Researcher in Poland

Conditions

National visas (marked with D symbol and annotation “13”) or temporary residence permits for the purpose of conducting scientific research are issued to third-country nationals who are researchers, when the purpose of their stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland is to conduct scientific research or development work in a research institution based on the territory of the Republic of Poland justifying a stay for a period longer than 3 months.

The researcher should possess at least a professional title (degree) corresponding to a Polish Master’s professional title (degree) or equivalent which enables the access at least to postgraduate studies. Scientific research or development works should be conducted on the basis of a hosting agreement for the purposes of carrying out research concluded with a research institution with its registered office on the territory of the Republic of Poland which has been approved by the Minister of the Interior.

The current list of approved research institutions is published on the website of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration – see the second list.

The temporary residence permit may not be applied for i.e. if the third-country national stays on the basis of the EU Blue Card or as a trainee employee on the basis of a temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work in the framework of an intra-corporate transfer (ICT).

Procedures

Where and how to apply

National visas

The visa application can be completed online and printed, however there is no possibility to apply for a visa online. The only electronically operated part of the visa application procedure is the reservation of the date and time of the meeting in the consulate and registration of the application via the e-Konsulat portal. Printed and signed applications should be submitted to the consular offices. In some locations (Belarus, China, India, Philippines Türkiye and Ukraine), applications can be submitted via the External Service Provider, where applicants may ask ESP staff to help them to fill in an application.

Applicants shall pay a visa fee of EUR 80. 

A national visa or a decision refusing to issue this visa shall be issued within 30 days from the date of submission of the application together with the documents necessary to confirm the data contained in the application and the circumstances justifying the application for this visa. If the documents have not been attached to the application, the applicant has the right to supplement them within 7 days from the date of submission of the application.

Temporary residence permits

The third-country national makes the application in person, no later than on the last day of the lawful residence on the territory of Poland to the governmental province authority (voivode) competent in respect of his/her place of residence. You should make an appointment early enough.

While submitting the application for a residence permit, the third-country national is under the obligation to give his/her fingerprints.

More information how to apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research may be found here.

Stamp duty PLN 340 (ap. 77 euros).

Fee for issuing a residence card PLN 100 (ap. 23 euros).

The procedure should end within 60 days from the day of making a complete application.

The third-country national who has obtained the temporary residence permit is issued with a residence card.

Documents required

National visas

• completed visa application form;
• valid travel document satisfying specified criteria should be presented (its validity period shall expire no earlier than 3 months after the expiry of the visa you are applying for, it contains at least two blank pages and has been issued in the past 10 years);
• up-to-date biometric photograph;
• proof of payment of the visa fee;
• supporting documents as listed below at the temporary residence permit procedure. As regards health insurance - proof of possession of public health insurance in Poland or a travel medical insurance for a minimum sum insured of EUR 30000, valid for the period of the intended stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland, covering any expenses that may arise during your stay in this territory in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death, in which the insurer undertakes to cover the costs of health services provided to the insured person directly to the entity providing such services based on the bill issued by that entity. Information on insurers and the insurance they offer meeting the statutory requirements can be found here;

Temporary residence permits

• completed form of the application for temporary residence permit;
• 4 up-to-date photographs;
• photocopy of a valid travel document (original available for inspection). In particularly justified cases, if a third-country national does not have a valid travel document and it is not possible to obtain such document, he/she may present another document which confirms his/her identity;
• proof of payment of stamp duty (340 PLN).

Note: failure to submit any of the above-mentioned documents will result in the applicant being requested to provide the missing documents within a deadline of not less than 7 days from the delivery of the request, otherwise the application will not be considered. In case of failure to pay a stamp duty within a deadline specified in the request, the application will be returned.

Standard documents necessary for examination of the application

1. the hosting agreement for the purposes of carrying out scientific research or development work concluded with a research institution with the registered office on the territory of Poland (see conditions below);
2. written statement of the research institution in which it undertakes to reimburse the costs of issuing and executing the decision on imposing the return obligation on the third-country national, covered by the state budget within 6 months from the date of expiry of the hosting agreement, if the reason for issuing the decision on imposing the return obligation on the third-country national is his/her illegal stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland;
3. documents confirming the third-country national is covered by public health insurance in Poland or the confirmation of the private insurer’s coverage of the medical treatment costs on the territory of Poland;
4. documents confirming the possession of sufficient financial resources to cover subsistence costs and costs to travel back to the country of origin or residence or the costs of transit to a third country which shall grant the entry permit. The amount of monthly funds, upon deducting the funds dedicated to cover the costs of residence should exceed 776 PLN for single persons or 600 PLN for persons in the family. It is assumed that these costs of residence cover at least the amount of fixed charges for the use of the accommodation per number of people living in it as well as the charges for supplies of power, gas, water and disposal of sewage, waste and liquid waste. For the cost of the return travel, acceptable amounts are: 200 PLN – in case of arrival from a neighbouring country, 500 PLN – from other EU/EOG Member States or Switzerland, 2500 PLN – from other countries. You may find detailed information here.

Hosting agreement

The research institution concludes a hosting agreement with the researcher on admitting him or her for the purpose of conducting research or development work, when their conduct has been approved by the competent authorities of the research institution.

The authorities of the research institution, when considering the approval of conducting research or development work, shall take into account:

1. the purpose and duration of research or development work and the financial resources necessary to carry it out;
2. documents confirming the researcher's qualifications relevant to the conducted research or development work.

A hosting agreement shall be concluded as an employment contract, contract for specific work, contract of mandate or other civil law contract, and specify:

1. the title or purpose of scientific research or development work or their subject,
2. obligation of the researcher to participate in conducting research or development work,
3. commitment of the research institution to provide the researcher with conditions to fulfil his/her commitment,
4. start and end date or estimated duration of research or development work,
5. remuneration of the researcher and other conditions of his/her work,
6. information on planned research or development works in the territory of other European Union Member States.

Note: during the administrative proceeding, the third-country national may be called to submit other documents or testimonies which confirm the circumstances referred to in the application.

Duration of validity of permits

National visas are issued for up to 1 year validity.

The temporary residence permit for the purpose of scientific research is granted for a period which is necessary to complete the objective of this residence on the territory of Poland for a period of more than 3 months up to 3 years, with the possibility to apply for subsequent permits.

Conditions for renewal

The same as above.

Appeals

A third-country national who received a negative decision on issuing a visa may submit in person within 14 days a request to a consul for re-examination of the application.

A third-country national not satisfied with a decision concerning granting the residence permit may appeal before the Head of the Office for Foreigners within 14 days. Moreover, it is possible to bring a further appeal before the administrative courts. The decision includes detailed information on the right to appeal.

Rights

Access to employment

Holders of a national visa with a ‘researcher’ annotation or temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research may perform work in Poland without the need to obtain an additional work permit. The residence card, issued in connection with the temporary residence permit, includes apart from an annotation ‘researcher’, also an annotation ‘access to the labour market’.

Access to economic activity

Holders of the temporary residence permit issued for that purpose may undertake and conduct business activities on the territory of the Republic of Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens.

Change of status

Possible if conditions for other status are met. Right to apply for temporary residence permit for the purpose of job-searching or setting up a business after the completion of research or development work. Holders of a temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research cannot apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of highly-qualified employment or for the purpose of performing work as part of an intra-corporate transfer.

Family members

Holders of a national visa with a ‘researcher’ annotation or temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research has a right to family reunification (see the section: ‘Family Member’).

Long-term residence

Polish law makes a distinction between a permanent residence permit and the EU long-term residence permit.

Permanent residence permit

A permanent residence permit is issued to specified categories of third-country nationals i.a. to children of Polish citizens or of permanent residents in Poland, spouses of Polish nationals and persons of Polish origin. A decision on the granting of a permanent residence permit is issued for an indefinite period. A residence card remains valid for 10 years, which means that it should be replaced every 10 years.

A permanent residence permit issued in Poland does not entitle the third-country national to obtain a residence permit in another EU country as is provided for holders of an EU long-term residence permit.

A permanent residence permit entitles the third-country national to travel to other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days in a 180-day period mainly for tourism purposes like temporary residence permits.

More on permanent residence permits.

EU long-term residence permit

The EU long-term residence permit is issued to third-country nationals who have been staying legally and continuously on the territory of Poland for at least 5 years directly prior to the submission of the application for granting this permit and meet the following conditions:

1. have a source of stable and regular income adequate to cover the means of subsistence for themselves and their dependent family members;
2. have a health insurance as defined by the Act of 27 August 2004 on health care services financed from the public funds or a certificate confirming that the costs of medical treatment on the territory of Poland shall be covered by an insurer;
3. possess confirmed knowledge of Polish language.

The permit is granted for an indefinite time. A residence card remains valid for 5 years, which means that it should be replaced every 5 years.

More on EU long-term residence permits.

Mobility

If you have a valid residence permit/long-term visa for the purpose of research with a ‘researcher’ annotation issued by another EU Member State (with exclusion of Ireland and Denmark), you may conduct research and teach in Poland, if you fulfil certain requirements.

A research institution in Poland should be approved by the Minister of the Interior. The current list of approved research institutions is published on the website of the Ministry of the Interior and Administration – see the second list.

If the duration of your stay in Poland is shorter than 180 days in a 360-day period, you are subject to short-term mobility rules. If the duration of your stay in Poland is longer than 180 days, you are subject to the rules governing long-term mobility.

The period of validity of the residence permit/long-term visa with a ‘researcher’ annotation issued by another EU Member State should cover the entire period of planned short-term or long-term  mobility in Poland.

Short-term mobility

Procedure

It is necessary that the research institution with its seat on the territory of the Republic of Poland submits a notification of the third-country national's intention to use the researcher short-term mobility to the Chief of the Office for Foreigners. The notification should be drawn-up in Polish language, submitted in writing, in paper form or in electronic form to the electronic inbox of the Chief of the Office for Foreigners.

The condition for exercising short-term mobility of researchers on the territory of Poland is that the Chief of the Office for Foreigners:

• receives the notification of the intended mobility of the researcher from the research organisation having its registered office in the territory of Poland,
• does not issue a decision on objection within 30 days.

The third-country national entering the territory of Poland for the purposes of benefitting from the short-term mobility of researchers and holding the residence permit, or a long-term visa issued by another Member State not being a Schengen state, needs to present a copy of the notification.

Documents required

The notification should contain the following data and information on the third-country national:

1. name(s) and surname;
2. date and place of birth;
3. sex;
4. nationality;
5. series, number and validity date of the travel document held by the third-country national;
6. planned period or periods of scientific research or development works performance by the researcher at the territory of Poland;
7. name of the Member State that issued the residence permit, referred to in Article 1(2)(a) of the Regulation No. 1030/2002, or the long-term visa with the ‘researcher’ annotation;
8. validity date of the residence permit or validity permit and permissible period of stay specified in the long-term visa, referred to in item 7;
9. name and address of the scientific institution on the territory of the Member State, referred to in item7, in which the third-country national performs or performed the scientific research or development works;
10. name and address of the scientific institution on the territory of Poland, in which the scientific research or development works are to be performed;
11. name, surname, position and signature of the person or persons authorised to represent the scientific organisation having its seat on the territory of Poland.

The following evidence needs to be enclosed to the notification:

1. evidence that the third-country national has a residence document, referred to in Article 1(2)(a) of the Regulation No. 1030/2002, or the long-term visa, issued by the other EU Member State, containing the ‘researcher’ annotation;
2. evidence confirming the third-country national is covered by public health insurance in Poland or of the private insurer’s coverage of the medical treatment costs on the territory of Poland;
3. documents confirming sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of living and return travel to the EU Member State which issued the residence permit or a long-term visa with the ‘researcher’ annotation in an appropriate amount. Financial resources should exceed 776 PLN for single persons or 600 PLN for persons in the family after deduction of residence costs of the third-country national in Poland. For the cost of the return travel acceptable amounts are: 200 PLN – in the case of a neighbouring EU country, 500 PLN in the case of other EU Member States. You may find detailed information here;
4. the hosting agreement for the purposes of carrying out the research project concluded as employment contract, task-specific contract or mandate contract with a research institution with the registered office on the territory of Poland, approved by the Minister of the Interior, including:
   1. the title or purpose of scientific research or development works or their area,
   2. an undertaking made by the researcher to participate in the scientific research or development works,
   3. a commitment of the research organisation to ensure due conditions to the researcher enabling completion of the undertaking,
   4. the starting and end date or the estimated duration of the scientific research or development works,
   5. the remuneration of the researcher and other working conditions.

The documents drawn-up in a foreign language are submitted with certified translation into Polish.

The 30-day deadline concerning the researcher short-term mobility procedure shall be counted from the date of delivery of the notification along with all required documents including certified translations.

The compilation of the information on modalities of researchers’ mobility concerning Poland may be found here.

Applicable fee

N/A

Allowed number of teaching hours/days

Not specified

Other information

Researchers who exercised short-term mobility in Poland are not allowed to apply for a temporary residence permit for seeking employment or starting a business, but only those who, at the time of the application for this permit, are residing in Poland on the basis of a temporary residence permit for the purpose of scientific research, after completing their research.

Family members

A third-country national who is a researcher’s family member may accompany the researcher if the following conditions are met, cumulatively:

1. the purpose of the stay on the territory of Poland of a third-country national being a family member of a researcher who benefits or intends to benefit from the short-term mobility of a researcher, is a stay with that researcher in that territory;
2. a third-country national being a family member of a researcher has a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification and a residence permit issued in connection with this permit, referred to in Article 1(2)(a) of Regulation No. 1030/2002, issued by another European Union Member State which issued a residence permit or a long-stay visa, with the annotation ‘researcher’” to that researcher.

The condition for a third-country national to accompany the researcher is also that the Head of the Office for Foreigners:

• receives a notification of intention of the third-country national to benefit from this mobility from the research institution established in the territory of Poland approved by the Minister competent for internal affairs,
• a decision on objection is not issued within 30 days.

The notification should be drawn-up in Polish language, submitted in writing, in a paper form or in electronic form at the email inbox of the Chief of the Office for Foreigners and include the following data and information on the third-country national (researcher’s family member):

1. first name(s) and last name;
2. date and place of birth;
3. sex;
4. citizenship;
5. series, number and date of expiry of the travel document held by the third-country national;
6. the planned period or periods of research or development carried out by the researcher on the territory of Poland;
7. name of the European Union Member State which issued the residence permit or the long-stay visa with the annotation ‘researcher’ to the third-country national;
8. validity of the residence permit or the validity and permissible period of stay indicated in the long-stay visa referred to in point 7;
9. validity of the residence permit for the purpose of family reunification issued to a researcher’s family member information on the health insurance of the researcher’s family member;
10. information on funds held by the researcher’s family member to cover the cost of living and return travel to the Member State referred to in point 7;
11. name and address of the scientific institution established in the territory of a Member State, referred to in point 7, in which the researcher whose family member is a third-country national is or has been carrying the research or development works;
12. name and address of the scientific unit on the territory of Poland where research or development is or will be carried out by the researcher;
13. name, official position and signature of the person or persons authorised to represent the research unit established in the territory of Poland.

The notification should be accompanied by the following documents:

1. evidence that the third-country national has a health insurance;
2. documents confirming sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of living and return travel to the EU Member State which issued the residence permit or a long-term visa with the ‘researcher’ annotation in an appropriate amount. Financial resources should exceed 776 PLN for single persons or 600 PLN for persons in the family after deduction of residence costs of the foreigner in Poland. For the cost of the return travel acceptable amounts are: 200 PLN in the case of a neighbouring EU country, 500 PLN in the case of other EU Member States. You may find detailed information here;
3. evidence that the third-country national possesses a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification issued by another European Union Member State which issued a residence permit or a long-stay visa with the annotation ‘researcher’ to the researcher.

Documents prepared in a foreign language shall have a certified translation into Polish attached.

Long-term mobility

Procedure

The third-country national willing to benefit from long-term mobility of researchers at the territory of Poland (above 180 days) is required to apply for temporary residence permit for this purpose.

The third-country national makes the application in person, no later than on the last day of the lawful residence on the territory of the Republic of Poland to the governmental province authority (voivode) competent in respect of his/her place of residence. You should make an appointment early enough.

While submitting the application, the third-country national is under the obligation to give his/her fingerprints.

You may find the application for a temporary residence permit here.

Stamp duty PLN 340 (ap. 77 euros).

Fee for issuing a residence card PLN 100 (ap. 23 euros).

The procedure should end within 60 days from the day of making a complete application.

The third-country national who has obtained the temporary residence permit is issued with a residence card.

Documents required

Necessary

1. completed form of the application for temporary residence permit; Appendix 4 should be enclosed to the application form;
2. 4 up-to-date photographs;
3. photocopy of a valid travel document (original available for inspection). In particularly justified cases, if the third-country national does not have a valid travel document and it is not possible to obtain such document, he/she may present another document which confirms his/her identity;
4. proof of payment of stamp duty (340 PLN).

Note: failure to submit any of the above-mentioned documents will result in the applicant being requested to provide the missing documents within a deadline of not less than 7 days from the delivery of the request, otherwise the application will not be considered. In case of failure to pay a stamp duty within a deadline specified in the request the application will be returned.

Standard documents necessary for examination of the application

1. the hosting agreement for the purposes of carrying out the research project concluded as employment contract, task-specific contract or mandate contract with a research institution with the registered office on the territory of Poland, approved by the Minister of the Interior, including:

• the title or purpose of scientific research or development works or their area,
• an undertaking made by the researcher to participate in the scientific research or development works,
• a commitment of the research organisation to ensure due conditions to the researcher enabling completion of the undertaking,
• the starting and end date or the estimated duration of the scientific research or development works,
• the remuneration of the researcher and other working conditions.

2. written statement of the research institution in which it undertakes to reimburse the costs of issuing and executing the decision on imposing the return obligation on the third-country national, covered by the state budget within 6 months from the date of expiry of the hosting agreement, if the reason for issuing the decision on imposing the return obligation on the third-country national is his/her illegal stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland;
3. evidence confirming the third-country national is covered by public health insurance in Poland or of the private insurer’s coverage of the medical treatment costs on the territory of Poland;
4. evidence of holding a place of residence provided within the territory of Poland (e.g. apartment rent contract, other contract enabling possession of a dwelling, or statement of a person authorised for possession of a dwelling on provision of a place of residence to the third-country national);
5. documents confirming the possession by the third-country national of sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of living and return travel to the EU Member State which issued the residence permit or a long-term visa with the ‘researcher’ annotation in an appropriate amount. Financial resources should exceed 776 PLN for single persons or 600 PLN for persons in the family after deduction of residence costs of the third-country national in Poland. For the cost of the return travel acceptable amounts are: 200 PLN in the case of a neighbouring EU country, 500 PLN in the case of other EU Member States. You may find detailed information here.

Duration of validity of permits

A temporary residence permit for the purpose of long-term mobility of a researcher is granted for the period of conducting scientific research or development work on the territory of the Republic of Poland up to 3 years, but not longer than the period of validity of the residence document or the period of stay resulting from a long-term visa with the annotation ‘researcher’, issued by another European Union Member State.

Applicable fee

340 PLN (ap. 77 euros).

Allowed number of teaching hours/days

Not specified

Family members

The family member willing to benefit from long-term mobility of researcher`s family members at the territory of Poland (above 180 days) together with a researcher using the long-term mobility of researchers is required to apply for a temporary residence permit for this purpose.

The family member makes the application in person, no later than on the last day of the lawful residence on the territory of the Republic of Poland to the governmental province authority (voivode) competent in respect of his/her place of residence. You should make an appointment early enough.

While submitting the application, the third-country national is under the obligation to give his/her fingerprints.

You may find the application for temporary residence permit here.

The application in case of:

• a minor - is submitted (i.e. signed) by parents or guardians appointed by the court or by one of the parents or one of the guardians appointed by the court;
• a totally incapacitated person - is submitted by a guardian appointed by the court;
• an unaccompanied minor - is submitted by a guardian.

When submitting an application for a temporary residence permit for a minor family member who has reached the age of 6 years old by the day of making the application, his/her presence thereof is required.

Stamp duty PLN 340 (ap. 77 euros).

Fee for issuing a residence card PLN 100 (ap. 23 euros).

The procedure should end within 60 days from the day of making a complete application.

The third-country national who has obtained the temporary residence permit is issued with a residence card.

Documents required

Necessary

1. completed form of the application for temporary residence permit;
2. 4 up-to-date photographs;
3. photocopy of a valid travel document (original available for inspection). In particularly justified cases, if the third-country national does not have a valid travel document and it is not possible to obtain such document, he/she may present another document which confirms his/her identity;
4. proof of payment of stamp duty (340 PLN).

Note: failure to submit any of the above-mentioned documents will result in the applicant being requested to provide the missing documents within a deadline of not less than 7 days from the delivery of the request, otherwise the application will not be considered. In case of failure to pay a stamp duty within a deadline specified in the request the application will be returned.

Standard documents necessary for examination of the application

2. evidence that the third-country national possesses a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification issued by another European Union Member State which issued a residence permit or a long-stay visa, with the annotation ‘researcher’ to the researcher;
   1. evidence confirming the third-country national is covered by public health insurance in Poland or of the private insurer’s coverage of the medical treatment costs on the territory of Poland;
   2. documents confirming the possession by the third-country national of sufficient financial resources to cover the cost of living and return travel to the EU Member State which issued the residence permit or a long-term visa with the ‘researcher’ annotation in an appropriate amount. Financial resources should exceed 776 PLN for single persons or 600 PLN for persons in the family after deduction of residence costs of the third-country national in Poland. For the cost of the return travel acceptable amounts are: 200 PLN in the case of a neighbouring EU country, 500 PLN in the case of other EU Member States. You may find detailed information here.

Other information

A researcher residing legally in Poland during the procedure of granting a temporary residence permit for the purpose of long-term mobility of a researcher may conduct research or development work in a research institution based in Poland approved by the minister competent for internal affairs, under the conditions set out in the hosting agreement attached to the application, as well as teach, without a work permit.

A family member of the researcher may work in Poland without a work permit on the basis of a temporary residence permit for the purpose of long-term mobility of the researcher's family member.

Researchers who exercised long-term mobility in Poland are not allowed to apply for a temporary residence permit for seeking employment or starting a business, but only those who, at the time of the application for this permit, are residing in Poland on the basis of a temporary residence permit for the purpose of scientific research, after completing their research.