When to apply?
You apply for your minor child if you are a foreigner, you have one of the following residence titles, and you want to obtain a temporary residence permit for your minor children who live with you in Poland:
- permanent residence permit,
- residence permit for a long-term resident of the EU,
- a refugee status,
- a subsidiary protection,
- a temporary residence permit for at least 2 years, including immediately before submitting an application for a temporary residence permit for a minor child - for a period of stay of not less than 1 year,
- temporary residence permit granted for the purpose of conducting scientific research,
- temporary residence permit for the purpose of highly qualified profession,
- temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work under an intra-corporate transfer,
- temporary residence permit in order to use long-term mobility,
- permission to stay for humanitarian reasons.
If the child is a minor, parents or legal guardians appointed by the court shall appply on his behalf (or one of the parents or one of the guardians appointed by the court).
If your child is already in Poland, they should apply for a residence permit in person before their current legal status expires (i.e. before their visa or residence card expires). If your child is a minor of 6 years old or over on the day of the application, their presence is required at the office.
Before you apply, read our tips on how to fill out an application form.
Where should I apply?
You may apply in person at the Department for Foreigners in Poznań or one of the office's delegations: Book your visit
If you cannot apply in person before your current legal status expires, please send your application by post to meet the deadline.
What counts is the date of postage at the post office.
If you apply by post, and your child is 6 years old or over on the day of the application, your next step is to visit the office in person to give their fingerprints.
During your visit, you may also file other documents that are required to get a stamp in your passport.
What documents do I need?
If the child is already in Poland:
Documents required to obtain a stamp in your passport (i.e. formal requirements)
- Application form - fill in the on-line application or fill in the application in accordance with the instructions in 1 copy (application to be downloaded).
- 4 photographs,
- A photocopy of the child's valid travel document (the original for inspection), in a particularly justified case, when a child does not have a valid travel document and he or she is not able to obtain one, you may present another document confirming his/her identity.
To start the proceedings will also be needed confirmation that you have paid the stamp duty.
Documents required to be granted the residence permit:
- a copy of the parent's residence permit
- child's birth certificate
- Health insurance
- Stable and regular source of income
- a document confirming accommodation in Poland
All documents are submitted in original / certified copy.
If the child resides abroad at the time of apllication:
Documents required to start the procedure:
- Application form - filled in 1 copy as per instruction (download here) and signes by a parent residing in Poland. Application forms are also available in all of our offices.
- 4 photographs,
- A photocopy of the child's valid travel document (the original for inspection), in a particularly justified case, when a foreigner does not have a valid travel document and he or she is not able to obtain one, you may present another document confirming his/her identity.
To start the proceedings will also be needed confirmation that you have paid the stamp duty.
Documents required to be granted the residence permit:
- a copy of the parent's residence permit
- child's birth certificate
- Health insurance
- Stable and regular source of income
- a document confirming accommodation in Poland
All documents are submitted in original / certified copy.
What should I know?
The requirement of stable and regular source of income is also considered to be met if the costs of maintaining the child are covered by the parent who resides in Poland.
During the procedure for granting a temporary residence permit to a child of a foreigner, we determine whether the relationship with the parent residing in Poland is real and permanent. During the proceedings 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 your child's stay.
If the child resides outside the Republic of Poland, after obtaining a temporary residence permit in order to reunite with the family, you should apply for a visa for your child to enter Poland. After arriving in Poland, you should apply for a residence card for the child, based on the residence permit they have been granted.
I have received my decison - how to get my residence card now?
The residence card is issued after obtaining a positive decision on granting the permit. When a residence card issued to a minor over 13 years of age is collected, his/her presence is required. When a residence card has been issued to a minor under 13 years of age by the date of its receipt, the card shall be collected by his legal representative or guardian.
Read more:
How to receive a card when your child was already in Poland at the time of application
How to receive a card when your child was abroad at the time of application
Application check-listUpdated: 12-12-2022
