Employment changes · Employing foreigners

Extending a foreigner's work permit — deadlines and continuity of legal work

Published: 7 September 2026 · Author: Dariusz Włodarczyk Kancelaria TRC · Reading time: approx. 6 min

For employment to continue without a break, the extension must be arranged in advance. We explain the deadlines, the principle of continuity of legal work and what happens once a declaration (oświadczenie) expires.

Table of contents
  1. Why and when to extend
  2. Deadlines
  3. Work after the declaration expires
  4. How to plan
  5. Legal basis and sources

1. Why and when to extend

When employment is to last longer than the validity of the document, an application for an extension of the permit or for a further permit must be filed in good time. The key is to maintain continuity of legal work.

2. Deadlines

The application is filed in advance, before the document expires. Filing on time may allow work to continue until a decision is issued — depending on the legal basis and the applicable rules.

To be verified: the rules on continuing work while awaiting an extension depend on the type of document — confirm them before the document expires.

3. Work after the declaration expires

The legality of work after an employer's declaration (oświadczenie) expires is governed separately — here too, acting on time is what counts.

4. How to plan

Establish the expiry dates of all the employee's documents and set application deadlines with a margin. A deadline checklist helps.

Show more: why a time buffer matters when extending
Extensions, further permits and the legality of work after a declaration expires are discussed in: I. Gęsicka, P. Majka, M. Rydzewska, J. Wantoch-Rekowski, Zatrudnianie cudzoziemców. Problematyka prawa pracy, administracyjnego i finansów publicznych, Wolters Kluwer, Warszawa 2026.

Time buffer

We recommend filing extension applications with a buffer of several weeks — proceedings can take longer, and a "gap" in the legality of work creates a real risk of sanctions.

Is your employee's permit expiring? We'll ensure continuity

We will keep track of the deadlines and file an application for an extension or a further permit so that the work remains legal without interruption.

Book a free consultation

Legal note: this article is informative and does not constitute legal advice. Legal status: 2026 (Act of 20 March 2025, Journal of Laws 2025, item 621; Act on Foreigners).

Sources: Act of 20 March 2025, Journal of Laws 2025 item 621; Act on Foreigners, Journal of Laws 2013 item 1650; Zielona Linia. The above discussion is our own; the provisions cited should be verified against the current text of the act before taking any action.