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End of Legal Residency Based on Covid Extensions?
The Ministry of Health envisages the abolition of the state of epidemic threat as of 30 June 2023. This will affect the situation of many foreigners residing in Poland.
Pursuant to the Covid Act (i.e. the Act of 2 March 2020 on Specific Solutions Related to the Prevention, Countering and Combating COVID-19, Other Infectious Diseases and Crisis Situations Caused Thereby), the period of legal residence, the deadlines for leaving the territory of the Republic of Poland and the validity of held residence documents have been extended until the 30th day following the day of cancellation of the current state of epidemic threat.
Poland will extend the period of legal residence for Ukrainian citizens until 4 March 2024
On 14 April 2023, the Sejm (lower house of parliament) adopted a bill (document no. 3133) providing for amendments, inter alia, to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict in that country.
Subsequent contract with a Ukrainian citizen under existing conditions does not require notification to the labour office.
Ukrainian citizens who legally reside on the territory of Poland may carry out work provided that their employers notify their employment to the district labour office.
On Wednesday, 26 April 2023, the Act of 9 March 2023 amending the Labour Code Act and certain other acts will enter into force, implementing two EU directives into Polish legislation: directive 2019/1152 and directive 2019/1158.
Work is underway in the European Parliament on introducing electronic documents in the EU visa system, to replace stickers for Schengen visas.
It is also planned to create a uniform online platform for filing visa applications, without the need for the applicant to appear in person at the consulate.
Ukrainian citizens, who have enjoyed temporary protection in another EU State, but that protection has, for some reason ended, may apply for UKR status. Ukrainian citizens who are enjoying temporary protection in another EU State may also apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland. This is in accordance with an interpretation we obtained from the Head of the Office for Foreigners.
Doubts on this issue had arisen from a recent amendment to the Ukrainian Special Act (namely the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of that Country, dated 12 March 2022).