Karta pobytu in Poland — full application support
PESEL UKR status does not last forever — EU temporary protection has been extended to 4 March 2028, and under the Polish rules currently in force the relevant Polish status is extended to 4 March 2027. Check further Polish changes and the conditions of your status: you may need another legal basis for your stay — most often the CUKR card or a standard karta pobytu (a temporary residence permit) on one of the “old” grounds: work, study, marriage, family reunification.
We help with both routes: the CUKR card and standard residence permits. We help prepare the documents and guide you through MOS. A CUKR application must be logged in, electronically signed and submitted by you personally through your own account — never share your login.gov.pl credentials. For standard permits, representation is subject to the applicable rules. The CUKR application is filed entirely online; if the application and attachments are complete, the office normally summons you only to collect the finished card. For a standard residence-permit application, follow the voivodeship office’s instructions on any required personal appearance, identity verification or fingerprints. We are a private intermediary and cannot guarantee a decision. Full support from 800 zł, with the CUKR route at 700 zł. We are a private service, not a government authority: the decision is issued by the voivode.
From
800 zł
turnkey full support
Stamp duty
340 zł
temporary permit; 100 zł for the card
Decision term
60 days
once the application is complete (art. 112a); can be suspended
System
MOS 2.0
electronic filing since 2026
Three routes in 2026
Three scenarios for legalizing your stay in 2026
Until 2026 you had two options — PESEL UKR or a standard karta pobytu. From 4 May 2026 a third appeared — the CUKR card. It is a special 3-year permit, created by the March 2026 act for people who came because of the war.
Temporary protection · EU until 04.03.2028 · PL until 04.03.2027
PESEL UKR
- Arrived after 24.02.2022
- Free access to work
- NFZ under current insurance rules and exceptions
- 800+ if ZUS conditions are met
- Free education for children
New from May 2026 · 3 years
CUKR card
- PESEL UKR on 04.06.2025
- At least 365 days of status
- Work not tied to one employer
- Right to run a business
- A stable document
Temporary residence permit · 1–3 years
Standard karta pobytu
- Art. 114 — work
- Art. 144 — study
- Art. 158 — marriage
- Art. 159–161 — family
- Art. 186 — graduates
- Art. 195(1)(9) — permanent residence for eligible Karta Polaka holders
PESEL UKR (temporary protection)
Who it is for: people who arrived after 24.02.2022 because of the war.
How long it is valid: EU temporary protection has been extended to March 4, 2028. Under the Polish rules currently in force, the relevant Polish status is extended to March 4, 2027. Monitor Polish implementing legislation and individual status conditions.
Advantages: free access to the labour market, NFZ under current insurance rules and exceptions, 800+ if ZUS conditions are met, free education for children.
Drawbacks: it is temporary; an extended absence can affect the status; from 1 September 2026 check whether you need to confirm your identity with a biometric passport — if it is not confirmed, the status may change to “NUE”, without social benefits.
CUKR card (new from May 2026)
Who it is for: you held PESEL UKR on 04.06.2025, you have had continuous status for at least 365 days, and your PESEL UKR is valid on the day you file the application.
How long it is valid: exactly 3 years.
Advantages: full free access to the labour market without being tied to one employer, a stable document that is not tied to a single job, and the right to run your own business (JDG) on the same terms as Polish citizens.
Drawbacks: you have to file on time (the MOS intake started on 4 May 2026), and you give up PESEL UKR with all its “wartime” privileges.
We recommend CUKR if you meet the criteria — it is a stable transitional instrument, but read the conditions before you switch.
Standard karta pobytu (temporary residence permit)
Who it is for: people who arrived before 24.02.2022, who lost the continuity of PESEL UKR through frequent travel, who do not meet the CUKR criteria, or who want to legalize their stay through work, study or marriage.
How long it is valid: from 1 to 3 years, depending on the basis and on the voivode’s decision.
Grounds (under the Act on Foreigners):
- Art. 114 — work for a specific employer (the most common basis)
- Art. 144 — full-time study at a university
- Art. 158 — marriage to a Polish citizen
- Art. 159-161 — family reunification (for children and spouses)
- Art. 186 — graduates of Polish universities, other circumstances
- Art. 195(1)(9) — a permanent-residence route for eligible holders of a valid Karta Polaka who intend to settle in Poland; this is not an Art. 187 temporary-residence ground.
The income barrier
Minimum wage in 2026
Minimum wage
4806 zł
gross / month
Net
≈3575 zł
per month
Hourly rate
31.40 zł
gross · minimum
Student — funds
1 010 zł / month
MOS living-cost threshold; 823 zł per person with dependants
For a karta pobytu based on Art. 114 (work), the salary stated in Attachment No. 1 should meet the minimum wage requirement and not be lower than 4806 zł gross. If the figure is below the minimum, the office may open an explanatory procedure or refuse the application. If you work part-time or on an unusual contract, confirm the current calculation rule with your voivodeship office before you file.
For students (Art. 144) you must show sufficient funds for the relevant period of stay: the current MOS living-cost threshold is 1 010 zł per month without dependants or 823 zł per person when dependants exist, plus the actual cost of accommodation, any applicable tuition and the cost of return travel. Which evidence is acceptable and what total is required depends on your application — check MOS.
Turnkey process
Full karta pobytu support in 11 steps
- 1
Consultation
We choose the right basis (Art. 114 / 144 / 158 / CUKR).
- 2
Collecting documents
A checklist for your scenario, plus help with anything missing.
- 3
Sworn translation
Everything from Ukrainian or Russian into Polish (included in the package).
- 4
Apostille
Where it is required on Ukrainian documents (included in the package).
- 5
Completing the application
With the client in Ukrainian, using the Polish terms.
- 6
Filing through MOS 2.0
We prepare the electronic form in the Ministry system; you log in and sign it in your own account.
- 7
Booking biometrics
We book the appointment at the voivodeship office for you.
- 8
Support at the office
We prepare you for the visit; the fingerprints and the signature are given by you in person.
- 9
Stamp in your passport
Ask the office about it when you file in person — it can cover the time while the case is pending.
- 10
Support until the decision
Status checks, replies to summonses, additional documents.
- 11
Collecting the plastic card
We help book the collection and check that the data on the card is correct.
The MOS 2.0 system — what changed in 2026
Since 2026 the Polish government has moved karta pobytu applications into an electronic system, MOS (Moduł Obsługi Spraw). That means:
- the application is generally filed electronically through MOS; UdSC keeps paper filing for some temporary residence cases
- checks for formal gaps before the case is accepted
- an electronic case file, reachable from your own account
- the voivodeship office may check the relevant official records as permitted by law
For Ukrainian citizens filing for the first time this can be an advantage — the system shows straight away what is missing. But without experience it is easy to make mistakes. We work with MOS regularly and know where applications usually go wrong.
2026 price list
Transparent prices for every basis
Consultation (1h)
150 zł
choosing the strategy
Art. 114 (work)
800 zł
full support
Art. 144 (study)
900 zł
full support
Art. 158 (marriage)
1 100 zł
full support
CUKR
700 zł
full support
Art. 186 (graduate)
900 zł
full support
Family reunification
from 1 200 zł
Art. 159–161
Stamp duty
340 zł
paid by the client
Extras (if needed):
- Sworn translation of documents — up to 5 standard documents included in the price
- Apostille of Ukrainian documents — 150 zł per document
- Filing again after a refusal — 500 zł
- Representation in court after an administrative complaint — 1 500 zł
Typical scenarios
The four most common routes
Scenario 1: karta pobytu through work (Art. 114)
Typical situation: you have worked in Poland for 6+ months, you have an employment contract at 4806 zł+ gross, and your employer is ready to issue Attachment No. 1. PESEL UKR would be enough, but you want to move to a stable status.
The document set:
- Foreign passport + copies of all stamped pages
- 4 biometric photos
- The application completed in MOS
- Attachment No. 1 from the employer (with seal and signature)
- The employment contract (original + copy)
- PIT-37 or PIT-11 for the last year (if there was one)
- A ZUS certificate confirming contributions are paid
- The tenancy agreement for your flat (or meldunek)
- A bank statement for the last 3 months
Time: once the application is complete and the conditions are met, the voivode has 60 days to decide (art. 112a of the Act on Foreigners). That term can be suspended — for example while the office waits for documents or an expert opinion — and in practice cases often run longer. Actual timing depends on the office.
Result: a card for 1–3 years. Ask the office when you file in person whether a stamp in your passport can cover the time while the case is pending.
Scenario 2: CUKR (a new transitional status)
Typical situation: you have had PESEL UKR since 2022, you have not left for long (no more than 30 days at a time), and you want a stable document that does not depend on an employer.
The set:
- A digital biometric photograph
- Confirmation of the 340 zł stamp-duty payment
- Confirmation of the 100 zł card fee
- The application through MOS (the intake started on 4 May 2026)
For a child, check the additional documents specified by UdSC. Eligibility and status are generally verified using official registers, so passport copies and self-made stay histories are not universal prerequisites.
Time: CUKR card issuance should occur within 180 days of the application, although the actual wait may vary by voivodeship. This is a simplified card-issuance procedure, not the ordinary 60-day decision under art. 112a.
Result: a CUKR card for 3 years. Check what happens to your PESEL UKR status when CUKR is granted and whether the change suits your situation before you apply.
Scenario 3: karta pobytu for a student (Art. 144)
Typical situation: you were admitted to a Polish university (bachelor, master, PhD), you study full-time, and you have paid the tuition for the current year.
The set:
- Passport + copies
- Photos
- The application through MOS
- Confirmation that you have started or are continuing your studies
- Proof of the tuition payment
- A bank statement or other evidence of sufficient funds — the current MOS threshold is 1 010 zł per month without dependants (823 zł per person with dependants), plus accommodation and return-travel costs
- A tenancy agreement or a certificate from the student residence
- A health insurance policy for the whole period
Advantage: the permit gives free access to the labour market without a separate work permit. The first card is issued for up to 15 months; the following ones for up to 3 years.
Scenario 4: karta pobytu through marriage to a Polish citizen (Art. 158)
Typical situation: you married a Polish citizen, and the marriage is registered at a Polish USC or in the Ukrainian DRACS (with the apostille and entry into the Polish USC where the office requires them).
The set:
- Passport + copies
- Photos
- The application through MOS
- A Polish USC marriage extract as required for the specific procedure — ask your voivodeship office whether it requires a recently issued extract; there is no universal three-month rule
- A copy of your spouse’s ID card
- Meldunek at the same address
- Shared documents (tenancy agreements, bills in both names, joint bank accounts)
- Evidence that the marriage is genuine — photos together, invitations to events, statements from neighbours (in difficult cases)
What we offer
Why clients work with us
We know MOS 2.0
We help fill in the MOS form and prepare documents to the office’s requirements; the decision itself is made by the administrative authority.
Translators from the Ministry register
All translations we deliver are prepared by a sworn translator entered in the Ministry of Justice register.
Experience with voivodeship offices
We know the local practice and how long things currently take.
Replies usually within 48h
If the office asks for extra papers, we do not lose precious days.
Email + Telegram in Ukrainian
We answer in Ukrainian, so there is no language barrier.
Checked before filing
We review the whole package for formal gaps before it goes to the office.
Watch out for mistakes
5 common mistakes when filing on your own
1. Salary below 4806 zł in Attachment No. 1
❌ The official sees a figure below the minimum — the office may open an explanatory procedure or refuse the application. Even if you actually earn more, the documents have to show it.
2. Copies without notarial certification
❌ Some offices require certain copies to be certified by a notary (education documents and DRACS certificates are common examples). A plain photocopy may be sent back. Ask your office which copies it wants certified — requirements differ between offices.
3. Meldunek at an address where you do not actually live
❌ Meldunek is not just registration — it is a declaration. If the case reveals a mismatch (the voivode checks through the migration office), the status may be revoked.
4. PIT for the previous year not filed
❌ If you worked under an employment or mandate contract, you are obliged to file your PIT by 30 April. Without it the office may suspect undeclared (“black”) pay.
5. Leaving Poland while the case is pending
❌ A pending-application stamp in your passport (or the corresponding MOS certificate) may confirm lawful stay in Poland, but it gives NO right to cross the border or to re-enter Poland. For travel you need an independent valid visa, a residence card or an applicable visa-free entitlement. Ask the voivodeship office before you leave Poland, and tell them about the trip.
Practical questions after you file
How long does a karta pobytu take in 2026?
Answer: the statutory decision term is 60 days (art. 112a of the Act on Foreigners). The 60-day term starts only once the application is complete and the conditions are met, and it can be suspended — for example while the office waits for documents or an expert opinion. In practice the period is often longer; the real time depends on the specific office.
Can I travel while my case is pending?
Answer: a pending-application stamp in your passport (or the corresponding MOS certificate) may confirm lawful stay in Poland, but it gives NO right to cross the border or to re-enter Poland. For travel you need an independent valid visa, a residence card or an applicable visa-free entitlement. Ask the voivodeship office before you leave Poland and tell them about the trip.
What can I do if the office is slow?
Answer: If the case is not decided within the applicable deadline or is being conducted longer than necessary, you may lodge a reasoned ponaglenie under art. 37 KPA with the higher authority through the authority handling the case. Check when the statutory clock starts and whether it has been suspended. We prepare and file the reminder; how quickly the office reacts is outside our control.
Do I need to speak Polish for a karta pobytu?
Answer: For many temporary residence permits there is no general Polish language certificate requirement. An EU long-term resident permit is different: it generally requires proof of Polish at least at B1 level, subject to statutory exceptions and accepted alternative evidence. Check the conditions for your specific permit.
I lost my job — what happens to the card?
Answer: if the card was issued under Art. 114, you have 30 days from the dismissal to notify the voivodeship office. Then it is either a new contract with another employer (filing a change of the permit) or a switch to another basis. If you do not notify them, the card may be revoked.
Does PESEL UKR time count toward permanent residence?
Answer: no. Time spent on PESEL UKR does not count toward the 5 years of stay relevant to long-term residence; permanent residence has separate grounds. Time on a standard residence permit generally counts; confirm the current rules for CUKR with the office.
Discounted packages
Options for families and couples
”Turnkey karta pobytu” package — 800 zł
- Consultation on choosing the basis
- A checklist of the documents to collect
- Sworn translation of 5 documents
- Completing the application in MOS
- Booking biometrics
- Support until the decision is issued
- Replies to summonses during processing
”Family” package — 1 400 zł (instead of 1 600)
- Karta pobytu for one spouse (Art. 114)
- Karta pobytu for the other spouse (Art. 159 — family reunification)
- Cards for 1–2 children (Art. 159)
- All translations included
”CUKR for 2 people” package — 1 200 zł (instead of 1 400)
- Assistance with two separate CUKR applications — each eligible person submits and signs their own application in MOS (a parent or guardian follows the specific rules for a child)
- Savings on translations
”Karta pobytu + criminal record certificate + apostille” package — 1 000 zł
- For cases where the office asks for these documents
- Time saved — the documents are collected in parallel
Ready to start?
Write to us — we will reply as soon as we can
We ask: when you arrived, whether you have PESEL UKR, where you work or study, and when your current status or document expires. Then you get a strategy recommendation and an exact quote.
Worth preparing:
- The date you arrived in Poland
- Your current status (PESEL UKR / other)
- Your basis (work / study / family)
- The voivodeship