Exchange of the residence card – Migrants in Warmia

Foreigners who are currently staying in the Republic of Poland on the residence card basis and whose document will soon become invalid can apply for another card (exchange), by reporting this need to the Department of Citizens’ Affairs and Foreigners at the Department for the Legalization of Residence of Foreigners of the Warmian-Masurian Governor’s Office in Olsztyn.

General information about exchange of the residence card issued due to the foreigner’s permission for temporary or permanent residence, as well as the stay permit for a long term resident of the European Union can be found at the website of the Governor’s Office https://migranci-famiolsztyn.pl/aktualnosci-fami.

There, you can find detailed conditions for exchanging your residence card, required documentation, fees and payment reliefs.

The applicable legal basis: the act of December 12 2013 on foreigners, Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs of April 29 2014 on documents issued to foreigners, Regulation of the Minister of Internal Affairs of April 25 2014 on fees charged in the Republic of Poland from foreigners for issuing and exchanging documents, which might be issued to foreigners, and the payment methods and Act of June 14 1960 of the Code of Administrative Procedure.

Since the very beginning of the pandemic, the Polish government has made changes to the act, which now foresees unique solutions for foreigners in Poland. Regulations enable legal residence in country of people, who wish to complete the purpose of their current residence or cannot leave Poland due to the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

According to the implemented solutions for foreigners, the following shall be extended to the 30^th day after the state of emergency caused by the pandemic, or the pandemic itself (depending which is announced as the last) ends:

– legal residence of foreigners on the basis of national visas and temporary residence permits, which would end during the state of emergency or the pandemic,

– period for submitting applications for the legalization of residence,

– validity of the already issued work permits, seasonal work permits and declarations about entrusting work to a foreigner.

Additionally, the following deadlines shall be extended:

– foreigner’s departure from Poland,

– voluntary returns defined in declarations that include the foreigner’s obligation to return.

Detailed information can be found here: https://migranci-warmiamazury.caritas.pl/2018/06-04-2020-epidemia-koronawiursa-specjalne-rozwiazania-dla-cudzoziemcow/

If you have any questions related to the end of the validity period of your residence legalising document during the pandemic, get in touch with employees of our information and advisory centre.