Immigration lawyer in Poland: residence permits, work and appeals

What I help with

• temporary residence permits (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy), including permits combined with work
• permanent residence (pobyt stały) and EU long-term resident status
• work permits and the employer side of hiring foreign nationals
• EU Blue Card applications for qualified professionals
• residence permits for family members of Polish citizens and of foreign nationals
• appeals against refusals, and complaints to the administrative court
• proceedings on obligation to return (zobowiązanie do powrotu) and entry bans
• Polish citizenship and confirmation of citizenship by descent

Appeals against a refusal

A refusal is not the end of the matter. A decision of a voivode can be appealed to the Head of the Office for Foreigners, and the appeal deadline runs from the date the decision is served, so the first step is always to check that date and the reasons given.

If the appeal does not succeed, the next stage is a complaint to the administrative court. As an attorney (adwokat) I can represent you at both stages. Where a refusal follows a missed deadline or a document the office did not receive, the reasons matter as much as the substance.

When a permit meets another legal problem

Residence cases rarely stand alone. A criminal charge or conviction, a divorce, a change of employer or the end of studies can all affect a pending application or an existing permit. Because I also handle criminal and family cases, these situations can be dealt with together rather than by separate advisers who do not see the whole picture.

If you are facing criminal proceedings, the consequences for your residence status are worth assessing before agreeing to any resolution of the case.

Employers hiring foreign nationals

Since 1 June 2025 the rules on entrusting work to foreign nationals are set out in the Act of 20 March 2025 (Journal of Laws 2025, item 621). Applications and declarations are filed electronically, and the labour market test was abolished. Further implementing regulations, including new fees, came into force on 1 December 2025.

I advise employers on which document each employee needs, on the obligations that follow a permit, and on inspections by the National Labour Inspectorate and the Border Guard.

Main legislation

• Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (ustawa o cudzoziemcach)
• Act of 20 March 2025 on the conditions for entrusting work to foreign nationals (Journal of Laws 2025, item 621)
• Code of Administrative Procedure (Kodeks postępowania administracyjnego)
• Act of 2 April 2009 on Polish citizenship

How we work together

1. 1.Initial consultation in English, at the office in Opole or online: your situation, your status and the realistic options.
2. 2.Document review: your current permit or decision, passport stamps, employment documents and correspondence from the office.
3. 3.Preparing and filing the application, appeal or complaint, with the annexes each procedure requires.
4. 4.Handling correspondence with the authority and representing you through to the decision.

Frequently asked questions