I am a spouse of a Polish citizen

When should I apply?

You should apply for a temporary residence permit if you wish to stay in Poland for a period exceeding 3 months and you remain in a marriage recognized by Polish law with a citizen of the Republic of Poland.

You should apply for a residence permit in person before your current legal status expires (i.e. before your visa or residence card expires).

If you apply to extend your stay in Poland before the expiry date of your legal status, you can legally remain in Poland while your application is pending. Make sure you have submitted an error-free application. Your passport must be valid at this time.

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

Where should I apply?

  1. Visit the website mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl and create an account.
  2. Review the information and the list of common mistakes.
  3. Fill out the application for a temporary residence permit.
  4. Include your email address in the application. Once your application is registered by the Office, you’ll receive an access code to track the status of your case.
  5. Print the application form and sign it.
  6. Send the printed form along with the required attachments via postal service to the Department for Foreigners in Poznań or one of our regional offices.

Submit the application no later than the last day of your legal stay in Poland. If you send the application via Poczta Polska, the date of submission will be the date it is posted at the post office.

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? 

Documents required to obtain a stamp in your passport (i.e. formal requirements)

  • Application completed in accordance with the instructions in 1 copy (application to be downloaded). You can receive a copy of your application form in our offices,
  • 4 photographs, 
  • A photocopy of a valid travel document (the original for inspection), in a particularly justified case, when you do not have a valid travel document and cannot obtain one, you may present another document confirming your identity.

To start the proceedings will also be needed confirmation that you have paid the stamp duty.

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Documents required to be granted the permit:

All documents are submitted in original / certified copy.

What should I know?

Read our guide

During the procedure we must check whether the marriage has not been entered into in order to circumvent the provisions related to granting the residence permit for a fixed period. You may be invited to an interview. In case if we need to clarify the evidence we have in the case, you may be asked to provide other documents or to testify confirming the circumstances that you indicated in the application and the circumstances regarding the purpose of marriage.

This permit entitles the spouse of a Polish citizen to perform work without any need of any additional work permit. Information on the possibility of taking up employment without a separate work permit can be found in the instructions on the decision to grant a temporary residence permit. The annotation "access to the labour market" is placed in the residence card issued in relation to this kind of residence permit.

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

The residence card is issued after you have received your decision with your permit.

Read more:  How to receive a residence card?

Did you find it useful?

Application check-list

Updated: 23-09-2024

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FAQ

I have a residence card/I applied for a residence card and I would like my family to come to Poland. How to legalise the stay of my husband/wife and children in Poland?

Check the conditions for granting temporary residence permit for family members: spouse, minor child.

 

I have been a holder of a residence card for over a year. My wife came to Poland and she is going to apply for a residence permit on the basis of „a stay with family”. Will the annotation “access to the labour market” be placed in her residence card?

If this is your first temporary residence card, your wife will not have the annotation “access to the labour market” placed in her card. Such annotation can only be placed in her card, if you have been staying in Poland for at least 2 years, on the basis of consecutive temporary residence...

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When should an application for a residence permit for a family member (of foreigner) who stays outside the territory of Poland be filed, and who can do it?

You can apply for a temporary residence permit on behalf of each family member who would like to reunite with you, but stays outside the territory of Poland, if you hold one of the entry and stay titles below:

  • a permanent residence permit,
  • a residence permit for long-term...
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Is it required to submit a certificate of enrolment/continuation of education (from school/ kindergarten) for a foreigner’s child?

  • No. It is not necessary. However, under certain circumstances, if some documents  need further clarification, you might be asked to submit such a certificate.
  • Remember that the period of compulsory education, imposed by law,  refers to any child under the age of 18 who stays in...
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What kind of documents confirming stable and regular source of income should be enclosed to the application for a foreigner’s child, if the application was filed by the child’s mother who remains unemployed and is dependent on her husband....

Documents confirming stable and regular source of income to be enclosed to the application for a foreigner’s child, if the application was filed by the child’s mother who remains unemployed and is dependent on her husband, who is not the child’s legal guardian:

  • If the child’s mother...
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