PolandRepatriation

Repatriation in Poland

The right to move to Poland for people of Polish descent who previously lived in the countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia or in Asian Russia. The residence document is issued for one year for adaptation and permanent settlement. Citizenship is acquired on the day the border is crossed.

Source: gov.pl — Uzyskaj wizę krajową w celu repatriacji

A repatriate's route to Poland

The process consists of preliminary preparation, filing the application and adaptation in the country.

Who qualifies

A person of Polish descent (one parent or two grandparents were Polish)
Does not hold Polish citizenship
Lived before 1 January 2001 in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or Asian Russia

What you will need

A valid passport
A birth certificate (a copy)
Documents on marital status

Conditions of admission

Proof of accommodation for 12 months or a place at an adaptation centre
Proof of a stable income or a guarantee from a relative who is a citizen for 24 months
Documents on Polish descent (in accordance with the Repatriation Act)

When this programme will not suit you

You already hold Polish citizenship

The programme is only for people without a Polish passport

You cannot prove Polish descent

Documentary proof of the Polish descent of your ancestors is required

You lived in a different region before 2001

The programme covers only the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Asian part of Russia

Documents to gather

The visa package is prepared with the consulate. All copies must be certified.

An application on the consulate's form
A colour photograph measuring 35×45 mm (no more than 6 months old)
A curriculum vitae (life history)
A copy of the birth certificate
Documents on marital status (marriage or divorce certificate, where applicable)
A valid passport
Evidence of Polish descent (in accordance with article 6 of the Repatriation Act)
A written declaration as to the truth of the information given

How the process runs

The process may take several months and includes a consular interview.

1
Preparing the documents and gathering the evidence
1-2 months
Gather all the required documents, paying particular attention to the evidence of Polish descent. Have the copies certified by a notary. Prepare the additional documents on funding (an employment contract or a guarantee from a relative).
2
Filing the application at the consulate
1-2 weeks
Apply to the Polish consulate for your place of residence. Submit the complete package of documents. The consulate will check that it is complete and begin the examination.
3
Consular interview
1-3 months
The consul will hold an interview to confirm your Polish descent, your reasons for moving and your financial stability. Further documents may be required.
4
Referral to the ministry and approval
2-4 months
After a positive recommendation from the consul, the material is passed to the Ministry of the Interior and Administration for a final decision.
5
Issue of the visa
1-2 weeks
Once the minister has approved it, the consul issues you with a visa in the form of a sticker in your passport. The visa is valid for 12 months.
6
Arrival in Poland and registration
the first 30 days
Cross the border and register with the local civil status office (Urząd Stanu Cywilnego). Register at your place of residence and apply to the voivodeship office for confirmation of citizenship.

Timelines and rights

Work

A repatriate arrives already a Polish citizen and therefore works without permits. The adaptation centre provides accommodation for 90 days and extends it for a further 90 if you have been unable to start work through no fault of your own.

Who you can bring with you

Family members may be included in the application in certain circumstances.

Spouse (without Polish descent)

May be included in a separate application if already married to the repatriate. Their own financial proof is required.

Children (under 18 or students)

May be entered in the parent's passport without a document of their own, or obtain their own visa. They must be named in the applicant's family documents.

Adult children (18 and over)

May file separate applications if they prove their own Polish descent and meet all the requirements of the programme.

Parents (over 62) or people with disabilities

May be included in separate applications, but are not covered by the repatriate's guarantee. Their own financial provision is required.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

You are not required to have lived in Poland beforehand — the requirement is the opposite. Before 1 January 2001 you must have lived in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan or the Asian part of Russia.

The repatriation visa is not renewable. After arriving in Poland you acquire citizenship on the day you cross the border and receive an identity card (dowód osobisty) valid for 10 years. For continued residence you use an internal passport or identity card.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Repatriation	Karta pobytu	Blue Card
Visa term	The visa is valid for 12 months from the date of issue; you must enter Poland within that time	Karta czasowego for 1-3 years, renewable; karta stałego is open-ended (the card is replaced every 10 years)	Up to 3 years (the term of employment plus 3 months), renewable
Grounds	The return home of people of Polish descent; one of the ways of acquiring Polish citizenship	Employment / business / marriage	High qualifications
Money	You must confirm accommodation and means of support for at least 12 months, or a place at an adaptation centre	Salary not below the minimum wage; funds for living costs and accommodation; for business — income	Salary not below 150% of the average annual salary in Poland (indexed by GUS)
Work	A repatriate arrives already a Polish citizen and therefore works without permits	On a card issued on employment grounds — with the named employer; permanent residence — full access	Yes, in the highly qualified occupation with the employer
Residence	You are not required to have lived in Poland beforehand — the requirement is the opposite	For permanent residence: absences of no more than about 6 months in a row / 10 months over 5 years	Intention to stay for longer than 3 months

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

There is no need to go through permanent residence. A repatriate acquires citizenship by operation of law on the day they cross the Polish border: the date in the border stamp is the date of acquisition.

Route to citizenship

Polish citizenship is acquired by operation of law. After entry you need to transcribe your civil status records, obtain confirmation of citizenship, register your place of residence and obtain a PESEL number.

Frequently asked questions about Repatriation

How much does the repatriation visa cost?

The repatriation visa is issued free of charge. There is no consular fee for it. Costs arise only in connection with preparing the documents, translation, notarial certification and living costs while the application is processed.

Can someone without proof of Polish descent apply?

No. The programme requires documentary proof of Polish descent in accordance with article 6 of the Repatriation Act. This may take the form of baptismal records, documents on the citizenship of ancestors, letters or archive certificates. Without evidence the application will be refused.

Which regions of Russia does the programme cover?

Only the Asian part of Russia. This includes Siberia, the Far East, the Urals and other regions east of the Ural range. If you lived in the European part of Russia, you do not qualify for the repatriation programme.

What will happen to my citizenship after I arrive in Poland?

You will acquire Polish citizenship on the day you cross the border. If you held the citizenship of another country, it may be lost under the laws of that country. It is advisable to check the rules on dual citizenship with your own consulate.

How long is the visa valid after it is issued?

The visa is valid for exactly 12 months from the date of issue. Within that period you must cross the Polish border and register. Once that period expires the visa ceases to be valid.

Can I work in Poland on a repatriation visa?

Yes, you may start work immediately after arrival without any permits, because you acquire citizenship on the day you cross the border. The repatriation visa is a residence document under which you are already a Polish citizen.

Other ways to move to Poland

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Poland.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.