Poland Work Visa Requirements

A work permit and residence visa is a necessary requirement for the majority of foreign nationals intending to reside and engage in fulltime employment in a foreign country.  The individual is legally required to obtain official authorisation to legally partake in full time employment in a country where he/she may not necessarily have the right to work/reside in.  Typically a work visa will be in the form a standard document or more commonly, a stamp in your passport.  The application process for obtaining a visa can be a highly time consuming experience.  Depending on your nationality you may not be required to obtain a work visa. Generally all jurisdictions with reciprocal treaty agreements do not stipulate that an individual must obtain a work visa for undertaking employment in those countries. Each jurisdiction provides set conditions which need to be satisfied in order to be approved a work visa and residence permit.

Who requires a Poland Work Visa?

Due to Poland’s EU and Schengen membership status, all EU citizens are entitled to reside and engage in employment in Poland visa free for a period of up to 90 days.  After the initial 90 days are up and the applicant intends to remain in Poland they are not required to seek a work permit however they must register with the relevant authority their right to reside in the country.  The freedom of movement act under EU Law allows for all EU citizens to move freely between EU member states and take up legal employment within these regions.

Non-EU citizens (foreign nationals) are required to obtain a residence permit entitling them to live and work in Poland prior to entering the country and commencing full time employment.

Polish Residence/Work Permit

A Polish work permit is also known as a polish residence visa as the residence visa entitles the applicant to engage in full time employment in Poland.  Poland only issues one type of residence/work permit for both the authorization of residency and employment in Poland.

Poland has also engaged in a ‘youth mobility agreement’ with Canada and New Zealand where by Poland provides for applicants between the ages of 18 and 35 years of age to visit Poland for a period of 12 consecutive months.  Under this program, citizens of New Zealand and Canada are eligible to undertake temporary employment as a means to finance their stay in Poland.

Categories of Polish Work Permits

Type A – applicable to foreign nationals undertaking work on the territory of Poland

Type B – applicable to foreign nationals who are at management level

Type C – applicable to foreign nationals who are to under employment transfer from their foreign company to their branch in Poland

Type D – Applicable to foreign nationals sent to Poland on a contracted assignment on a temporary basis or ad hoc nature.

Type E – applicable to foreign nationals employed by a foreign company who is sent to Poland for a maximum period of 3 months to perform work related activities for their employer

Application for a Poland Work Permit/Residence Visa for Non-EU nationals

For a foreign national to relocate and engage in full time employment in Poland they must first receive a concrete job offer from a Polish registered company.  This sponsor company must also agree to apply for the applicants work permit on their behalf as the individual cannot commence employment until he/she receives an approved work permit.

It should be noted that the likeliness of obtaining a work permit depends largely on the type of work you will be undertaking.  If the relevant authorities believe there are enough skilled polish citizens who could undertake that particular job then the permit will not be granted.  Generally, the type of work you will undertake should be within a specialist area and you should have a high level of experience of specialist knowledge in the area.

Exemptions of obtaining a Polish Visa for Foreign Nationals

Under certain circumstances, some non-EU citizens are eligible to undertake employment in Poland without the need to acquire a work permit. The exemption to obtaining a work permit does not extend to obtaining the relevant visa to enter and live in Poland legally.

The categories of individuals include;

- Professional and famous artists/entertainers

- Employees of a foreign company on business assignments in Poland

- Students (intending to work for no more than 3 months per annum)

- Individuals in Poland for the purposes of giving a presentation, speech or lecture

- Member of the Clergy

- Employees of international companies sent to Poland for training purposes (maximum 3 month validity)

- Soldier and NATO personnel based in Poland

- Researchers intending to undertake research project for a Polish institution

Required Documents for application of a Polish Visa

- Valid passport

- Completed visa application form, signed accordingly

- 2 x passport photos

- Documentation demonstrating the applicant’s immigration status

- Submission of relevant visa application fee

- Letter from applications Sponsor Company detailing their intent to hire you

- Copy of applicants’ employment contract

- Documentation proving your educational and professional qualifications (work permit application)

- CV (detailing your previous working experiences)

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