Immigration: work permits and residence legalization in Poland

Do you employ foreign nationals or plan a legal stay and work in Poland, and are wondering how to properly manage the work legalization process for foreigners? Changing regulations (including frequent amendments to Polish immigration law since 2018), complex administrative procedures and differing practices across authorities may create significant risks, both for employers and employees. Our Immigration team takes over the burden of formalities, helping ensure legal security and a smooth process in Poland.

See how we can support your organization

Who is this service for? Work legalization and working permit in Poland for foreigners

For employers hiring foreign nationals

We support companies that employ or plan to employ foreign nationals in Poland, regardless of scale, industry or cooperation model, including employment contracts and managerial contracts.

Our support includes in particular:

analysis of employees’ immigration status, including current residence titles and work permits (including types of work permit in Poland relevant for your business),
selection of the appropriate residence title and employment basis aligned with the business model,
obtaining all types of work permits,
obtaining all types of residence permits,
support with seconding foreign nationals to Poland as part of global mobility,
monitoring deadlines and immigration statuses, including the validity of permits and residence cards,
advisory support on employer immigration compliance.

For foreign nationals planning legal stay and work in Poland

We support foreign nationals throughout the entire legalization process, from analyzing their situation, through preparing and submitting documents, to representation before voivodeship offices and other institutions. We provide ongoing communication and an individual approach at every stage, so that the legalization of work and residence in Poland, including obtaining a working permit Poland or a combined residence and work permit, can proceed as smoothly as possible.

Our support includes in particular:

analysis of the individual immigration situation, including the purpose of stay and professional plans,
preparation and submission of residence card applications,
obtaining single temporary residence and work permits,
obtaining temporary residence permits,
obtaining a PESEL number,
support in preparing documentation for visa applications at a consulate or embassy, including a work in Poland visa where applicable,
representation before the relevant authorities, including voivodeship offices and the Office for Foreigners,
support with changing employer or employment conditions during the validity of a permit,
ongoing advisory support during administrative proceedings.

What makes our approach to work legalization for foreigners different

Combining legal and business expertise

We tailor immigration advisory to the client’s operating model, employment structure and organizational development plans. We take into account, among others, expansion plans, employee relocations and planned changes in cooperation models with foreign nationals.

Comprehensive end-to-end support

We support clients at every stage of the process, from analysis and planning, through documentation preparation, to representation before authorities and support with permit renewals. This includes both individual cases and long-term programs for the legalization of work for foreign nationals and ongoing management of work permit Poland processes.

Knowledge of administrative practice

We work on a daily basis with voivodeship offices, the Office for Foreigners, district labour offices, as well as embassies and consulates. We take into account not only legal regulations, but also internal procedures and the approach of individual administrative authorities.

Individual approach and ongoing communication

Each case is handled with consideration of the specific situation of the foreign national and the client’s business needs. We provide regular contact and transparent information on the status of proceedings, including expected timelines and next steps in the legalization process.

Alignment with HR and global mobility processes

We integrate immigration activities with HR, employee relocation and international workforce management processes.

Focus on compliance and risk mitigation

We help employers meet their immigration obligations and minimize formal and operational consequences, including potential fines or restrictions related to non-compliance with Polish immigration and labour regulations.

Our team: experts in work legalization for foreign nationals

The Immigration team is made up of experienced specialists in the legalization of work and residence for foreign nationals and global mobility, with many years of experience gained in an international advisory environment. We combine strategic and operational capabilities, which allows us to effectively support both employers and foreign nationals at every stage of the immigration process, from the first application to permit renewals. We communicate in Polish and English, ensuring direct contact with clients and their employees.

Legalization of work and residence for foreign nationals

Ask us about our support

FAQ: work permit Poland and work legalization for foreigners in Poland

Work legalization for foreigners is the process of obtaining the relevant permits and completing formalities that allow a foreign national to work legally in Poland. It usually involves obtaining the appropriate residence title and a work permit, or a residence and work permit. In practice, this may include a work permit issued by a voivode, a single permit for temporary residence and work, or a work in Poland visa combined with the right to perform work.

It is advisable to start the work legalization process well in advance, ideally at the stage of planning employment or employee relocation. The waiting time for an authority’s decision may range from several weeks to several months, depending on the voivodeship, the workload of the authorities and the type of case. For example, in some regions of Poland, decisions on temporary residence and work permits may take more than 6 months.

In many cases, changing employer requires amending or obtaining a new work permit or residence and work permit. The scope of required actions depends on the basis of the current stay and employment, which is why it is worth consulting a specialist before making a decision about the change.

Contact us

Filip Kotarski

Director | People and Organisation, Wrocław, PwC Poland

+48 519 508 876

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Magdalena Paszta

Senior Consultant, PwC Poland

+48 571 778 055

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