passport.

Learn how to submit fingerprints.
Learn how to track the status of your case.

What documents do I need?

  • an application completed online in the Case Handling Module,

  • 1 digital photograph,

  • scans/photos of all pages of a valid travel document (original available for inspection). In particularly justified cases, if you do not possess a valid travel document and are unable to obtain one, you may scan another document confirming your identity,

Applications for permanent residence permit are statutorily exempted from stamp duty fees if you hold a valid Pole's Card. 

Documents needed to grant the permit:

All documents are submitted in original / certified copy.

What should I know?

Read our guide

The permit is issued for an indefinite period. This permit entitles you to work without a work permit.

I have received my decison - how to get my residence card now?

We will issue your residence card as soon as your permit is granted and you return us your Pole's Card.
Read How to receive residence card

Did you find it useful?

Application check-list

Updated: 18-05-2026

Report an error on this page / Leave feedback

CAPTCHA
This task is for testing whether or not you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Leave feedback

FAQ

Can all foreigners be granted permanent residence?

Permanent residence permit applies to foreigners whose primary purpose of stay is not for economic reasons. Persons such as: spouses of Polish citizens, persons of Polish origin, children of persons who already have a permanent residence permit or l...

read the whole answer...

After how many years of stay in Poland can I get permanent residence?

It depends on the reasons for your stay in Poland so far:

There is no time limit in the following cases:

  • after receiving the asylum decision,
  • in the case of a child of a foreigner who has been granted a permanent residence permit or
  • long-term resident's EU...
read the whole answer...

I am a citizen of Ukraine, my family is of Polish origin - can I apply for permanent residence?

You will be considered a person of Polish origin if you declare Polish nationality and meet the following conditions jointly:

  • At least one of your parents or grandparents or two great grandparents were of Polish nationality,
  • and show your relationship with Polishness....
read the whole answer...

How long can I stay outside Poland to be still entitled to obtain a permanent residence permit?

During the period required to apply for a permanent residence permit, you may stay outside Poland for a maximum of 6 months at a time, and all your stays outside Poland may not exceed 10 months.

Find out what...

read the whole answer...

What does uninterrupted residence in Poland mean?

See Uninterrupted residence in our Glossary.