ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
Online Submission of Applications (MOS 2.0)
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 – MOS 2.0 (Case Management Module), accessible via a web browser from 27 April 2026. 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.
The previous system (MOS) was shut down on 17 April 2026.
Please follow the government website – WSC Migrant – for updates
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 online via the MOS 2.0 system (launch date is 27 April 2026).
Key information about the CUKR card:
- Who can apply: If you had a PESEL UKR on 4 March 2024, still have this status on the day you apply, and have held it continuously for at least 365 days. Applications can only be submitted online via the MOS 2.0 system (Case Management Module).
- What does the card allow you to do: The card grants access to the labour market without work 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) + payment of relevant fees (PLN 340 + PLN 100).
- Legal status: The CUKR card replaces temporary protection and changes your legal status for the duration of your stay in Poland.
Important: If your PESEL UKR data (e.g. passport details) is incomplete, your application will be automatically rejected. The CUKR card will be issued automatically once your application is approved.
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:
- explaining the procedures and giving you clear instructions (click links below for details)
- checking your documents and helping you fill them out in Polish
students & PhD candidates
researchers, academic teachers, UW employees
