How Does Polish Work Visa Work? (All You Need to Know)

A happy man after interview sitting on a bench

So you got the job in one of the top Polish companies after several huddles with your recruitment agencies and now you’re ready to make the great move. What if your agency does not cover the work visa application process? What happens next? You’d need a Polish work visa to get started. But how does a Polish works visa permit work? And how do you get started with your application? Stick around, for answers.

This article will help you navigate the process of applying for a Poland work visa and permit. Also at the end of this guide, you should have a snapshot of the labor market in Poland and also the types of work visas in Poland available to foreign workers. Get”s get started!

Polish Labour Market Foreign workers

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of the top, here is a quick review of the Polish labor market as regards number of work visa permits issued in the previous years:

Number of Work visa permits as of 2022: 365,490

Total number of Employed foreigners in Poland according to the report from GUS (Statistics Poland) on 30 April 2023: 982,200 foreigners making up “6.4% of the total number of people working in Poland.”
Statista.com and Hrlaw.pl

Who Needs a Poland Work Visa or Permit?

To be granted access to Poland after receiving a job offer, you need a work visa and a work permit if you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen. However, if you are an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen wishing to work and live in Poland for longer than 3 months, “you only need to register your stay in a local registration office” according to Visaguide world. However, this process is not like Visa application, it only requires you to notify the Polish authorities about your decision to stay back.

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Types of Poland Work Visa

A Polish work visa is a document that allows foreign nationals to legally work in Poland. It is typically valid for up to 90 days but can be extended for longer periods.

Before you proceed with your application for Poland work visa, you should know the different types of work visas in Poland. They are discussed as follows;

Type A

This is the visa type given to foreigners who have been granted an employment contract or a civil law contract with an employer with a registered office. However, this work visa is given with the condition that you obtain a valid residence permit.

Type B

This type of visa is given if you are employed as a board member and your employment requires you to exceed six months or a period of 12 months.

Type C

If you were delegated to move to Poland by a foreign employer for more than 30 days to work at a branch of a foreign company in Poland, you need a type C visa.

Type D

The type D visa is given if you are employed to work in export services as a delegate by a foreign employer. However, the foreign employer must not have a branch in Poland.

Type E

You can apply for a type E visa if your employment does not fall under any of the categories mentioned above.

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General Requirement for Apply for Poland Work Visa

The employer must provide the necessary documents to acquire a work permit on behalf of a foreign employee. These documents include:

A completed copy of your application form
Proof of the paid application fees
Records of the employer’s economic activity
Proof of applicant’s health insurance
A deed for the company
Copies of your travel itinerary with relevant information on your passport pages
Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond the intended stay
An employment contract or other proof of employment in Poland
Proof of financial means (e.g., bank statements)
Medical insurance
Evidence of your legal status as a citizen of a country signed by the national court.
Proof of accommodation in Poland

How to Get a Polish Work Visa?

To obtain a Polish work visa, you must first:

Secure employment with a Polish employer.
Your employer will then apply for a work permit on your behalf.
Once the work permit is approved, you can apply for a work visa at the Polish consulate or embassy in your home country.

Your employer needs the following documents in order to apply for your work permit:

The application form.

Proof of paid application fees.

Proof of the legal status of the employer. The documentation should be issued from the NCR (National Court Register).

Records of the employer’s economic activity.

Copy of the employee’s passport pages.

Proof of the employee’s health insurance.

Deed for the company.

Statements that show profits or losses made by the employer.

Copy of the work contract.

Source: https://visaguide.world

PS: The Polish government, in order to simplify the employment of foreign workers in Poland, in January 2022, amended the requirements for work permit application. You can read all about the update in this article on “How the Polish Government Has Simplified Employment of Foreigner Workers.

How to Apply for a Polish Work Visa? Step-by-Step Guide

If the application for a work permit done by your employer is successful, you now have the authorization to work in Poland. Now, you can proceed for your work visa application with the embassy in your country. With this visa, you can travel freely to Poland for work, after which, you then apply for a residence visa.

Follow these steps to apply:

Gather the required documents: As listed in the requirements section above
Locate the closest Polish Embassy or Consulate in your country through the e-konsulet website.
Make a visa appointment in person or visa the website.
Confirm required documents
Submit your application: Ensure you summit on the date of your appointment and make sure you are early. You can submit your visa application in person at the Polish embassy or consulate in your home country. Or, You can also submit your application online through the e-Konsulat system.
Pay the application fee: the application fee varies depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay.
5. Attend your visa interview (if required): You may be required to attend an interview with a visa officer at the embassy or consulate.
Wait for a decision: The processing time for a Polish work visa application can vary depending on the workload of the embassy or consulate. However, you should receive a decision within 30 to 60 days of submitting your application.

Poland Work Visa Fee

Although these fees are subject to different factors, however, according to The Visa Guide World, the fees are accordingly:

Visa type	Visa Fee
Work type D permit	£44,19
Work visa for time frame lesser than three months	£11.05
Work visa for time longer than three months	£22.10

Poland Visa Fee

PS: These figures are updated regularly by the official Polish website, ensure you check the current price before you process your application.

Conclusion:

Working in Poland is an exciting experience but like every other country, you need a work visa to access Poland. In this article, we have received several work Visa and the process of application kindly refer to the official Polish consular service website (e-konsulat website) for further details