Temporary residence permit for high qualified workers (EU Blue Card)

When should I apply?

You should apply for a temporary residence permit, the so-called EU Blue Card if you wish to stay in Poland for a period exceeding 3 months and your primary purpose of stay is work in a profession requiring high qualifications.

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.

If you are staying in Poland on the basis of:

  • a national visa, Schengen visa, or a visa issued by another Schengen state for the purpose of tourism or visiting family or friends;

  • a tolerated stay permit or a humanitarian stay permit;

  • asylum or temporary protection granted in the Republic of Poland;

and you submit an application for a temporary residence permit for employment in a highly qualified profession, your application will not be accepted, and the proceedings will not be initiated.

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 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.
  • Annex No 1 (download it here) to the application for the temporary residence permit should be fully completed and signed by an employer or a person authorised for representation of a company.

  • Annex No. 2 (download it here) to the application, completed in full by yourself together with an additional declaration regarding residence in another European Union Member State for at least 12 months on the basis of an EU Blue Card (declaration available for download).

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

PAY ONLINE

Documents required to be granted the residence permit:

The gross annual remuneration resulting from the monthly or annual remuneration specified in the agreement may not be lower than the equivalent of 150% of the average remuneration in the national economy in the year preceding the submitting an application for temporary residence.

What should I know?

Read our guide

This permit is granted for a period longer by 3 months than the period of work indicated in the application, but not longer than 3 years.

The permit entitles you to work only under the conditions specified therein.

From 1st January 2019, there are rules in force according to which a limit may be set on the number of temporary residences permits granted for the first time in a calendar year due to highly qualified employment. This limit may cover particular province, professions, types of agreements based on which you may be emloyed, or types of activity of an entity which employs you. In case the limit set out in the Regulation is reached, the permit may not be granted. Limits are announced in a given calendar year in the Official Journal of the Republic of Poland "Monitor Polski". There are currently no such limits implemented.

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. Read how to get a residence card

Did you find it useful?

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

Who, when can apply for a permit in order to perform work in a highly qualified profession?

The permit may be applied for by a foreigner whose purpose of stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland is to work in a profession requiring higher education or to have at least 5 years of professional experience in a given position. The condition for granting a residence permit for the...

read the whole answer...

What documents do I have to submit?

  • employment contract/order/work contract for a period of at least 1 year;

  • evidence of higher professional qualifications - diploma of graduation or evidence of 5 years of professional experience in a given position, e.g. certificate of employment;

  • ...

read the whole answer...

How long will I be allowed to work in a highly qualified profession?

The duration of the permit depends on the duration of your employment contract. If the agreement is valid for a period shorter than 3 years, the permit will be granted for a period of 3 months longer than the agreement, but not longer than 3 years. If the agreement is concluded for a period...

read the whole answer...

The diploma was issued in Ukraine - do I have to submit a translated document?

Yes, you must submit your diploma together with a translation made by a Polish sworn translator entered on the list of sworn translators issued by the...

read the whole answer...

What kind of evidence confirms higher professional qualifications?

As of June 1, 2025, the required documents are: a university diploma or documents confirming qualifications obtained through professional experience at a level comparable to higher education qualifications, necessary for performing the work specified in the employment contract — for example, a...

read the whole answer...