1. What the CUKR card is
The CUKR residence card (annotated “Formerly holder of temporary protection”) is a document confirming the grant of a temporary residence permit under special rules for a period of 3 years. It is intended for Ukrainian citizens who benefit from temporary protection in Poland (UKR status) and wish to move to a more stable basis of residence. Applications may be filed from 4 May 2026, exclusively online via the MOS portal.
2. Who can apply
- a Ukrainian citizen (and certain family members) holding active UKR status (PESEL UKR),
- residing legally in Poland on the basis of temporary protection,
- who meets the conditions set out in the special provisions — we will verify the detailed criteria (including the period of holding UKR status) individually, because they depend on your situation.
3. What the CUKR card gives you
- 3 years of legal residence — without worrying about further extensions of temporary protection,
- full access to the labour market without a work permit,
- the possibility of running a business,
- travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period,
- a step towards permanent residence or EU long-term resident status in the future.
4. What you lose — think it over before applying
After you collect the card, UKR status is converted into CUKR status. This means losing some of the entitlements arising from temporary protection, including the right to free accommodation in collective accommodation centres. If you use such benefits, it is worth consulting the decision to apply.
5. How to apply — in brief
- Set up a trusted profile (you have a PESEL UKR — identity confirmation or online banking is enough).
- Log in to MOS (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl) and select the application for a CUKR residence card.
- Fill in the form (in Polish only), add a photograph and the required attachments.
- Sign electronically, submit, download the confirmation of submission (UPO).
- Wait for the summons for biometrics, then for the decision and the summons to collect the card.
Full instructions for using the portal: MOS step by step.
6. CUKR or another permit? A short comparison
| CUKR card | Ordinary temporary residence (e.g. work) | |
|---|---|---|
| Period | 3 years | up to 3 years, usually tied to an employer |
| Access to work | full, without a permit | usually with a specific employer (a change requires formalities) |
| Conditions | UKR status + special conditions | contract, income, insurance, place of residence |
| Better for whom | people with UKR status seeking stability and freedom on the labour market | people without UKR status or planning paths that CUKR does not cover |
The choice of the optimal path depends on your plans (permanent residence, citizenship, family) — it is a strategic decision, not just a formality.
Складаємо заявку CUKR разом / We help you file the CUKR card application
We will check whether you meet the conditions, prepare the documents and file the application in MOS — in Polish, Ukrainian or Russian.
Book a free consultationLegal notice: this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal status: July 2026 (special provisions concerning Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict and the Act on Foreigners). The detailed conditions of the CUKR card and the effects of the change of status require verification in an individual case. Data controller: Dariusz Włodarczyk Kancelaria TRC.
Sources: Office for Foreigners — CUKR procedure, MOS — CUKR residence card, UNHCR Poland.