Poland - Researcher

Where and how to apply

The hosting agreement may be concluded between the researcher and research institution referred to in Article 2 item 9 of Act of 30 April 2010 on the terms of financing education (JoL No.96, item 615, as amended) which was approved for that purpose by the minister competent for education.

The current list of approved research institutions is published in the official journal of the minister competent for education – see the list.

The research institution may conclude the hosting agreement with the researcher when:

1. this project was approved by relevant authorities of the scientific unit;
2. the researcher for the time of residence on the territory of the Republic of Poland has:

a) sufficient funds to cover costs of residence and costs of travel back to the country of origin or residence or cost of transit to a third country which grants the travel permit,

b) health insurance as defined by Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from the public funds or confirmation of insurer’s coverage of medical treatment costs on the territory of the Republic of Poland.

Competent authorities of the research institution during the analysis of approval of the research project, take into account:

1. purpose and duration of the research or development works and funds necessary for their implementation;
2. documents which certify the researcher’s qualifications which are important owing to conducted research or development works.

The hosting agreement for the purposes of carrying out research project is concluded as the employment contract, task-specific contract or mandate contract including, in particular:

1. liability of: a) the scientist to participate in the research project, b) the research institution to create for the researcher relevant conditions to implement his/her liabilities;
2. identification of the researcher’s remuneration and conditions of his/her work.

Additionally, the research institution should issue for the researcher relevant written statement in which it undertakes to sustain the researcher ‘s residence costs on the territory of the Republic of Poland, as well as cost of execution of the decision which obligates the foreigner to leave the country, covered from public funds before the end of 6 months from the date of expiry of the hosting agreement if the basis for issuing the decision which obligates the foreigner to return is his/her illegal residence on the territory of the Republic of Poland.

The foreigner makes the application personally, no later than on the last day of the lawful residence on the territory of the Republic of Poland to the voivode competent with regard to the foreigner’s place of residence.

Documents required

Necessary:

1. Completed form of the application for temporary residence permit, in accordance with information;
2. 4 up-to-date photographs;
3. Photocopy of a valid travel document (original available for inspection), in particularly justified case if the foreigner does not have a valid travel document and it is not possible to obtain such document, may present another document which confirms his/her identity.

Note: Lack of any of the aforementioned documents will result in margin call within 7 days from its delivery, under pain of leaving the application without examination.

Standard documents necessary for examination of the application:

Note: Documents listed below attached to the application may reduce the quantity of official correspondence and shorten the time which is necessary to handle the case.

1. The hosting agreement for the purposes of carrying out research project concluded with a research institution with the registered office on the territory of the Republic of Poland (the researcher who has the residence permit with an annotation ” researcher “, issued by other EU member state presents the hosting agreement concluded with research institution with the registered office on the territory of another EU member state);
2. Written statement of the research institution in which it undertakes to sustain the researcher ‘s residence costs on the territory of the Republic of Poland, as well as cost of execution of the decision which obligates the foreigner to leave the country covered from public funds before the end of 6 months from the date of expiry of the contract if the basis for issuing this decision which obligates the foreigner to leave the country is his/her illegal residence on the territory of the Republic of Poland;
3. Health insurance as defined by Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from the public funds or confirmation of insurer’s coverage of medical treatment costs on the territory of the Republic of Poland;
4. Sufficient funds to cover subsistence costs and costs of travel back to the country of origin or residence or cost of transit to a third country which shall grant the travel permit or submit documents which certify these funds.

Duration of validity of permits

A decision on approval of the research institution shall be issued at its request for a period of 5 years, or – in particularly justified cases – for a shorter period.

Long-term residence

Polish law makes a distinction between a permanent residence permit and the EU long-term residence permit.

Permanent residence permit

A decision on granting a permanent residence permit is issued for an indefinite period. A residence card remains valid for 10 years, which means that it should be replaced every 10 years.

A permanent residence permit issued in Poland does not entitle the foreigner to take up work in another country.

A permanent residence permit entitles the foreigner to travel to other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for tourism purposes

More on permanent residence permit

EU long-term residence permit

The foreigner who has been staying legally and continuously on the territory of the Republic of Poland staying for at least 5 years directly prior to submission of the application for granting this permits and meets the following conditions:

1. has a source of stable and regular income adequate to cover the means of subsistence for them and their family members who are subsisted by them;
2. has health insurance as defined by the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from the public funds or a certificate confirming that the costs of medical treatment on the territory of the Republic of Poland shall be covered by an insurer.

The permit is granted for indefinite time.

Note for important exceptions:

1.In the case of mobile holders of the so-called EU Blue Card: The required 5-year period of residence on the territory of Poland, shall include the total period of legal residence on the territory of the European Union, if the foreigner was staying legally and continuously at this territory for at least 5 years on the basis of the residence document with an annotation ” EU Blue Card ” issued by a Member State of the European Union, including Poland – for at least 2 years directly prior to submission of the application for granting the permit for stay of a long-term resident of EU on the basis of a permit for temporary residence for the purpose of work in profession requiring high qualifications.

2.In the case of foreigners who stay for the purpose of studies or continue their legal residence in Poland after completing these studies: foreigners who stay in Poland for the purpose of studies not may apply for a residence permit for EU long-term resident. Foreigners residing in Poland due to their intention to take up or continue education also cannot apply for this permit. The 5-year period of residence, determining obtaining of the aforementioned permit shall include half of the period of stay on the basis of a visa issued for the purpose of study programs or on the basis of a residence permit for the purpose of receiving higher education.