Family reunion
Contents
Collaborative process
01
Initial free consultation
1. At a personal meeting in our office, we will assess your chances of receiving Residence card, 2. We will check your documents and suggest the best way of legalization in Poland.
02
Drawing up a step-by-step algorithm of actions
1. We will enter into a service contract with you; 2. Provide a personal checklist of necessary documents; 3. We will provide a step-by-step algorithm of actions from the beginning of our joint work to obtaining a residence permit / permanent residence permit.
03
Preparation of all necessary documents
1. We will fill out all necessary questionnaires; 2. We will contact your employer (accountant) and jointly prepare the application package; 3. We will book a date for a personal visit to the Department for Foreigners (Urząd); 4. We will prepare photocopies and notarized copies of the documents required for filing.
04
Full accompaniment until the receipt of a residence card
1. On the day of the visit you will be accompanied by a personal specialist who will act as an official representative (Pełnomocnik); 2. Throughout the whole process of the case We will contact your employer (accountant) on a monthly basis and request the documents necessary for reporting (proof of tax payment, contracts, etc.); 3. We will monitor the status of your case on a daily basis, inform you about changes, respond to calls.
05
Follow-through
1. We accompany you on the day you receive your residence card; 2. We provide a good discount on all services of our company.
Basic
1000 zł
Only until the end of March!
(“Including VAT 23%”)
- Payment in 2 stages
- Legal consultation
- Review of existing documents
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Filling out the residence card application
- Electronic submission of documents
Full
1750 zł
1500 zł
Only until the end of March!
(“Including VAT 23%”)
- Payment in 3 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Review and collection of all documents
- Filling out the residence card application in the MOS system
- Assistance during in-person submission
- Full case management
- Monthly submission of documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Electronic submission of documents
Accelerated
2200 zł
2000 zł
Only until the end of March!
(“Including VAT 23%”)
- Payment in 3 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Review and collection of all documents
- Collection and preparation of documents from the employer
- Filling out the residence card application in the MOS system
- Assistance during in-person submission
- Full case management
- Drafting ponaglenie (request to expedite the case)
- Monthly submission of documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Assistance on the day of receiving the card
- Electronic submission of documents
- Creating an electronic digital signature “Profil Zaufany”
- Creating an electronic mailbox “E-Doręczenia”
Required documents
It is important to take into account that each case of a residence card is considered individually, and additional documents may be required.
residence card (karta pobytu)
If you have moved to Poland and plan to stay for a long time, applying for a residence permit is the right decision and our specialists will be happy to help you.
A residence card (or residence permit) is a document granting the right to stay in Poland to a citizen of another country for a certain period of time.
There are two types of residence permits: temporary residence permit (pobyt czasowy) and permanent residence permit (pobyt stały). A residence permit can be obtained for up to three years, a temporary residence permit.
- for an indefinite period of time, with the need to replace the card every 10 years.
Advantages of the residence card
- No need to apply for a visa on a regular basis;
- Ability to move freely throughout the European Union without the need for a visa;
- No need to obtain a work permit;
- Possibility to purchase real estate, obtain favorable credit terms, benefits from the state;
- The prospect of obtaining Polish citizenship;
- And much more!
Which Residence card (Karta pobytu) is right for you?
Temporary residence permit (temporary residence card). The grounds for obtaining it are: studying in Poland, working or doing business in Poland, family reunification, and others. Permanent residence permit (permanent residence card). The grounds are: having Polish descent, having a Pole card, marriage to a Polish citizen, etc. Our experienced lawyers will analyze your situation and help you choose the most suitable option.
A residence card on the basis of family reunification.
It is possible to get a residence card on the basis of having a spouse or even a boyfriend/girlfriend in Poland, but there are nuances. In one case you will receive a residence card without access to the labour market, in another case you will be granted access, and some people can even get a permanent residence permit and citizenship.
When can you apply for a residence card on the basis of family reunification?
Your spouse is a foreigner who has just applied for a residence permit (Pobyt Czasowy) or already has a first residence permit. In this case, you can apply for a residence permit without access to the labour market. This means that in order to start working you will need to obtain a work permit (does not apply to Ukrainian citizens during the period of temporary protection). The application package must include a marriage certificate with a translation into Polish, and you will need a stable and regular income, which should be sufficient for all family members. Your spouse is a foreigner who has one of the following cards: - permanent residence permit; - temporary residence permit for more than 2 years; - blue card; - long-term resident's EU residence permit ; - etc.
In such a situation you can apply for a residence card with access to the labor market. The main criteria for a positive decision will be: having a minimum income for each family member, maintaining a joint household and authenticity of marriage.
Your boyfriend/girlfriend is a Polish citizen or has a residence permit. Here it is important to understand that the card will be without access to the labor market, and also the income of the boyfriend/girlfriend will not be considered as a total income that can cover the expenses of both of them. In such a case, it is necessary to have your own employment contract or to draw up a so-called annuity contract, which is registered with the Polish tax office.
Your spouse has Polish citizenship. In such a situation, you claim for an residence permit, and from the documents you need to provide, in addition to the standard ones, a copy of the spouse's ID card, a marriage certificate issued in Poland, documents confirming cohabitation and the existence of a joint household. Then, after living for 2 years on the residence permit, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (provided that you have been continuously staying in Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of an residence permit card obtained in connection with marriage to a Polish citizen and more than 3 years have passed since the conclusion of your marriage). After you have been living in Poland for another 2 years, you can apply for citizenship.
A Karta Pobytu (residence card) on the basis of family reunification can be obtained in almost any case, even if only one of the spouses is working and has applied for a residence permit for the first time. You should not be upset if you have a residence card “without access to the labor market”. This does not mean that you cannot work in this country, it just means that you will need to obtain a work permit for each new employment.
Residence Card Based on Family Reunification in Poland
Family reunification is a legal basis for obtaining a residence card that allows family members to legally reside in Poland together with a close relative who already holds a lawful residence status. Most commonly, this applies to a spouse and minor children, and in certain cases also to other dependent family members.
This type of residence permit is chosen not for formal reasons, but for stability. It allows families to live together without being divided between different countries and to build a normal daily life in Poland without constant visa restrictions.
Who Can Be Brought to Poland Through Family Reunification
The family reunification basis applies when one family member legally resides in Poland on the basis of a residence card, EU long-term resident status, or Polish citizenship. In most cases, the application is submitted for a husband or wife, as well as for children under the age of 18.
It is important to understand that the authorities assess not only the formal family relationship, but also the genuine nature of the family ties. Documents alone, without a coherent and logical family history, may raise additional questions, especially if the marriage was concluded recently or outside Poland.
What the Authorities Verify When Applying for a Family-Based Residence Permit
When reviewing family reunification cases, the authorities examine several key factors, assessing them collectively rather than in isolation. They verify the legal status of the main applicant, the existence of sufficient income to support the family, and the availability of appropriate accommodation.
Particular importance is placed on confirming the factual existence of family relationships. This may include joint residence, correspondence, shared children, or common future plans. The clearer and more logical the family situation appears, the smoother the procedure tends to be.
Family Reunification Residence Card and the Right to Work
One of the most common questions concerns the right to work. A residence card issued on the basis of family reunification generally grants the right to work in Poland without the need for an additional work permit. However, this depends on the status of the main family member and the specific conditions under which the residence card was issued.
It is at this stage that mistakes often occur, when applicants misinterpret their rights after obtaining residence. Therefore, it is essential to understand in advance what rights a particular residence card provides and what limitations may apply.
In addition, a residence card obtained through family reunification allows the holder to register a sole proprietorship (JDG) in Poland.
Extension of a Family-Based Residence Card
The extension of a residence card based on family reunification is not automatic. The authorities reassess the situation and verify whether the grounds for joint residence still exist. This means that family relationships must remain valid not only at the time of the initial application, but throughout the entire period of the residence card’s validity.
In practice, extensions are often accompanied by additional requests, especially if there have been changes in income, place of residence, or the status of the main applicant. Preparing for an extension requires the same level of attention as the initial application.
Why Family Reunification Cases Are Often Delayed
Despite their apparent simplicity, family reunification cases are frequently processed longer than applicants expect. The main reason is doubt on the part of the authorities regarding the authenticity of family relationships or an insufficient body of evidence.
Errors in documentation, inconsistencies in dates, or an overly formal approach to case preparation can result in prolonged proceedings or additional checks. This is why such cases require a careful and well-thought-out approach.
Family Reunification in Poland with SKILLDOCS Support
SKILLDOCS provides comprehensive support in obtaining a residence card based on family reunification at every stage of the process. We analyze each situation, advise which documents are truly essential, help structure the case logically, and, when necessary, communicate with the authorities on the client’s behalf.
Our goal is not merely to submit an application, but to ensure that families can legally and peacefully live together in Poland without unnecessary risks or lengthy procedures.
If you are planning to apply for a temporary residence permit based on family reunification in Poland, leave an application on the SKILLDOCS website, and we will recommend the most effective course of action for your specific situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your spouse has a residence card or citizenship, the processing time is standard and is ~3 months from the date of personal submission of documents. It is also worth considering the time it will take for the plastic to be printed.
If your spouse does not yet have a residence card or citizenship, your case will be processed only after a positive decision on your spouse's case.
You can apply for a stalego pobytu card provided that you have been in Poland for at least 2 years continuously on the basis of a stalego pobytu card obtained in connection with your marriage to a Polish citizen and more than 3 years have passed since your marriage.
Free consultation
within 30 minutes
- SKILLDOCS SP. z O.O.
- KRS: 0000966749
- NIP: 5252904413
