[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"advice-en-decyzja-karta-pobytu":3},{"slug":4,"title":5,"excerpt":6,"body":7,"datePublished":8,"dateModified":8},"decyzja-karta-pobytu","Decision on a karta pobytu — what it means and what to do next","Voivode's residence decision: how it arrives, when it becomes final, how to collect the card, how to appeal a refusal in 14 days and when you must leave.","\u003Cp>The decision on a karta pobytu (residence card) is the document in which the voivode (regional governor) rules on a foreigner's application for a temporary residence permit, a permanent residence permit or long-term EU resident status. The residence card itself only follows: it is issued once the positive decision becomes final and the fee has been paid. Important deadlines also run from the date the decision is served — 14 days for an appeal in case of refusal and 30 days to leave if the permit is ultimately not granted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>What the decision is and how it differs from the card\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The administrative decision is the legal basis for residence, while the karta pobytu is the document that confirms this residence and allows travel. In practice it is worth keeping the original decision for the entire period of the permit: it is useful when changing jobs, submitting another application, replacing documents and dealing with offices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The decision usually contains: the foreigner's details, the authority that issued it, the type of permit and its legal basis, the period of validity (a permanent residence permit is granted indefinitely), and for permits linked to work or a business — also the conditions on which the permit's validity depends. The statement of reasons and the information on appeal are at the end of the document.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>How long one waits for the decision and how it arrives\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>The Case Handling Module portal gives the statutory handling times: 60 days from filing a complete application for a temporary residence permit (e.g. for conducting business), and 6 months for a permanent residence permit. The time runs from the moment the application is complete, i.e. after missing items are supplied and the applicant has appeared at the office. The actual waiting time in many voivodeships is often longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The application is submitted electronically via the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl\u002Fkategorie-informacji\u002Fmozliwosci-legalizacji\u002Fspoza-ue-kontynuacja-pobytu\u002Fzezwolenie-na-pobyt-staly\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Case Handling Module\u003C\u002Fa>, but the decision is served outside that system — usually by registered mail to the address given in the application. A change of address during the proceedings must be reported to the office; an unclaimed letter may be deemed served after the collection period expires, and the appeal deadline runs from that date.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until the decision becomes final, the residence of a foreigner who submitted the application correctly and during a legal stay is treated as legal. This is confirmed by the certificate of filing the application.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Positive decision: what to do next, step by step\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Col>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Checking the content\u003C\u002Fstrong> — personal data, type and period of the permit, employer or company name. Obvious clerical mistakes can be reported to the office with a request for correction.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Finality of the decision\u003C\u002Fstrong> — the decision becomes final once an appeal is no longer available, i.e. after the deadline for filing it has expired.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Fee for the card\u003C\u002Fstrong> — for the first card it is usually PLN 100. Together with the fee one can present proof of address registration for more than 2 months, if the address is to appear on the card.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Issue of the card\u003C\u002Fstrong> — in most cases the first card is issued ex officio, without a separate application. The office notifies readiness for collection by SMS, e-mail or a message in the system.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>In-person collection\u003C\u002Fstrong> — the exceptions include children under 6 and persons who are unable to appear due to illness.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Fol>\n\u003Cp>For permanent residence the card is issued for 10 years, and after that it is replaced upon request. Who can apply for such residence is described in the article on \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fadvice\u002Fkarta-pobytu-stalego\">the permanent residence card\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Obligations after obtaining the permit\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>A positive decision does not end the relationship with the office. For temporary permits the decision usually comes with conditions, and any change must be reported. For example, a foreigner who received a permit for conducting business should notify the voivode in writing within 15 business days of, among others, suspension of the business, deletion from the register or sale of shares. The details of this route are set out in the article on the \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fadvice\u002Fkarta-pobytu-business\">residence card for business activity\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>Refusal: appeal within 14 days\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>Against a refusal an appeal lies to the Head of the Office for Foreigners. The main rules, according to the \u003Ca href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl\u002Fkategorie-informacji\u002Fmozliwosci-legalizacji\u002Fspoza-ue-kontynuacja-pobytu\u002Fzezwolenie-czasowy\u002Fdzialalnosc-gospodarcza\u002Fodwolanie\u002F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">official information\u003C\u002Fa>:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cul>\n\u003Cli>the deadline is \u003Cstrong>14 days from service of the decision\u003C\u002Fstrong>,\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>the appeal is filed in writing through the voivode who issued the decision — by mail, in person at the filing office or to the voivode's e-delivery address; it is not filed via the Case Handling Module,\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>the appellate authority should examine the case within 90 days,\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003Cli>after the appeal is filed, further correspondence is addressed directly to the Office for Foreigners.\u003C\u002Fli>\n\u003C\u002Ful>\n\u003Cp>The Head of the Office may grant the permit, uphold the refusal or send the case back to the voivode for re-examination. In the appeal it is worth addressing directly the reasons for refusal cited in the statement of reasons and attaching the missing evidence — general assurances rarely change the outcome.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Typical reasons for refusal are failure to meet the requirements for the given purpose of residence, tax arrears, inclusion in the register of undesirable persons or in the Schengen Information System, and providing false information.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>When the refusal is final: 30 days to leave\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>If the permit is not granted and the foreigner has no other basis for residence, they should leave Poland within 30 days — counted from the day the voivode's decision became final, or from the service of the Head of the Office's decision upholding the refusal. Another application for a permit filed during this period will not be considered. Failure to leave may result in a return decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Example: a Georgian citizen receives a refusal of a temporary residence permit on 3 March. They have until 17 March to appeal. If they do not do so, the decision becomes final and the 30 days to leave run from that moment. If they hold a valid visa or another residence title at that time, the duty to leave does not apply to them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\n\u003Ch2>How Good Balance can help\u003C\u002Fh2>\n\u003Cp>We help analyse the decision received, prepare the appeal and supplement the evidence, and after a positive decision — handle the formalities relating to the card and the reporting obligations. We also handle cases concerning a \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Flegalization\u002Fpermanent-residence-permit\">permanent residence permit\u003C\u002Fa> from filing the application to collecting the card.\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-10-09"]