Is your company planning an expansion to Poland? If so, you’ll need a talented group of employees to make the move. It can be challenging to obtain permits for foreign employees to live and work in Poland, as the priority goes to Polish citizens. However, understanding the process and requirements for obtaining visas and work permits can help.
Types of Work Visas in Poland
Because Poland is a member of the European Union (EU), citizens of other EU member states do not need a permit to work there. Most other individuals will need a visa to stay in the country as well as a permit to work.
There are several types of visas available for non-EU citizens seeking entry into Poland for employment purposes, including:
Work Permit (Type A): This permit is required for foreign individuals who work for a Polish employer.
Work Permit (Type C or E): This permit is available for those sent to work in Poland through an intracompany transfer.
Business visa (Schengen Visa C or D)
Freelance/entrepreneur visa
Each type of work permit has its own requirements. Remember that employees will need both a valid visa or residence permit and a work permit.
Poland Work Permit
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Requirements to Obtain Poland Work Visas
The employer must provide several documents to obtain a work permit on behalf of a foreign employee. These documents include:
A completed application form
Evidence of payment of application fees
Confirmation of the legal status of the employer from the National Court Register
Current records of the employer’s economic activity
Copies of the applicant’s passport pages with relevant travel information
Evidence that the applicant has health insurance
A deed for the company
A copy of a statement regarding profits or losses sustained by the employer
A copy of a contract in accordance with the service being provided in Poland
Application Process
Individuals planning to work in Poland will need a Polish employer to apply for a work permit on their behalf. There are several steps in the application process.
1. Conducting a Labor Market Test
Before beginning an application for a foreign work permit, the employer must conduct a labor market test. The purpose of this test is to determine whether there are any Polish citizens or other EU nationals qualified to fill the position. These individuals have priority over foreign nationals.
If there are no eligible job seekers in the market, the employer can apply for a work permit on behalf of a foreigner.
Poland Work Permit
2. The Application Process
The employer is responsible for the work permit application. With the application, the employer will need to include documentation proving that the following conditions are satisfied:
The conditions of employment are favorable under all applicable employment regulations, including provisions of the Labor Code.
Remuneration is no more than 30% lower than the average monthly wage, according to the Voivodeship Office.
The employer will also need to include the required documents listed above. It’s the employee’s responsibility to provide the employer with the necessary personal documents, such as passport pages.
3. Issuing the Work Permit
Polish work permits are issued by the local government head of the land, the Voivode. Once the work permit application is approved, three copies of the permit will be made: one for the Voivodeship Office, one for the employer, and one for the employee. The employer is responsible for giving the work permit to the employee. The employee can then begin to work legally in Poland.
Other Important Considerations
Employees should be aware that their work permit is only valid for the time they stay with the company that applied for it on their behalf. Should they want to switch careers, their new employer will need to apply for an entirely new permit.
