ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
ONLINE SUBMITION OF APPLICATIONS (starting 2026)
Under the planned legal changes, applications for residence permits in Poland (temporary, permanent, and long-term EU resident) will be submitted exclusively online through a dedicated portal the Case Management Module (MOS). You will no longer need to book an appointment or wait in lines; applications can be completed at your convenience. You will also be able to pause the application, save your progress, and edit it later.
Access to the MOS system will be free of charge, and you may submit your application independently, without paid intermediaries. The only fees will be the application stamp duty (depending on the type of permit) and the residence card fee.
More information will be available in April 2026.
PESEL UKR & CUKR CARD
Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland after 24 February 2022 and hold a PESEL UKR number are entitled to legal residence in Poland until 4 March 2027. This temporary protection period applies to those who meet the requirements and update their data. However, individuals who received a PESEL UKR number without a passport must update their data by 31 August 2026.
From 2026 onwards, Ukrainian citizens with a PESEL UKR number will be able to apply for a special 3-year CUKR residence card. Applications must be submitted electronically via the MOS 2.0 (planned launch in mid-April 2026) system, and applicants must have held a PESEL UKR number continuously throughout the application period.
Key information about the CUKR card:
Who can receive it: Individuals who held a UKR PESEL number on 4 March 2024 and on the application date, with uninterrupted status for at least 365 days. Applications must be submitted only electronically via the MOS 2.0 system (Case Management Module).
Entitlements: The card grants access to the labour market without permits, the ability to conduct business activities and the right to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Requirements: Complete PESEL data (photo, fingerprints and signature) and pay the relevant fees (PLN 340 + PLN 100).
Legal status: The card replaces temporary security and changes your status for the duration of your stay.
Please note that the system will reject your application if the data (e.g. passport details) in the PESEL UKR register is incomplete. The CUKR card will be issued automatically.
Information on what to do for Ukrainian citizens who were in Poland before 24 August 2022 can be found below. ⇓⇓⇓
Polish law introduces different requirements for EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA citizens when it comes to legalising your stay in Poland.
The process depends on how long you will stay:
- Up to 3 months
- From 3 months to 5 years
- Permanently
Welcome Point can help you both in person and online with your legalisation process. Our services include:
students & PhD candidates
researchers, academic teachers, UW employees
