Legalisation in Poland: residence permit, CUKR and citizenship
Legalisation in Poland — is not a single form «for a card», but a choice of basis that will not be turned down six months later. Some people need temporary residence for work, others permanent residence by ancestry; for Ukrainians holding UKR status, in 2026 it is often more sensible to apply for the CUKR card, while citizenship is a completely different procedure.
From 27 April 2026 temporary residence, permanent residence and the EU long-term resident card are filed via MOS only (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl). Karta Polaka, confirmation of citizenship and citizenship granted by the President are filed separately, outside MOS. We choose the path first, then we assemble the pack — not the other way round.
MIA CONSULT GROUP handles legalisation in Warsaw, the Tri-City, Kraków, Łódź and Wrocław in person, and across Poland online. We handle your account, translations, the MOS filing, biometrics appointments when summoned, and replies to the office. We do not promise "one month for everyone with no refusals".
Consultation on legalisation in Poland
We will save you time and take the difficult parts on ourselves.
We will review the documents and propose the best option for your situation.
If we cannot deliver the service, we will refund you or file again at our own cost.
Who legalisation in Poland is for
If you are already in Poland or only planning to enter — there is almost always at least one workable basis. The point of the consultation is not to sell a «full pack of everything», but to cut out what you don't need.
- you work and the employer is ready to sign the annex in MOS — Residence permit for work;
- you have an operating company or JDG — Residence permit for business;
- you study full-time — Residence permit for students;
- your family is already here legally or your spouse is a Polish citizen — family reunification;
- your ancestors have a link to Poland — Karta Polaka or permanent residence by ancestry;
- you hold UKR status and meet the conditions — CUKR.
Citizenship of Belarus, Ukraine, Russia or Kazakhstan neither grants nor blocks anything on its own. We look at documents and status, not the flag.
Legalisation in Poland for Ukrainians. A common choice in 2026: stay on UKR status until 4 March 2027, or switch to CUKR (3 years of temporary stay, MOS from 4 May 2026). The special act ≠ permanent residence by ancestry ≠ asylum. We do not mix them in one folder.
Legalisation in Poland for Belarusians. More often work, business, studies, Karta Polaka, ancestry.
To have us run the case — a request «Get the service» or a consultation. Full support — Warsaw, the Tri-City, Kraków, Łódź and Wrocław. Partial (MOS, the pack, the account) — any region.
On the call we do not sell every basis at once. We say which single one works for you, what it costs and where the refusal risk sits.
LEGALISATION IN POLAND
from 700 PLN / netto
CUKR — 700 PLN / netto · most residence cards — from 1500
Next family member -50% · children under 6 — free
Consultation | Choosing one basis, not «we will file everything»
The pack and MOS (or the consulate / voivode — if this is Karta Polaka or citizenship)
Support through to the card: Warsaw, Gdańsk, Kraków, Łódź and Wrocław
How legalisation is filed now: MOS, the appointment, and what does not go into MOS
From 27 April 2026 temporary residence, permanent residence and the EU long-term resident card — MOS only. A Trusted Profile or a qualified signature. The employer and the university must sign the annexes for your filing in the online system.
Then a summons: fingerprints, a signature, the original passport. Do not confuse this with CUKR: with a complete file, applicants are often invited directly to collect the ready card.
Not MOS: Karta Polaka, confirmation of citizenship, citizenship via the President, some consular stories.
The primary source on electronic applications: UDSC on MOS.
Grounds for legalising a foreigner's stay in Poland:
Temporary residence, permanent residence, CUKR, Karta Polaka, citizenship — each block leads to a detailed page.
1. Residence permit for work — the most common basis
If you have an employer, we usually go for a residence card for work: a single permit for stay and work. From 2026 the application is in MOS; the employer's annex is signed with the electronic signature of a company representative.
You need a live contract, income, housing and insurance.
2. Residence permit for business — JDG and a company
Residence permit for business works when the activity is genuine: turnover, taxes, contracts — not «we opened a Sp. z o.o. and we wait for the card». The office can tell a real business from a shell.
Filing is via MOS as well.
3. Residence permit for students
Student residence permit — enrolment, tuition paid, funds, insurance. You may work within the student rules; that is not a substitute for a work-based card.
4. Family reunification
Family residence permit is built on the status of the person you are joining and on the family documents. A family member of a Polish citizen and a family member of a foreigner with a card sit on different shelves of the law. Housing and the inviting person's income are almost always checked. Holiday photos are not proof of a marriage, but you cannot ignore a shared household either.
5. Karta Polaka and permanent residence by ancestry — two different paths
Karta Polaka is not a residence permit in itself: consulate or voivode, an interview in Polish, not MOS. Then — permanent residence with Karta Polaka via MOS, if you genuinely intend to live in Poland.
If you do not have Karta Polaka, but your ancestors have a link to Poland — permanent residence by origin. A B1 language exam is usually not required for permanent residence by ancestry or with a Karta Polaka. It is, however, required for the EU long-term resident card and often for citizenship applications. Papers first, then the interview or MOS.
6. Repatriation — a narrow statute, not a substitute for Karta Polaka
A repatriation visa and accelerated citizenship are for a specific history of displacement and territories. Then — permanent residence and citizenship.
7. UKR, CUKR, humanitarian residence and asylum — not the same thing
UKR — temporary protection, until 4 March 2027; leaving the country for more than 30 days often forfeits this status.
CUKR — a move to 3 years of temporary stay via MOS from 4 May 2026. In detail: the CUKR card.
Humanitarian residence permit — humanitarian residence permit: page.
Asylum / protection — an interview at UDSC, evidence of persecution.
8. Marriage to a Polish citizen — residence permit, then permanent residence, then a passport
Usually you start with temporary residence on the basis of marriage (MOS): a genuine relationship and shared household, not a sham marriage. The card is issued for up to 3 years, then extended if the marriage and household are still there.
For citizenship by recognition a typical landmark is: 3 years of marriage and 2 years already holding permanent residence or EU long-term resident status, plus B1. Not «two years on a temporary card — and a passport». All paths in detail: Polish citizenship.
Separately we keep in mind the EU resident card: 5 years of legal stay, income, B1, a card for 5 years, the status itself is granted for an indefinite period. This is distinct from permanent residence and should not be confused with it.
In short: legalisation in Poland — frequent questions
Where do I start if I am already in the country? By taking stock of your current status: visa, residence card, UKR protection, entry stamp. Then one basis for MOS or Karta Polaka.
Can it be done without leaving? Often yes, if your stay is still lawful and you file in MOS before the last day of the card. Not always — we look at the calendar.
Do I need Polish? For work and CUKR — usually not. For Karta Polaka — an interview. For the EU long-term resident card and many citizenship routes — B1.
How long does it take? Voivodeships differ. We do not sell «guaranteed in 3 months». We sell a clear sequence of steps and control of the office's requests.
How much does it cost? Our work from 700 PLN / netto; the state has its own fees (for CUKR, for example, 340+100 PLN). We will name both figures before the contract.
Documents and MOS: what to upload and what to bring to the appointment
Temporary residence, permanent residence and the EU long-term resident card from 2026 — electronically in MOS. Karta Polaka — consulate / voivode. Citizenship — voivode, consulate or the President. Confusing the different portals/procedures is a common way to lose the remaining validity of your card.
There is no one-size-fits-all checklist. What usually repeats: passport, the basis (contract / company / enrolment / family certificates / archive / PESEL UKR), housing, income if the law asks for it, a digital photo, the fee, sworn translations.
B1 is not required for every card. CUKR and permanent residence with Karta Polaka / by ancestry usually do not need it. The EU long-term resident card and most citizenship routes do.
How legalisation in Poland works
We will work out which single basis works: work, business, studies, family, Karta Polaka, ancestry, CUKR, citizenship.
We will assemble the pack and the translations. If MOS is needed — a Trusted Profile / signature, the employer's annexes, photos.
We will file in MOS or, if this is Karta Polaka / citizenship, at the consulate or with the voivode. We no longer promise a paper «appointment to file» for residence cards.
We will accompany you to the appointment when summoned and then handle the requests.
We take the case through to the card or the decision. A Polish passport is issued only after citizenship is granted, as a separate, subsequent step.
Why legalise your stay with MIA CONSULT GROUP
Experience and expertise
A clear reading of your situation and expert help from specialists with 10+ years of practice.
Individual approach
We solve the case as a whole — for you and your family, in line with your plans.
Professional advice
Our specialists propose the most suitable legalisation path for your current situation and long-term plans.
Easy communication
Our offices are in Warsaw and Sopot. Most services are available online, from home or the office, with a short turnaround.
Full range of services
We help with legalisation as well as company setup, accounting, tax and HR in Poland.
Multilingual specialists
We work in Polish, English and Russian and act as your representative before the relevant authorities.
Types of legalisation in Poland we handle:
Temporary residence: overview, work, business, studies, family, CUKR.
Permanent: permanent residence, ancestry, Karta Polaka, EU resident.
Also: Karta Polaka, citizenship, humanitarian residence.
Ukrainians — often CUKR or work. Belarusians — work, business, Karta Polaka, ancestry.
Our legalisation services in Poland
What legalisation support includes:
- choosing the basis at the consultation;
- the pack, sworn translations, MOS or the consulate;
- a power of attorney and correspondence with the office where that is appropriate;
- attending biometrics when summoned;
- citizenship and Karta Polaka as separate procedures;
- a personal account with the case status.
Cost of the service: from 700 PLN / netto (CUKR) and from 1500 for most cards.
Legalisation support from MIA CONSULT GROUP
- we do not mix up MOS, Karta Polaka and citizenship;
- we do not mix up CUKR, UKR, permanent residence and the EU long-term resident card;
- we do not book you «to file at the office» if the law already requires the portal;
Leave a request. We will call back in working hours Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00. Legalisation in Poland starts with a conversation about the status you hold today, not with a dream about a passport.
Need help with legalisation in Poland?
Leave a request — we will call you back within 10 minutes.
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
