Updated on 24 April, 2026
As a researcher you have three different possible paths for legalisation of stay in Poland:
- Temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research
- EU Blue Card (for highly qualified employees)
- Temporary work and residence permit
1.Temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research
Temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting research is granted to a foreigner who is a scientist, with at least the professional title corresponding to the Polish master’s degree, or equivalent, allowing access to at least doctoral studies.
The purpose of stay in Poland is to conduct research or development work under contract for carrying out a research project concluded with a research unit, which has been accredited by the Ministry of Interior and Administration (UW is on the list).
What documents need to be submitted?
- Agreement or employment contract for carrying out a research project with a research institution,
- Written statement from the research institution, confirming responsibility for covering potential costs of the foreigner’s stay and return (this responsibility lasts up to 6 months after the end of the agreement),
- Application form for a temporary residence permit, including Annex 4 (completed in the MOS 2.0 system, which launches on 27 April 2026),
- 2 recent colour photographs,
- One copy of your valid passport (all pages)
- Health insurance confirmation: if you are already employed at UW, you could obtain it from the Human Resources Office,
- Proof of accommodation in Poland (e.g. rental agreement),
- Proof of having sufficient funds to cover living costs and return travel to the country of origin or residence,
- Proof of payment: PLN 340 (application fee) and 100 PLN (residence card fee) – more information about fees
Documents drawn up in a foreign language should be submitted together with their translations into Polish made by a sworn translator. You can search the sworn translator through the website of the Ministry of Justice.
This permit is issued for stays of minimum 3 months and for a maximum period of 3 years. If you want to stay longer, you need to apply for a new residence permit. The permit is granted for the same duration as the work contract.
More information on how to submit your documents.
2. EU Blue Card (for highly qualified employees)
The EU Blue Card for Researchers is issued to highly qualified researchers from non-EU countries who want to work in an authorized research organization in an EU member state.
Who can get an EU Blue Card for Research?
- You have at least a Master’s Degree or equivalent obtained from an educational institution in the EU or a recognized institution abroad
- You have a work contract or an offer for highly qualified employment in the EU for at least 6 months
- Your monthly salary cannot be lower than 150% of the average salary in Poland in the year preceding the submission of the residence permit application (for applications submitted from February 2026 – PLN 13 355,34 gross per month)
What documents need to be submitted?
- Employment contract valid for at least one year,
- Application form, including Annex 1 and Annex 2 – Complete your application in the MOS 2.0 system (available from 27 April 2026). Annex 1 must be completed in the system by your employer. To enable this, provide the UW HR office email address in your application: cudzoziemcy.uw@adm.uw.edu.pl — the Office for Foreigners will send them a link to Annex 1
- 2 recent colour photographs,
- One copy of your valid passport (all pages)
- Proof of meeting educational requirements (e.g. your diplomas, qualifications),
- Health insurance confirmation: if you are already employed at UW, you could obtain it from the Human Resources Office,
- Certificate confirming no tax arrears (from the tax office),
- Personal income tax (PIT) return form that was submitted to the tax office along with confirmation of submission (UPO form)*but only if you worked in Poland in the previous year,
- Written statement from the research institution, confirming that a foreign scientist employed at a Polish university does not require a work permit (based on Article 325 of the Higher Education Act),
- Proof of payment: PLN 440 (application fee) and 100 PLN (residence card fee) – more information about fees.
3.Temporary work and residence permit
This type of residence permit is issued for various types of jobs.
IMPORTANT: this option is not available for holders of:
- a visa or temporary residence permit issued by another Schengen country,
- or a Polish national visa D granted for the purposes of studies (including PhD programs), tourism, visiting family or friends, or attending conferences.
If you are staying in Poland on one of these documents, you will need to apply for another type of temporary residence permit or a Polish national visa D in order to extend your legal stay and work in Poland.
When applying for a temporary work and residence permit, you need to submit the following documents:
- Application form for a temporary residence permit, including Annex 1 (to be completed by your employer – UW). Complete your application in the MOS 2.0 system (available from 27 April 2026). In the application, provide the UW HR office email address: cudzoziemcy.uw@adm.uw.edu.pl — the Office for Foreigners will send a link to Annex 1 to this address,
- 2 recent colour photographs,
- One copy of your valid passport (all pages)
- Employment contract, including information about salary’s amount – at least PLN 4 806 gross/month (from 1 January 2026, but even if you’ve applied earlier – make sure that the salary listed in Annex 1 is not lower than the new national minimum – PLN 4 806 gross/month).
- Health insurance confirmation: if you are already employed at UW, you could obtain it from the Human Resources Office,
- Certificate confirming no tax arrears (from the tax office),
- Personal income tax (PIT) return form that was submitted to the tax office along with confirmation of submission (UPO form)*but only if you worked in Poland in the previous year,
- For academic staff (university teachers and researchers): a written statement from the research institution confirming that a foreign scientist employed at a Polish university does not require a work permit (under Article 325 of the Higher Education Act)
- Proof of payment: PLN 440 for the application and PLN 100 for the residence card – more information about fees.
Useful tips
Here you can read some useful tips, which might be helpful in the process of legalisation of stay.
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Our website may contain links to external resources; Welcome Point is not responsible for the content or operation of any such external content or websites.
