Poland has updated the rules for submitting documents for temporary residence: what has changed since December 1, 2025

In Poland, the application form for a temporary residence permit and all attachments to it have been changed as of December 1, 2025. Find out what requirements have been updated, how documents are now submitted, what has changed in the fingerprinting procedure, and how Ukrainians can prepare

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On December 1, 2025, important changes came into effect in Poland — a new form for temporary residence permits (karta pobytu) and amended appendices to it. This means that all Ukrainians who submit documents after this date must use only the new forms.

According to inpoland.net.pl, the update was implemented on the basis of an order of the Minister of Internal Affairs and Administration dated November 25, 2025. The need for change arose due to amendments to the Law on Foreigners (April 24, 2025) and the Law on the Conditions for Admissibility of Foreigners to Work (March 20, 2025). Both documents significantly changed the rules for legalization and employment of foreigners.

Below is detailed information about what exactly is changing and how to prepare for it.

Updated application form and attachments: what requirements are now in effect

New forms came into effect on December 1:

● temporary residence application forms,

● attachments to the application, which are submitted depending on the purpose of stay (work, study, entrepreneurial activity, etc.).

The forms have been updated to comply with the new laws, in particular the requirements for confirming the grounds for stay, financial security, and the legality of employment.

Important: old forms are no longer accepted, even if the documents were completed earlier.

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More technical requirements: photos, biometrics, data registration

The new rules also change a number of technical aspects:

1. Number of photos. The number of photos to be attached to the application has been clarified. There is a separate list for each category — it is now unified and linked to the updated regulations.

2. Technical parameters of photographs. Photographs must comply with new biometric requirements: exact format, background requirements, head position and facial expression, no shadows or blurring. Violation of technical requirements may be grounds for refusal to accept documents.

3. Fingerprinting. The procedure for collecting biometric data has been changed. Fingerprints are now taken according to an updated protocol, unified with European standards for document personalization.

4. Stamp in the passport. There is a new stamp that confirms the submission of the application. This stamp guarantees the legality of stay until the completion of the review procedure.

5. Registration and data transfer. The procedure for registering personal data in the system, transferring it for the production of a residence card, and correcting technical errors has been regulated.

These changes should reduce delays in issuing cards and errors in personal data, which previously often occurred in provincial offices.

Why Poland changed the document submission procedure

The updates are related to a large-scale reform of the employment and residence of foreigners. Poland seeks to:

● strengthen control over legalization,

● unify procedures with EU standards,

● eliminate conflicts in laws that arose after numerous changes in 2022–2025,

● prevent fraud, in particular fictitious applications based on employment.

At the same time, for Ukrainians, this means increased requirements for the correctness of documents. That is why many citizens turn to lawyers to ensure that their documents are prepared correctly. The Visit Ukraine platform offers consultations with immigration lawyers who help check applications, clarify new requirements, and avoid rejections due to formal inaccuracies. This is especially relevant during the transition to the new rules.

We remind you! Poland is preparing for new rules on the employment of foreigners in 2026, which will affect Ukrainians and businesses. Read about the changes being prepared by the state, what will happen to the special law, what the risks will be for employees and employers, and how to prepare in advance.

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