Temporary Residence Card Based on Family Reunification in Wrocław
Contents
Cooperation Process
01
Initial Free Consultation
1. During a personal meeting at our office, we assess your chances of obtaining a Residence Card;
2. We review your existing documents and propose the most suitable legalization pathway in Poland.
02
Step-by-Step Action Plan
1. We sign a service agreement with you; 2. We provide a personalized checklist of required documents; 3. We prepare a step-by-step action plan from the start of cooperation until obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit.
03
Preparation of All Required Documents
1. We complete all necessary application forms; 2. We contact your employer (or accountant) and jointly prepare the document package for submission; 3. We book an appointment for a personal visit to the voivodeship office; 4. We prepare photocopies and notarized copies of documents required for submission.
04
Full Support Until Receiving the Residence Card
1. On the day of the visit to the office, you will be accompanied by a personal specialist acting as your official representative (Pełnomocnik); 2. Throughout the review process, we maintain monthly contact with your employer (accountant) and request required additional documents (tax payment confirmations, contracts, etc.); 3. We monitor the status of your case daily, inform you of changes, and respond to official requests.
05
Completion of the Case
1. We accompany you on the day you receive your residence card; 2. We provide a substantial discount on all services of our company.
Basic
From 1000 zł
Only until the end of April
(Including 23% VAT)
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a document checklist
- Review of existing documents
- Completion of the residence card application in the MOS system
- Electronic submission of documents
- Additional services (upon agreement)
Full
2200 zł
1700 zł
Only until the end of April
(Including 23% VAT)
- Payment in 2 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a document checklist
- Collection and verification of all documents
- Completion of the residence card application in the MOS system
- Electronic submission of documents
- Assistance during personal submission
- Full control of your case
- Monthly submission of additional documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Preparation of a ponaglenie (acceleration request)
- Preparation of a complaint to the Administrative Court
- Creation of a trusted digital signature (Profil Zaufany)
- Creation of an electronic mailbox (E-Doręczenia)
- Assistance on the day of receiving the residence card
Required Documents
Residence Card (Karta Pobytu) in Poland
A residence card based on family reunification is a temporary residence permit issued for the purpose of family reunification (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu połączenia z rodziną). It is granted to the spouse and/or children of a foreigner who is already legally residing in Poland. Under Polish regulations, the emphasis is placed specifically on połączenie z rodziną — joining a family member who resides in Poland under a specific legal status and meets the conditions required to “accept” their family.
In practical terms, this means that you are not applying for a residence permit “in general,” but for a permit based on a specific family-related legal ground. The voivodeship office verifies not only the fact of marriage or kinship, but also the legal status of the person you are joining, the authenticity of family life, and the family’s financial stability.
In Wrocław, such cases are handled by the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki (according to your place of residence). This is where appointments and fingerprinting are scheduled and where the final decision is issued.
When Family Reunification Is the Right Basis — and When Another Basis Applies
The applicant must fall under the legal definition of a “family member” under Polish law. For cases handled in Wrocław (Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki), these categories are essentially the same as throughout Poland:
- A spouse in a legally registered marriage recognized under Polish law;
- A minor child of the applicant or of the spouse, including an adopted child;
- A minor child of a foreigner, provided that the foreigner actually exercises parental authority and participates in the child’s upbringing.
Important: If your relationship does not fall within the legal definition of a “family member” (for example, if you live together without being married), this is not classic “family reunification” but a different legal basis for temporary residence. In such cases, the document package is built according to a different legal logic.
Family reunification in Wrocław is possible if you are joining a foreigner who holds one of the following statuses in Poland:
Permanent Residence or a “Strong” Long-Term Status
Applicable when the spouse or parent holds pobyt stały or pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE.
International Protection
Applicable if the person holds refugee status or subsidiary protection. For families of such persons, the rules often provide certain simplifications; however, family ties and cohabitation must still be confirmed.
Temporary Residence That Has “Matured” for Family Reunification
This is a common situation: the spouse or parent holds a temporary residence permit, but the połączenie z rodziną procedure requires a certain period of residence based on such permits. In general terms, the inviting party must hold a temporary residence permit issued for a substantial period and must have actually lived in Poland under consecutive permits for a certain time. In practice, when a spouse’s temporary residence has lasted around two years, the application of the second family member is usually processed as family reunification.
If the Required Time Threshold Has Not Yet Been Met
In such cases, the spouse usually cannot automatically enter the łączenie rodzin procedure, and the residence permit is typically issued on a different basis — as residence with a foreigner. This is a separate category and should not be confused with family reunification.
General Conditions Verified in Wrocław for Family Reunification Applications
To obtain a residence card based on family reunification (połączenie z rodziną) in Wrocław, three key elements usually must be met:
1. Health Insurance in Poland
The applicant must have valid health insurance covering medical treatment in Poland (NFZ/ZUS or private insurance with actual coverage).
2. Stable Means of Financial Support
Confirmed funds sufficient to support the family are required. This usually involves regular, transparent income (most often the income of the “inviting” person and/or the combined family income). The income must be properly documented and sufficient for all family members.
3. Formally Confirmed Family Relationship or Marriage
There must be an official legal basis for the family relationship: a marriage certificate or proof of kinship recognized under Polish law. Additionally, there must be no indications of a fictitious relationship — the documents and facts must demonstrate a genuine family bond.
When applying specifically under połączenie z rodziną, the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki typically assesses these three elements together with the status of the inviting person and the overall family situation. Without meeting all three, a positive outcome is unlikely.
List of Documents for a Family Reunification Residence Card in Wrocław
Below is a standard list that is accepted as a basis in most cases (the final set depends on the status of the inviting person and your individual situation):
Application for temporary residence (wniosek na pobyt czasowy) — usually prepared in two copies; for children, in some cases one copy may be sufficient, depending on submission requirements.
Recent photographs (45×35 mm), passport-style, taken within the last few months.
Foreign passport: original for inspection and copies of all completed pages (visas, stamps, markings).
Proof of payment of the administrative fee for application processing (the amount depends on the category; proof of payment is mandatory).
Marriage or kinship document recognized under Polish law (e.g., marriage certificate or birth certificate, prepared in accordance with formal requirements).
Documents of the inviting person in Poland: residence card and/or decision granting residence, or another document confirming the status on which reunification is based.
Proof of accommodation in Poland (e.g., lease agreement, użyczenie, confirmation of residence, meldunek — depending on how accommodation is arranged).
Health insurance of the applicant (NFZ/ZUS or private insurance with actual coverage in Poland).
Proof of stable and regular income sufficient for the family (often the income of the inviting person and/or combined family income; the source and regularity must be clear).
When Can You Apply for a Residence Card Based on Family Reunification?
Below are typical situations with which applicants approach the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki in Wrocław. The key point is always the same: your option depends on the status of the person in Poland whom you are joining and whether the relationship qualifies as połączenie z rodziną.
1) Spouse Is a Foreigner Who Has Just Applied for Temporary Residence or Has Received the First Card
If your husband or wife is a foreigner who has just applied for temporary residence or already holds their first card, the second spouse may usually apply for temporary residence based on family ties, but often without automatic access to the labor market. This means that in many cases you will need a separate basis or work permit to be legally employed (exceptions depend on citizenship and special legal regimes, for example those applicable to Ukrainian citizens during periods of special protection).
In such cases, the most critical documents are the marriage certificate (properly оформed and translated into Polish if required) and proof of stable income sufficient for all family members.
2) Spouse Holds a “Strong” Status or Has Long-Term Residence Experience
If the inviting party is well established in Poland and holds a more stable status, applying based on family ties more often results in a residence card with access to the labor market (depending on the specific status and decision).
This usually applies to situations where the spouse holds, for example:
- permanent residence;
- temporary residence continuously for more than two years;
- an EU Blue Card;
- long-term EU resident status;
- or other permits that allow family members to join under more predictable conditions.
Key criteria assessed in such cases include income per family member, shared household and family life, and the authenticity of the marriage.
3) Relationship Without Marriage (Boyfriend/Girlfriend), Even If the Partner Resides Legally in Poland
If you are not married, this is generally not considered classic “family reunification” in a legal sense. In practice, such cases often result in a residence card without access to the labor market, and the partner’s income is not always considered automatic “family income” covering your expenses. Therefore, the applicant often needs their own employment contract (umowa o pracę, umowa zlecenie, etc.) or another lawful source of income properly reflected in the Polish tax and legal system.
4) Spouse Is a Polish Citizen
If your husband or wife is a Polish citizen, you apply for temporary residence based on marriage. In addition to the standard document package, this usually includes a copy of the spouse’s identity document, proof of marriage (if the marriage was registered in Poland — a Polish marriage certificate), and confirmation of joint residence and household.
The general pathway then looks as follows: after residing for a certain period under temporary residence, you may apply for permanent residence (stały pobyt) if the conditions are met (including continuity of stay and duration of marriage). After obtaining permanent residence and meeting the required timeframe, it may be possible to apply for Polish citizenship.
Important Note About “Residence Cards Without Access to the Labor Market”
A family-based residence card may be issued even when one spouse has just begun legalization and is applying for the first time. If the decision states that the card does not grant access to the labor market, this is not a “ban on work,” but an indication that you will need a separate legal basis or permit for employment each time you take up a new job (unless you fall under specific exemptions).
Advantages of a Family Reunification Residence Card in Wrocław
The key advantage of family-based residence is that it is not tied to a specific employer or a single employment contract. With a work-based residence permit, any significant change in employment often requires formal actions and sometimes a separate administrative procedure. Under połączenie z rodziną, your legal stay is based on family ties and the lawful residence of the inviting person, so changing jobs, switching employers, or having a temporary break in employment does not usually create a problem — provided that the family basis remains valid and the basic requirements (insurance, income, accommodation or cohabitation, depending on the case) are met.
A second advantage is convenience for those planning self-employment. With a family reunification residence card, you can often work not only as an employee but also open a sole proprietorship (JDG) and conduct business activities, provided your decision or status grants access to the labor market. For many people, this is more practical than being dependent on a single employer and one employment scheme. Business activity is also possible under a work-based residence permit, but it usually involves more restrictions and a higher risk of conflicts due to the “employer-specific” nature of the permit.
A third aspect is that it is easier for families to organize everyday and administrative life in Wrocław. When spouses and children share a unified residence logic, it is simpler to arrange address registration, long-term rental, schooling or kindergarten matters, medical services, and banking products. For renewals, you are more likely to follow the same pathway without changing the legal basis, as long as the family situation remains stable.
Another advantage is predictability. Compared to “special circumstances,” family-based residence is generally more foreseeable because it relies on a clear set of confirmations — marriage or kinship, shared life, income, and insurance. This basis is easier to substantiate with documents than cases where decisions depend heavily on subjective interpretation of facts.
Who Can Be Invited Under Family Reunification
The family reunification basis applies when one family member already legally resides in Poland (for example, under a residence card, EU long-term resident status, international protection, or citizenship), and another family member joins them through the połączenie z rodziną procedure. In most cases, applications are submitted for:
a spouse;
children under 18 years of age (including cases where the child is under the actual care of the parent).
In Wrocław, as in other voivodeships, authorities assess not only formal kinship but also the authenticity of family relationships. Formal documents without a clear family history may raise additional questions, especially if the marriage was concluded recently or outside Poland and shared family life is poorly reflected in documentation.
Validity Period of Family Reunification Residence Permits and What It Depends On
Family reunification residence permits in Wrocław are not issued “for any desired period,” but are linked to the status of the person you are joining. In practice, the validity of your residence card is usually limited by the expiration date of your spouse’s or parent’s residence permit. The logic is simple: a family residence card cannot be valid longer than the legal basis of the inviting party. If your spouse, for example, holds permanent residence, your temporary residence permit may be issued for up to three years.
When reviewing a case, the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki evaluates not only documents but also the family’s circumstances. If the application concerns a child, the best interests of the minor, the stability of family ties, and the length of actual residence in Poland are also taken into account.
If the Spouse or Child Is Still Outside Poland
It may happen that a family reunification decision has already been issued, but the family member is physically outside Poland. In such cases, the next step is to obtain a national visa in order to implement the granted permit and enter Poland. After entry, the issuance of the physical residence card is handled at the office in Wrocław where the case is processed.
Working Without a Separate Permit and Greater Flexibility in Employment
Family-based temporary residence grants the right to work in Poland without obtaining a separate work permit. For families, this is more convenient because you are not tied to a single employer and can change jobs without rebuilding the entire legal basis, as is often the case with work-based residence permits.
Additionally, having access to the labor market makes it easier to start self-employment (for example, opening a JDG), because the right to work is covered by the residence status itself rather than by a permit tied to a specific employer.
Verification of Marriage Authenticity and the Importance of Keeping Your Address Updated in Wrocław
Если основание идёт через супруга/супругу, управление во Вроцлаве вправе проверять, не является ли брак фиктивным. Это может проявляться не “на словах”, а через вопросы к истории отношений и анализ подтверждений совместной жизни. Поэтому документы, которые показывают реальное совместное проживание и понятную семейную картину, нужны не для формальности, а чтобы не провоцировать дополнительные сомнения.
Отдельно важно следить за актуальностью адреса проживания. Если вы меняете место жительства во Вроцлаве или в Нижнесилезском воеводстве, адрес в деле должен быть обновлён, иначе есть риск пропустить официальное уведомление или вызов по делу, что напрямую влияет на сроки рассмотрения и ход процедуры.
Assistance With Family Reunification Residence Permits in Wrocław
We provide comprehensive support for obtaining a family reunification residence card in Wrocław — from initial situation analysis to the final decision of the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki. This is not simply about “attaching a marriage certificate.” It is essential that the document package explains the family situation consistently, with housing, income, and insurance confirmations aligned in dates and logic and covering the required periods.
We handle both first-time applications and renewals, as well as more complex cases: changes in the status of the inviting spouse or parent, relocation within Poland, the birth of children, proper preparation of documents from another country, or bringing different documents into a unified format. Errors usually arise in details — deadlines, wording, confirmations — which is why we structure each case as a coherent system rather than endlessly supplementing it during the review process.
What We Do as Part of Our Support
Conduct consultations and determine whether your situation fits połączenie z rodziną or whether another legal basis is more appropriate;
Create a personalized document list based on your family situation and the status of the spouse or parent in Poland;
Prepare the inviting party’s documentation, explaining what must be confirmed regarding accommodation, income, and insurance, and in what form it is best submitted in Wrocław;
Verify marriage and children’s documents; arrange sworn translations if needed and bring all documents to a unified standard;
Prepare the application and attachments for submission in Wrocław, aligning dates and wording so that the package is consistent and free of contradictions;
Support the case during the review stage: prepare responses to official letters and wezwania, submit additional documents upon request;
If the review is delayed, prepare a ponaglenie and handle further administrative steps within the procedure;
After the decision, assist with receiving the residence card; prepare appeals if the reason for refusal can be addressed through documents and legal argumentation.
Family Reunification in Poland With the Support of SKILLDOCS in Wrocław
SKILLDOCS supports residence card applications in Wrocław. We analyze your situation, show which documents are truly key, and structure the case logic so that it is clear and consistent during review.
Our goal is not simply to “submit documents formally,” but to bring the process to a result — so that families can legally live together in Poland without status gaps and without unnecessary risks caused by an incorrect legal basis or a weak document package.
If you are planning to apply for a family reunification residence permit in Wrocław, submit a request to SKILLDOCS, and we will propose a clear and practical action plan tailored to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you obtained your residence card based on family reunification, you are not required to notify the voivodeship office about a change of employment.
The legal basis for your residence permit in this case is your spouse, not your job.
Therefore, you are only obliged to inform the office if there are changes related to your marriage (for example, divorce or separation).
If your spouse already holds a residence card or Polish citizenship, the processing time is standard and is approximately 3 months from the date of personal submission of the documents.
Additionally, you should allow extra time for the production of the residence card (plastic card).
If your spouse does not yet have a residence card or Polish citizenship, your application will be examined only after a positive decision is issued in your spouse’s case.
Yes, you may apply for a permanent residence permit (stały pobyt) provided that:
You have been continuously residing in Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of a temporary residence permit issued due to marriage to a Polish citizen, and
More than 3 years have passed since the date of your marriage.
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