How To Change Work Permit In Poland

If you are non-EU citizen and your temporary residence permit in Poland is about to expire, the question you ask yourself is how to change work permit in Poland.

Are you currently living in Poland and want to make a change to your current work permit? Working in Poland is a great option for many people and it is easy for foreigners to obtain a work permit. It is one of the most popular destinations for expats in Europe.

This guide will help you with the process of changing your work permit in Poland. It’s basically a translation of the official instructions published by the Polish office responsible for migration.

Nowadays it’s not uncommon to find a large sum of foreigners living and working on Polish soil. For many of them, finding a job and getting a work permit was easier said than done. The recent influx of immigrants made the Polish authorities aware of an urgent need to regulate this issue. The process has become relatively routine, but there are still several bumps on the road that makes the whole business of submitting a new employment contract more challenging than it should be.

Planning a short visit to Poland is one thing, but having the opportunity to work there will require a bit more preparation and planning. If you have a job lined up for you in Poland, chances are you will need a Poland work visa. 

The Poland work visa is a Polish national (long-term) visa that allows non-EU citizens to work in Poland.

Do I Need a Visa to Work in Poland?

Everyone who is not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen needs a visa to work in Poland. If you are an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen and want to work in Poland for longer than three months, you only have to register your stay in a local registration office. Registering your stay is not a visa application process; it is more of a notifying method to let Polish authorities know that you would like to stay and work in Poland for longer.

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What Are the Types of Polish Work Visas You Can Apply for?

Before applying for a work visa, you need to know about which work permit you should apply for. The types of Poland work permits are:

• Work Permit A. It is required if you have a job offer from a business registered in Poland. This work permit is given to you under the condition that you will obtain a valid residence permit.
• Work Permit B. This permit is required if you are employed as a board member and will be residing in Poland for a period exceeding six months.
• Work Permit C. If you are delegated to Poland by a foreign employer for longer than 30 days to work for their Polish branch.
• Work Permit D. If a foreign employer delegates you to Poland to work in export services. The foreign employer must not have a Polish branch.
• Work Permit S.This permit is required if a foreign employer sends you to Poland for agricultural, hunting, fishing, or accommodation activities.

Poland Work Visa Requirements

The documents required for a Poland work visa application are:

• Valid passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least another six months; more if the embassy requires.
• Visa application form. You must fill out the form via the e-Konsulat system (the Polish consular website), print it, and sign it.
• Colored photos of yourself. Photo dimensions and requirements should fulfill the Schengen visa photo guidelines.
• Flight itinerary. You must submit proof that you have purchased or at least booked a flight to Poland.
• Proof of travel health insurance. Once you arrive in Poland, you will have to register for long-term health insurance, either with the Polish national health fund or a private insurance company. However, for the initial work visa application, you will be required to submit proof of travel health insurance covering at least €30,000.
• Proof of accommodation. You must submit proof that you have a place to live in Poland during your stay.
• Original and copied version of the work permit. Your employer will send you the work permit which they applied for on your behalf.
• Employment letter. You must submit the original letter of employment, signed by your employee and stating your position, salary, and other details of your employment.
• Work experience certificate or CV. Submit an updated copy of your CV and any certificates that attest to your work experience in the position you are applying for.
• Police clearance certificate. You must prove that you do not have a criminal background.

Remember: The Polish consulate or embassy may ask you to provide additional documents, depending on each specific case.

How to Get a Poland Work Visa?

The steps for applying for a Poland work visa are:

1. Your employer applies for a work permit on your behalf. 
2. You apply for a work visa at the Polish embassy.
3. Enter Poland and start working.

Applying for a Poland Work Permit

If you plan to start working in Poland, a Polish employer needs to apply for a work permit on your behalf at the local Voivodeship office (Governor’s Office in Poland).