Researcher's mobility

You should apply if you have a residence permit issued by another Member State of the European Union with the annotation ‘Researcher’, and you will conduct part of scientific research or development in a scientific unit established in Poland approved by the Minister responsible for internal affairs.

If you conduct part of the scientific research or development project in the scientific unity in Poland approved by the Minister responsible for internal affairs, you can benefit from the mobility of a short-term researcher in the territory of Poland within a period not exceeding 180 days in any period of 360 days, notably from the possibility of benefiting from this mobility in other Member State EU.
It is enough if you notify the Head of the Office for Foreigners about your intention to use this form of mobility. The notification to the Head of the Office for Foreigners sends the scientific unit from the country that issued the residence permit with the annotation 'scientist'.

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 completing the application forms.

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 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 a valid travel document (the original for inspection), in a particularly justified case, when you do not have any valid travel document and you are not able to obtain one, you may present another document confirming your identity.

• To start the proceedings you also need the confirmation of the stamp duty payment.

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Documents required to be granted the permit:

• photocopy of the residence card or long-stay visa with the annotation of ‘scientist’ issued by another EU country;
• contract concerning the admission of a scientist for the purpose of conducting scientific research or development projects concluded with a scientific unit based in Poland;
• a written statement by the scientific unit in which it undertakes to the issue and implementation of the decision to oblige the foreigner to return;
• proof of health insurance:
• proof of residence;
• a document confirming the sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of living in Poland and return travel for the duration of scientific research of development projects, after deduction of the cost of residence;
• a declaration regarding housing costs (download it here).

Read our guide

The permit is granted for a period not longer than 3 years.

This permit entitles you to perform work without the need to obtain an additional work permit.

The residence card is issued after you have received your decision with your permit. Read How to receive my residence card?