If your visa is due to expire soon & you wish to stay for longer, you should apply for a temporary residence permit. This document allows you to remain in Poland for up to three years providing that you have a compelling and well-documented reason for your stay, such as continuing your work, studies, or conducting business. In order to obtain a residence card, you need to make an appointment at your Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) and submit all the required documents in person. Apart from the application form, a valid travel document and your current photographs, you will need to prepare the documents that validate your reason for stay – it can be a job contract, university ID or any document that may facilitate the process, such as Pole’s Card or EU Blue Card.

It is worth remembering that due to an increasing number of foreigners willing to stay in Poland, the understaffed offices may require more time to process all the applications. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to wait even half a year for a decision on your residence status. However, once you submit your application, you should get a special stamp in your travel document. It allows you to stay in Poland, even if your visa or former residence card has expired.