Parent holds a visa/temporary residence permit

You should apply if you are a foreigner and you hold a valid visa or a temporary residence permit and you had a child in Poland.

The application on behalf of a minor child is submitted by parents or guardians appointed by the court, or one of the parents or one of the guardians appointed by the court. The child will not receive a stamp in the passport confirming the submission of the application. Children born in Poland will be legally in Poland only after their temporary residence permit is granted.

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

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.

Documents required to start the procedure (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 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 needed to grant the permit:

• copy of the visa / temporary residence permit of the parent with whom the child resides in Poland,
• a birth certificate,
• health insurance,
• confirmation of having accommodation provided,
• source of stable and regular income

All documents are submitted in original / certified copy.

Read our guide

Temporary residence permit for a child is granted for a period corresponding to the period of validity of the visa / temporary residence permit of the parent, but not longer than 3 years.

The requirement to have a stable and regular source of income is also considered to be met if the costs of maintaining the child will be covered by the parent who resides in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

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 how to get a residence card