How long to wait for a residence card in Poland in 2025: current deadlines by province and tips for applicants

The waiting time for a residence card in Poland depends on the region, the type of document, and the workload of the provinces. Find out the current deadlines for 2025, statistics, and practical tips for migrants

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Obtaining a residence card in Poland is one of the key steps for foreigners who plan to live and work legally in this country. However, every year more and more people face delays in the processing of their applications. According to in-poland, in 2024, the average waiting time for a decision on an application for a temporary residence permit exceeded 300 days, and in some regions exceeded 550 days.

Let's figure out what determines the duration of the procedure, how long it actually takes to get a residence card in different provinces of Poland, and what to do if the process is delayed.

How long does it officially take to process an application for a residence card?

According to Polish law, the maximum period for processing a complete set of documents for a residence card (tymczasowy pobyt) is up to 3 months. In complex cases, up to 6 months. However, the actual practice is far from the official framework.

The reasons for the delay may vary:

● excessive workload on provincial authorities (it should be noted that in recent years there has been a significant increase in the number of applications from foreigners, especially from Ukraine and Asian countries),

● lack of sufficient staff,

● inaccuracies in the documents submitted,

● additional checks by the migration service.

As a result, the average processing time for applications in 2024 is already over 300 days, and in some provinces — over 550 days.

Read also: When does the application process for a CUKR residence card begin?

Current statistics: how long to wait for a residence card in different regions of Poland in 2025

According to updated data for 2023-2024, waiting times vary significantly between provinces.

Regions with the longest waiting times:

● Opole Province — 578 days (compared to 425 in 2023)

● Kuyavian-Pomeranian — 517 days (464 in 2023)

● Lower Silesian — 485 days (451 in 2023)

Regions with the shortest waiting times:

● Lesser Poland — 145 days (128 in 2023)

● Warmian-Masurian — 176 days (134 in 2023)

● Podkarpackie — 189 days (135 in 2023)

These figures show that the average waiting time exceeds 10 months, and in some regions even a year and a half. When choosing a province to submit your application, it is worth considering not only your place of work or residence, but also the speed of processing.

How have the processing times for residence cards changed from 2014 to 2024?

Analytics for the last decade show a steady upward trend in the processing times for temporary residence permits in Poland:

● 2014 — 62 days

● 2016 — 119 days

● 2019 — 236 days

● 2022 — 306 days

● 2024 — 302 days

Overall, the average waiting time has increased almost fivefold in 10 years. And despite attempts at digitization and optimization, the problem of the migration system's overload remains unresolved.

Read also: How many Ukrainians have obtained Polish citizenship in the last 10 years?

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How to check the status of a residence card application?

The applicant can track the status of their application in several ways:

● contact the relevant provincial office directly;

● check the status via the online platform (in provinces where this option is available);

● call the hotline or send a request by email to the office.

If you have not received a response within a few months, Visit Ukraine experts advise contacting a lawyer who will help you formulate an official request and accompany you throughout the process.

What to do if your residence card is not issued for a long time?

If more than 3–6 months have passed since you submitted your application and you have not received any response, take the following steps:

1. Check that your documents are complete. Sometimes delays are caused by errors or the omission of even a single document.

2. Send an official request by email to the provincial office asking for updated information.

3. Contact lawyers who specialize in migration issues. They will help you draft the correct requests and speed up the process.

The Visit Ukraine lawyer`s team provides professional assistance in legalizing your stay in Poland, applying for a residence card, checking documents, and representing your interests in provincial offices. If you feel that the process is being delayed without explanation, do not hesitate to consult us.

We remind you! New rules for residence cards have already come into force in Poland. The law narrows the list of grounds for obtaining a residence card and restricts the circle of foreigners who can apply for one. Read our previous article to find out who is affected by the changes and who retains the right to legalize their stay.

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