How to Maintain Legal Status in Poland While Waiting for a Residence Card

The procedure for obtaining a residence card in Poland often takes months, sometimes even a year. Despite this, individuals who have submitted a complete set of documents during their legal stay have the right to remain in the country until the voivode's decision. This is stipulated by Polish legislation, which guarantees the continuity of legal status. This is noted by Visit Ukraine.

Legal Basis for Staying 'on the Stamp'

After submitting documents to the voivodeship office, a special stamp is placed in the passport. It confirms that the application has been accepted, and therefore, the foreigner's stay in Poland is considered legal, even if the visa or previous card's validity has expired.

An important nuance: legality is not determined by the date of the stamp, but by the day the documents were accepted for consideration. The procedure may differ slightly in each voivodeship—some require you to register for an appointment yourself, while others may wait for an invitation from the office.

Rights While Waiting for a Residence Card in Poland

A Ukrainian who receives a stamp retains some of their rights:

• can stay in Poland legally;

• has the right to work for the same employer if they had a valid permit at the time of submission;

• can access medical services, bank accounts, and other services (with PESEL).

Restrictions of 'Stamp' Status

Despite legality, during the waiting period, there are restrictions:

• leaving Poland is prohibited;

• returning after leaving is impossible without a complete residence card;

• traveling to Schengen countries is also not allowed.

So, 'staying on the stamp' is a temporary but legal stay only within Poland.

If you are interested in working in Poland, we suggest checking out 350,000 job postings on the Layboard portal.

When the Stamp Loses Validity

The stamp's validity ends immediately after the voivode's decision is made. If it is positive, the person transitions to a temporary resident status; however, until the plastic card is made, traveling outside Poland is still not allowed.

According to employment expert Vitalii Belets, Ukrainians should closely monitor the deadlines and copies of all documents:

«Many do not understand that the stamp is merely confirmation of consideration, not a new work permit. If the employer or working conditions change, it is essential to notify the office. Otherwise, even with legal residence, one could lose the right to work».

The expert adds that for those who plan to stay in Poland long-term, it is crucial not to miss any administrative notifications and to keep copies of all decisions—this will help avoid misunderstandings during document renewals.