Work-based residence permit
Employment is the most common ground for a Karta Pobytu: the single permit (zezwolenie jednolite) covers both your stay and your work, and it fits not only umowa o pracę, but also umowa zlecenia and umowa o dzieło. We help you go through the whole process so you can focus on your job.
Do you meet the requirements for a work-based Karta Pobytu?
To obtain a residence permit, you need to meet certain criteria — both as an applicant and in the documents you submit. Below are three key conditions; if you meet them, we can help prepare a complete document package for a work-based residence permit.
Employment
Work in Poland for longer than 3 months under umowa o pracę (UoP), umowa zlecenie (UoZ), or umowa o dzieło (UoD). Seasonal work and posting by a foreign employer don't qualify — separate procedures exist for those.
Salary
Not less than 4 806 zł gross/mo. or 31,40 zł gross/hr (from 01.01.2026). Income from several employers is added together. At the same time, the salary must not be lower than that of Polish employees in comparable positions.
Work permit
To work legally in Poland, you need an oświadczenie or a zezwolenie na pracę. Some foreigners are exempt from this requirement — for example, Ukrainian citizens, students and graduates of Polish universities, and other categories.
The minimum salary is regularly indexed.
Work-based Karta Pobytu or Blue Card?
If your salary is above the Blue Card threshold, it's worth comparing both routes: the Blue Card gives noticeably more rights for the same effort.
| Work-based Karta Pobytu (jednolite zezwolenie) | EU Blue Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Salary threshold (2026) | min. salary 4806 zł gross per month or 31,40 zł gross per hour | 13 355,34 zł gross (150% of the national average) |
| Qualification requirement | None | Diploma (3+ years of study) or experience: 3 years for IT/engineers, 5 years for others |
| Tied to employer | Yes | No |
| Sole proprietorship (JDG) in parallel | Limited by the card's basis | Can be run alongside your main job (since 01.06.2025) |
| Changing employer | Notification to the voivode within 15 working days + amendment of the decision (zmiana zezwolenia) | Notification only — the decision is not tied to the employer (since 01.06.2025) |
| Job loss | 30 days to find a new job | Protected job-search period: 3 months (card tenure under 2 years) or 6 months |
| Working in other EU countries | No (only Schengen travel 90/180) | Business trips 90/180 + relocation to another EU country |
| Family | Labor-market access and the right to run a sole proprietorship after 2 years on consecutive cards | Labor-market access and the right to run a sole proprietorship from the moment the residence permit is granted |
Earning more than 13 355 zł gross? Check out our EU Blue Card page — this route is almost always more advantageous.
What the work-based card gives you
A single permit
Residence and the right to work — granted by a single decision of the voivode. There's no need to apply for a separate zezwolenie na pracę: the card replaces both documents.
Legal stay while your case is pending
From the moment you file through MOS, your stay is legal right up to the decision — confirmed by an electronic certificate from the system, even if your previous visa has expired.
Schengen travel
With a Karta Pobytu, you can travel freely across Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180 — no visa needed for vacations or short trips.
Changing jobs without starting over
A new employer means amending the existing decision (zmiana zezwolenia), not filing from scratch. The key is to notify the voivode within 15 working days.
A path for your family
After 2 years on consecutive cards (the current one — at least a year), you can apply for family reunification: your spouse will receive a card with full labor-market access.
A path to permanent status
Years spent on a work-based card count in full toward the 5-year tenure required for EU long-term resident status — an indefinite permit with free access to the labor market.
Analysis of your employment situation and assessment of legalization prospects
Preparing a complete document package tailored to your case
Electronic filing through the MOS system — we go through it with you step by step
Tracking your case status at every stage: keeping the case up to date, communicating with the office, responding to requests, monitoring deadlines, and reminders
Support when authorities request additional documents
Discounts on all subsequent applications for a residence permit, permanent residence, resident status, and citizenship
Work stages
- 01
Case review
Analysis of your situation and selection of the optimal legalization strategy.
- 02
Document preparation
We prepare the complete package: forms, certificates, translations, and instruct the employer on their part of the documentation.
- 03
Electronic filing via MOS
From 27 April 2026, applications are filed only online through the MOS system (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl), signed with profil zaufany. We prepare the application and go through the filing with you; you visit the office only once — for biometrics, by invitation.
- 04
Monitoring and communication
We track the progress of the review, respond promptly to requests from the authorities, and keep you informed through the platform.
- 05
Obtaining the Karta Pobytu
We notify you when the decision is ready and, if needed, assist with collecting the physical card.
Documents for application
The basic package for the single permit. The exact composition depends on the type of contract and your residence history — you'll receive the final checklist after the audit.
1.Application in the MOS system
signed personally via profil zaufany
2.Załącznik nr 1 from the employer
employment terms: position, salary, duration
3.Passport
scans of all pages with stamps
4.Digital biometric photo
5.Employment contract
umowa o pracę, umowa zlecenia, or umowa o dzieło
6.Insurance confirmation
ZUS ZUA/RCA — for contracts with contributions
7.Payment receipts
440 zł opłata skarbowa + 100 zł for card issuance
8.On the voivode's request
PIT-11, payroll records, certificates confirming the employer has no criminal record
Common refusal reasons — and how we address them
Most refusals under art. 100 and art. 117 are predictable — and are prevented by preparation before filing, not disputes afterward.
Salary below the required level or unsuitable contract terms
We check the contract and, if necessary, suggest discussing possible changes to the terms with the employer.
A problematic employer
A common reason for refusal that the employee is often the last to learn about. We request documents from the employer that let us assess any debts owed to ZUS/US.
Documents contain conflicting information
We cross-check all documents against each other and suggest corrections where needed.
Unsuitable basis for stay on the filing date
As of 01.06.2025, filing on a Schengen visa issued by another country is left without consideration. We check your entry status during the audit.
A missed request from the voivode
All correspondence is now electronic (e-Doręczenia) — it's easy to miss a deadline. We keep a case calendar and respond to requests on time.
Failure to notify about job loss
We remind you to keep this matter under control.
A refusal isn't a final verdict: 14 days for an odwołanie via the voivode to the Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców. We handle appeals, including for cases we didn't originally handle.
Frequently asked questions
Ready to start?
Book a case review. We'll assess your situation and suggest the optimal legalization strategy.