Step-by-step guides · MOS

Which residence application do you have to file? Choose your situation.

Published: 19 August 2026 · Author: Dariusz Włodarczyk Kancelaria TRC · COSC own material

There are more than a dozen types of application and each one has different documents and a different fee. Click the one that fits you — you will get a step-by-step guide written in plain language.

You can file the application yourself — but you do not have to do it alone The MOS system is free and you can complete it without anyone's help. A lawyer will not issue the decision instead of the authority, and no honest person will promise you its content. What a representative does give you are three things you cannot secure on your own: an application filed without formal defects, control of deadlines and service of documents — the authority is obliged to serve letters on the representative — and a reaction when the authority exceeds deadlines or stays silent. A foreigner who does not know Polish procedure is the weakest party in these proceedings, and the representative's role is to make sure their rights are respected.

Check who you entrust your case to. A representative operating in Poland is answerable for their work under Polish law and you can establish who they are, where they are based and under what number they are registered. Be cautious about people who present themselves as experts in Polish regulations but cannot give those details.

Start here — three questions

If you do not know which card to choose, answer them one by one.

  1. Why are you in Poland? You work — go to the „Residence and work” section. You study — „Studies, family, other reasons”. You have family here — the same section.
  2. How long have you lived in Poland? Less than 5 years — you file an application for temporary residence. More than 5 years legally — check permanent residence or EU long-term resident.
  3. Do you already have an employer in Poland? If so and you want to settle residence and work with one decision — your application is the temporary residence and work permit. It is the most frequent choice.
Online or on paper? Since 27 April 2026 applications for a temporary residence permit, a permanent residence permit and an EU long-term resident permit are filed exclusively online in the MOS portal. Four types of cases are still filed on paper — below they carry the yellow label Paper only. The application for the issue or replacement of the residence card itself is also filed on paper.

Residence and work

Choose this if you work in Poland or have a signed contract with an employer.

Via MOS Most frequent

Temporary residence and work permit

For you if: you work for a Polish employer under an employment contract or umowa zlecenia and want to settle residence and the right to work with one decision. The so-called single permit.

440 złStep-by-step guide →
Via MOS

Work in a profession requiring high qualifications

For you if you have higher education or long professional experience and a high salary. The so-called EU Blue Card.

440 złComing soon
Via MOS

Seasonal work

For you if you work for part of the year — in agriculture, horticulture, hotels or catering.

170 złComing soon
Paper only

Intra-corporate transfer (ICT)

For you if a foreign company transfers you to its branch in Poland — as a manager, specialist or trainee. This application and long-term ICT mobility are filed on paper with the voivode (wojewoda).

440 złComing soon
Via MOS

Business activity

For you if you run your own company in Poland or hold a position on the management board of a company and are not employed.

340 złComing soon

Studies, family, other reasons

Choose this if your stay in Poland does not result from work. Note: if the person the application concerns is outside Poland, the family reunification application is filed on paper.

Via MOS

Studies and education

For you if you study at a Polish university, are a doctoral candidate or learn a trade. The annex is signed electronically by the unit running the studies.

340 złComing soon
Paper only

Family reunification when you are outside Poland

For you if you want to bring to Poland your spouse or children and the person the application concerns is still abroad. If the family is already in Poland — the application goes through MOS.

340 złComing soon
Via MOS

Marriage to a Polish citizen

For you if your husband or wife has Polish citizenship and you are in Poland. If you are outside Poland — the application is filed on paper.

340 złComing soon
Via MOS

Short-term stay

For you if you have to appear in person before a Polish authority or court, or an exceptional personal situation keeps you in Poland.

85 zł or 340 złComing soon
Via MOS

Scientific research

For you if you have an agreement with a research institution to conduct research in Poland.

340 złComing soon

You have lived in Poland for a long time

These applications give you a stronger status than temporary residence.

Via MOS

Permanent residence permit

For you if you have the Pole's Card, Polish origin, have been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years or have refugee status. Residence card for 10 years.

640 złComing soon
Via MOS

EU long-term resident

For you if you have lived in Poland legally for 5 years without a break, have a stable income and know Polish at B1 level. Residence card for 5 years.

640 złComing soon
Each fee is topped up by 100 zł for the residence card itself These are two separate transfers: the stamp duty for the permit and 100 zł for issuing the residence card (50 zł for a child under 16, a pupil and a student). The amounts are the same throughout Poland — only the account numbers differ, and you take them from the website of the authority handling your case.
Still do not know which application is yours? Filing under the wrong procedure is one of the most frequent reasons for refusal. The authority will not change it into the right one for you — you lose the fee and several months.

Tell us what your situation is

We will check which application is the right one — before you pay and before you file.

Book a free consultation

Author: Dariusz Włodarczyk Kancelaria TRC · Own material of the Centre for Foreigners' Affairs Services.

Legal note: this page is informational and does not constitute legal advice. Legal status: 19 August 2026. Data controller: Dariusz Włodarczyk Kancelaria TRC.

Legal basis and sources: art. 98, art. 105, art. 108 ust. 1 and art. 225a ust. 1 ustawy z 12 grudnia 2013 r. o cudzoziemcach (Act on Foreigners); art. 64 § 2 Kodeksu postępowania administracyjnego (Code of Administrative Procedure). How applications are filed: Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców) — MOS, questions and answers. Fee rates: fee table of the voivodeship office. Own commentary of the Centre for Foreigners' Affairs Services.