PolandWork residence permit

Single work permit in Poland

The permit combines the right of residence with the right to work for foreign nationals who have concluded an employment contract with an employer in Poland for a period of more than three months. It is available to a worker who is already in the country lawfully. The salary must match the minimum wage for work. The permit is tied to the named employer and position stated in the document.

Source: gov.pl — Pobyt czasowy i praca

Who this programme suits

The permit is intended for foreign nationals already lawfully present in Poland who plan to work for more than three months. The key conditions are a valid employment contract and the minimum level of pay.

You qualify if

You are already in Poland on lawful grounds
You have concluded a contract with a Polish employer for more than 3 months
Your salary is not lower than the minimum wage for work
You are able to file the application before the last day of your lawful stay

What you receive

A single permit for residence and work for up to 3 years
The right to work for the named employer in the stated position
The ability to renew the permit when it expires
No need to obtain a separate work permit

How you file

Exclusively online through the MOS 2 portal
You prepare the documents together with the employer
You file no later than the last day of your lawful stay
You pay the state fee to the account details given by the authority

When this programme will not suit you

You are in Poland unlawfully or your stay has come to an end

You first need to restore or obtain lawful residence status; contact the local authority for foreigners

You plan to work for less than 3 months

Work on a tourist visa or apply for a short-term work permit

The employer cannot confirm the required salary

Agree contract terms so that the pay is not below the minimum; if that is impossible, consider another job

The occupation is on the restricted list for your poviat

Check the register of restricted occupations with the poviat administrator (starosta)

Documents to gather

Prepare the documents both yourself and together with the employer. The application is filed exclusively electronically through MOS 2.

The completed application form (wniosek)
Attachment No. 1 (Załącznik nr 1), completed by the employer
Two current photographs
A copy of a valid passport or other identity document
Proof of health insurance, or of cover through the employer
Proof of payment of the state fee (opłata skarbowa)
For regulated professions: documents on professional qualifications

How the process runs

The procedure breaks down into several stages: preparing the documents with the employer, paying the fee, filing electronically through MOS 2 and awaiting the decision.

1
Agreeing the terms with the employer
usually several days
The employer completes Attachment No. 1, stating the position, the salary (not below the minimum) and the job duties. Make sure the level of pay matches the minimum wage for work.
2
Preparing the documents
several days
Gather your own documents (passport, photographs, proof of insurance and, where necessary, diplomas). Make sure every paper is current. For regulated professions, certificates of qualification may be required.
3
Paying the state fee
on the day of filing or before it
Check the amount of the fee in the authority's table (Urząd Wojewódzki Podlaski) and make the transfer to the account details given. Keep the proof of payment.
4
Filing electronically through MOS 2
on the day of filing
The application is filed exclusively through the MOS 2 portal (myportal.gov.pl) in electronic form. The deadline is no later than the last day of your lawful stay. Attach all scanned documents and the proof of payment of the fee.
5
Awaiting the examination
no timeline is stated on the authority's page
After filing, wait for the decision. It is advisable to check the status from time to time through your personal account on MOS 2. If the documents need to be checked, the authority will contact you.
6
Receiving the decision and the permit
after approval
If the decision is positive, the permit is issued for a period of more than 3 months and up to 3 years. The document is issued as a declaration of lawful stay (zaświadczenie o zgodzie na pobyt czasowy). Once it expires you may apply for a further permit.

Timelines and rights

Work

The right to work only on the terms set out in the permit: the named employer, position and remuneration.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

From 27 April 2026 applications are filed exclusively electronically through the MOS 2 portal; paper applications are not accepted, save for individual exceptions.

Once the permit expires (it runs from more than 3 months to 3 years) you may apply for a new one, provided the terms of employment remain the same or have changed only slightly. The filing procedure mirrors the first application: preparing the documents, paying the fee and filing electronically through MOS 2. It is advisable to file the renewal application some time before the current permit expires. If the employer or the position changes, a new permit is required.

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.

	Single work permit	Karta pobytu	Blue Card
Visa term	More than 3 months and no more than 3 years, with the option of applying for further permits	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
Money	Monthly remuneration may not be lower than the minimum wage for work (minimalne wynagrodzenie za pracę)	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	The right to work only on the terms set out in the permit: the named employer, position and remuneration	On a card issued on employment grounds — with the named employer; permanent residence — full access	Yes, in the highly qualified occupation with the employer

Frequently asked questions about Single work permit

For how many years is the permit issued?

The residence and work permit is issued for a period of more than 3 months and no more than 3 years. The exact term depends on the employer's needs and the nature of the work. Once it expires you may apply for further permits.

What is the minimum salary required?

Your monthly remuneration may not be lower than the minimum wage for work set in Poland (minimalne wynagrodzenie za pracę). The specific amount in zloty is set out in a separate table published by the authority and may change each year.

How is the application filed — on paper or online?

From 27 April 2026 the application is filed exclusively electronically through the MOS 2 portal (myportal.gov.pl). Paper applications are left without examination, save in particular cases (family reunification, intra-corporate transfer where the applicant is outside Poland). Make sure you use the electronic route.

What is the deadline for filing the application?

The application must be filed no later than the last day of your lawful stay in Poland. If you miss that deadline the application may be rejected and you will have to leave the country or take additional steps to restore your status.

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.