Is your company planning to scale in Poland? If so, you’ll need a talented group of employees to make the move. It can be challenging to obtain permits for international employees to live and work in Poland, as the priority goes to local nationals. 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, the European Economic Areas (EEA) member states, and Switzerland 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, non-EEA citizens, and non-Swiss citizens seeking entry into Poland for employment purposes, including:
- Work permit (Type A): This permit is required for non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss citizens who work for an employer in Poland.
- 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 National Visa D are available for a period longer than 90 days.
- 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. Workers seeking a long-term residence permit will need to provide proof of language proficiency. This can be achieved by passing a public exam, graduating from a Polish school or university, or presenting certificates from certain private exams or internal language exams at Polish universities.
Requirements to obtain Poland work visas
Employers must provide several documents to obtain a work permit on behalf of non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss employees. 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 an employer in Poland 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 work permit, some employers will need to conduct a labor market test. They should check with the Department of Foreigners to determine whether this is an obligation for their company. The purpose of this test is to determine whether there are any citizens of Poland or other EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals qualified to fill the position, as they would have priority.
If there are no eligible jobseekers in the market, the employer can apply for a work permit on behalf of the employee.
2. The application process
The employer is responsible for sponsoring 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 local government administrative division, 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.
3. Issuing the work permit
Work permits in Poland are issued by the Voivodeship office. Once the work permit application is approved, 3 copies of the permit will be made: 1 for the Voivodeship Office, 1 for the employer, and 1 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 jobs, their new employer will need to apply for an entirely new work permit.
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At this moment, G-P does not sponsor or offer support in the processing of work visas or permits in this particular location.