Is your company planning to scale in Poland? If so, you’ll need a talented group of employees to make the move. It can be challenging to obtain permits for international employees to live and work in Poland, as the priority goes to local nationals. However, understanding the process and requirements for obtaining visas and work permits can help.
Because Poland is a member of the European Union (EU), citizens of other EU, the European Economic Areas (EEA) member states, and Switzerland do not need a permit to work there. Most other individuals will need a visa to stay in the country as well as a permit to work.
There are several types of visas available for non-EU citizens, non-EEA citizens, and non-Swiss citizens seeking entry into Poland for employment purposes, including:
Each type of work permit has its own requirements. Remember that employees will need both a valid visa or residence permit and a work permit. Workers seeking a long-term residence permit will need to provide proof of language proficiency. This can be achieved by passing a public exam, graduating from a Polish school or university, or presenting certificates from certain private exams or internal language exams at Polish universities.
Employers must provide several documents to obtain a work permit on behalf of non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss employees. These documents include:
Individuals planning to work in Poland will need an employer in Poland to apply for a work permit on their behalf. There are several steps in the application process.
Before beginning an application for a work permit, some employers will need to conduct a labor market test. They should check with the Department of Foreigners to determine whether this is an obligation for their company. The purpose of this test is to determine whether there are any citizens of Poland or other EU, EEA, or Swiss nationals qualified to fill the position, as they would have priority.
If there are no eligible jobseekers in the market, the employer can apply for a work permit on behalf of the employee.
The employer is responsible for sponsoring the work permit application. With the application, the employer will need to include documentation proving that the following conditions are satisfied:
The employer will also need to include the required documents listed above. It’s the employee’s responsibility to provide the employer with the necessary personal documents.
Work permits in Poland are issued by the Voivodeship office. Once the work permit application is approved, 3 copies of the permit will be made: 1 for the Voivodeship Office, 1 for the employer, and 1 for the employee. The employer is responsible for giving the work permit to the employee. The employee can then begin to work legally in Poland.
Employees should be aware that their work permit is only valid for the time they stay with the company that applied for it on their behalf. Should they want to switch jobs, their new employer will need to apply for an entirely new work permit.
At G-P, we’re committed to breaking down barriers to global business, enabling opportunity for everyone, everywhere, and helping companies tap into the fullest potential of their workforce. We help you maintain full compliance with local laws and ensure everything from hiring and onboarding to paying your employees is quick and easy, regardless of where they are in the world.
Find out more about how our Global Growth Platform™ can help you grow your team across the globe.
At this moment, G-P does not sponsor or offer support in the processing of work visas or permits in this particular location.
THIS CONTENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE LEGAL OR TAX ADVICE. You should always consult with and rely on your own legal and/or tax advisor(s). G-P does not provide legal or tax advice. The information is general and not tailored to a specific company or workforce and does not reflect G-P’s product delivery in any given jurisdiction. G-P makes no representations or warranties concerning the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information and shall have no liability arising out of or in connection with it, including any loss caused by use of, or reliance on, the information.