Spreadsheet: 1d250c4a-3eb1-4813-ba20-e5174062c998
Sheet: Employment

Common Business and Employment Categories - Poland
 |  | Work visa | Work permit type A | Work permit type B | Work permit type C | Work permit type D | Work permit type E | Residence permit for highly qualified foreigners (EU Blue Card) | Residence permit with right to work
Work / Employment | Applicability? | Foreigners coming to Poland to work. Visa only gives the holder the right to stay in the territory of Poland, and not the right to work. Right to work is separate - the foreigner must either have an appropriate work permit or belong to a category of foreigners exempt from the work permit requirement. | Foreigners intending to work in Poland under employment relationship with a Polish employer. Right of stay (if required)  must be obtained seperately. | Foreigners intending to perform function of member of management board of Polish company, and staying in the territory of Poland for a period of over 6 months in each 12-month period.  Right of stay (if required)  must be obtained seperately. | Foreigners intending to be seconded to Poland by a foreign employer for a period exceeding 30 days within 1 year, to work at a company associated with the employer. Right of stay (if required)  must be obtained seperately. | Foreigners intending to be transferred to Poland by a foreign employer for the purpose of performing a temporary service.  Right of stay (if required)  must be obtained seperately. | Foreigners intending to be transferred to Poland by a foreign employer for a period exceeding 30 days within 6 months, for purposes other than those of work permits B, C and D.  Right of stay (if required)  must be obtained seperately. | Foreigners intending to perform work in Poland in a profession which requires high qualifications. This permit involves the right to stay in Poland, as well as the right to work in Poland. | Foreigners intending to work in Poland under employment relationship with a Polish employer. This permit involves the right to stay in Poland, as well as the right to work in Poland.
 | Quota or [NAME]? | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No
 | Is Secondment to the Destination Country Allowed with No Local Employer  (i.e. for work on client sites on behalf of the foreign employer)? | Depending on type of work permit. | No | Yes - the employee can not be in an employment relationship with the Polish company. He/she may remain in employment with the foreign employer. | Yes - the employee can not be in an employment relationship with the Polish company. He/she must remain in employment with the foreign employer, i.e. company associated with the Polish company. | Yes | Yes | No | No
 | Must the Employer have a Legal Presence in the Destination Country to obtain this permit/visa? | Depending on type of work permit. | Yes. | Yes.  The company, in which the foreigner holds a management board function, must be based in Poland. | Yes.  The company associated with the employer, to which the employee is seconded, must be based in Poland. | No | No | Yes | Yes
 | Is a Local Contract Required? | Depending on type of work permit. | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes
 | Must the Employee be Paid Locally? | Depending on type of work permit. | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes
 | Is There a Minimum Wage Requirement? | Depending on type of work permit. | Yes. The minimum monthly salary in 2014 is PLN 1680 (approx. EUR 400) gross. | No | Yes. Salary may not be lower than 70% of the average salary in the given region. In 2014 average monthly salaries in respective regions vary from approx. PLN 3200 (approx. EUR 800)  to approx. PLN 4700 (approx. EUR 1200) in Warsaw region. | Yes. Salary may not be lower than 70% of the average salary in the given region. In 2014 average monthly salaries in respective regions vary from approx. PLN 3200 (approx. EUR 800)  to approx. PLN 4700 (approx. EUR 1200) in Warsaw region. | Yes. Salary may not be lower than 70% of the average salary in the given region. In 2014 average monthly salaries in respective regions vary from approx. PLN 3200 (approx. EUR 800)  to approx. PLN 4700 (approx. EUR 1200) in Warsaw region. | Yes. Current minimum is PLN 63,390 per annum (approx. EUR 15,000). | Yes. The minimum monthly salary in 2014 is PLN 1680 (approx. EUR 400) gross.
 | Is there an Age Restriction/Requirement? | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations) | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations) | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations) | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations) | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations) | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations) | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations) | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations)
 | Where is the Application Submitted? | The application is submitted by the employee at the Polish consulate of the place of his/her permanent residence. | The application is submitted by the employer to the Regional Governor's office competent for the seat of the Polish employer. | The application is submitted by the employer to the Regional Governor's office competent for the seat of the Polish company. | The application is submitted by the employer to the Regional Governor's office competent for the seat of the Polish company to which the foreigner is seconded. | The application is submitted by the employer to the Regional Governor's office competent for the seat of the entity for which the temporary service is provided. | The application is submitted by the employer to the Regional Governor's office competent for the main place of performing work by the foreigner. | The application is submitted by the employee to the regional governor's office competent for the foreigner's place of stay in Poland. | The application is submitted by the foreignemployeeer to the regional governor's office competent for the foreigner's place of stay in Poland.
 | Government Processing Time? | Typically up to 15 days | 5 - 10 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 4-8 weeks | 5 - 10 weeks | 5 - 10 weeks
 | Maximum Initial Period of Stay? | 1 year | 3 years (may be shorter in given regions due to local regulations). | 3 years (5 years in case of companies employing over 25 employees; may be shorter in given regions due to local regulations). | 3 years (may be shorter in given regions due to local regulations). | 3 years (may be shorter in given regions due to local regulations). | 3 years (may be shorter in given regions due to local regulations). | 3 years | 3 years
 | Maximum Number of Extensions (Total Time) Allowed? | Extensions are only possible in very limited cases. After expiry of visa, the employee may stay in Poland if he/she obtains a separate residence permit. | No limits | No limits | No limits | No limits | No limits | No limits | No limits
 | Geographical  Limitation on Activities Undertaken in the Destination Country? | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application. | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application. | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application. | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application. | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application. | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application. | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application. | No, but all activities undertaken must be in line with those stated in the application.
 | Registration Requirements on Arrival Before Working? | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival. | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival. | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival. | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival. | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival. | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival. | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival. | Registration of temporary stay within 4 days from arrival.
 | [NAME]? | The employee must demonstrate that he/she has the means necessary to support his/her stay in Poland. | No | No | No | No | No | Yes, the employee must demonstrate that he/she has secured an acommodation. | Yes, the employee must demonstrate that he/she has secured an acommodation.
 | Academic Qualifications Required? | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes. The employee must have either a higher education diploma (obtained during an academic course of at least 3 years) or an equivalent professional experience of at least 5 years. | No
 | [NAME]? | No | No | No | No | No | No | No | No
 | Previous Employment or Work Experience Requirements? | No | No | No | No | No | No | Yes. The employee must have either a higher education diploma (obtained during an academic course of at least 3 years) or an equivalent professional experience of at least 5 years. | No
 | Are there any Age Restrictions? | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations). | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations). | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations). | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations). | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations). | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations). | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations). | No (but employment of minors under 18 years is subject to limitations).
 | Must there be a Test of the Resident Labor Market? | Depending on type of work permit. | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes
 | Does it lead to Settlement/Permanent Residence/Citizenship? | Yes - period of stay on the basis of a visa counts towards the period of legal stay required to apply for permanent residence, and later on for citizenship (exception - foreigner working in Poland under work permit type D). | No | No | No | No | No | Yes - period of stay on the basis of this residence permit counts towards the period of legal stay required to apply for permanent residence, and later on for citizenship. | Yes - period of stay on the basis of this residence permit counts towards the period of legal stay required to apply for permanent residence, and later on for citizenship.
 | Can Dependents Accompany Applicant? | No, they must obtain their own visa. | No, they must obtain their own title of right to stay (e.g. visa). | No, they must obtain their own title of right to stay (e.g. visa). | No, they must obtain their own title of right to stay (e.g. visa). | No, they must obtain their own title of right to stay (e.g. visa). | No, they must obtain their own title of right to stay (e.g. visa). | No, they must obtain their own title of right to stay (e.g. visa). | No, they must obtain their own title of right to stay (e.g. visa).
 | Who Qualifies as a Dependent? | No legal definition. The assessment is made by each consul. | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | Definition depends on right to be pursued by the family member; usually: spouse; employee's or his/her spouse's minor child; child remaining under support of the Employee or his/her spouse. | Definition depends on right to be pursued by the family member; usually: spouse; employee's or his/her spouse's minor child; child remaining under support of the Employee or his/her spouse.
 | Can Dependents Work/Attend School? | Work - no, they must obtain  work permit. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school. | Work - no, they must obtain their own work permit. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school. | Work - no, they must obtain their own work permit. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school. | Work - no, they must obtain their own work permit. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school. | Work - no, they must obtain their own work permit. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school. | Work - no, they must obtain their own work permit. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school. | Work - yes, if they obtain residence permit for family  members. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school. | Work - no, they must obtain their own work permit. School - yes, all legal immigrants must attend school until they are 18 or finish secondary school.
Business Visitor | How do Business Travelers enter the country? | Citizens of certain countries may enter the country without visa for a period of up to 90 days (in most cases within a period of 180 days). Other foreigners must secure a business visa at the Polish consulate.
 | What are considered legitimate business activities and what are the requirements for business travel? | There is no list of legitimate business activities. As business travelers are considered companies' directors or members of management boards, as well as enterpreneurs running their own business.The requirements for obtaining a business visa are similar to those in case of work visa - the applicant must demonstrate possesion of sufficient means to support themselves during the stay in Poland and possesion of an appropriate health insurance, and must justify the purpose of the visit (e.g. present an invitation to a business meeting).
Other Considerations | Are There Grounds That Render Applicants Ineligible for a Permit or to Enter the Country? | Yes. The grounds of ineligibility for work permits mostly concern the employer (the employer is the applicant) - e.g. criminal record for crimes connected with illegal employment of foreigners. Grounds of ineligibility for visas and residence permits involve inter alia criminal record in Poland for intentionally committed crimes, as well as grounds subject to broad discretion of authorities, e.g. posing a therat to the national security or public order.
 | Are Waivers for Ineligibility Possible? | As regards work and residence permits - no. As regards visas - yes, the consul has the discretion to disapply certain ineligibility conditions.
 | Timing for [NAME]? | N/A
 | Administrative Body for Removal/Deportation and Immigration Issues? | Visas are granted by the consuls. Work permits and residence permits are granted by the regional governors. The control of the legality of foreigners' stay and work in Poland is performed mainly by the National Labour Inspectorate and the Border Guard. The Border Guard also handles the deportation matters. The performance of their functions is controlled by the administrative courts.