Factsheet for measure
PL-2022-9/2336
–
Updated
– measures in Poland
Extension of temporary residence permits and visas for Ukrainians
Przedłużenie zezwoleń na pobyt czasowy i wiz dla obywateli Ukrainy
Background information
On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. As a result of the Russian aggression, many Ukrainian refugees fled to Poland.
On 12 March 2022, the special act regarding Ukrainian refugees (Dz.U. 2022 poz. 583) entered into force, with effect from 24 February 2022. Its aim is to provide assistance to Ukrainians escaping the territory of Ukraine due to armed conflict.
Content of measure
This measure applies to every Ukrainian citizen, regardless of age and gender, who had lived in Poland before 24 February 2022 on the basis of national visas or temporary residence permits. If the last day of their legal stay was on February 24 and later, the above-mentioned documents are extended until December 31, 2022. According to the law, they will not be given a refugee status, thus any further measures specified in the special act regarding Ukrainian refugees do not apply to them. The enacted law allows Ukrainians with residence permits and visas to legally remain in Poland for up to 18 months.
Updates
The following updates to this measure have been made after it came into effect.
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01 July 2024
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National visas of Ukrainian citizens expiring after 24 February are extended by law until 30 September 2025.
This applies to:
- Ukrainian citizens who entered Poland legally after 24 February 2022 as a result of hostilities in Ukraine, and their children born in Poland (provided they are not citizens of Poland or another EU country)
- Ukrainian citizens holding a Pole's Card who, together with their immediate family members, left Ukraine due to hostilities after 24 February 2022 and legally entered Poland, regardless of the route by which they arrived.
- Those who do not have Ukrainian citizenship (a spouse of a Ukrainian citizen, a minor child of a citizen of Ukraine, and a minor child of the spouse of a citizen of Ukraine), provided that they arrived on the territory of Poland from Ukraine in connection with the war and are not citizens of Poland or other countries of the European Union.
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27 February 2024
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The amendment to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine extended the legal stay in Poland until 30 June 2024 for citizens of Ukraine who arrived in Poland after 24 February 2022 in connection with the hostilities taking place on the territory of their country. The amendment was adopted in connection with the decision of the Council of the European Union of 19 October 2023, which extended the protection of Ukrainian refugees until 4 March 2025. The law provides for longer periods of legal residence for certain groups of Ukrainian refugees.
Until 31 August 2024, Ukrainians who will be in compulsory education or pre-school education on 30 June 2024 have the right to stay in Poland. If these persons are minors, this right also applies to their parents or guardians.
Those who retake their matriculation exams have had their legal stay extended until 30 September. This also applies to their parents and guardians if they are minors.
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28 January 2023
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On 28 January, an amendment to the special act regarding Ukrainian refugees entered into force.
The amendment unifies the regulations that the date 24 of August 2023 will be the expiry date for visas and permits held by Ukrainian citizens before 24 February 2022.
From 1 April 2023, Ukrainian citizens holding a social security number (PESEL) will be able to apply for a temporary residence and work permit, a residence and work permit in a highly qualified occupation (EU Blue Card) or a permit to carry out business activities.
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Use of measure
No information available.
Target groups
Actors and funding
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Actors
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Funding
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National government
EU (Council, EC, EP)
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No special funding required
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Social partners
Social partners' role in
designing the measure
and form of involvement:
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Trade unions
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Employers' organisations
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Role
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Unknown
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Unknown
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Form
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Not applicable
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Not applicable
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Social partners' role in the
implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:
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Unknown
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Main level of involvement: N/A
Involvement
Unknown.
Views and reactions
Unknown.
Sources
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12 March 2022: Ustawa z dnia 12 marca 2022 r. o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy w związku z konfliktem zbrojnym na terytorium tego państwa
(isap.sejm.gov.pl)
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30 January 2023: Amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of this state
(www.gov.pl)
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24 October 2023: COUNCIL IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2023/2409 of 19 October 2023 extending temporary protection as introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382 of 19 October 2023 extending temporary protection as introduced by Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/382
(eur-lex.europa.eu)
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09 February 2024: Amendment to the Law on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine, the Law on Personal Income Tax and the Law on Corporate Income Tax
(isap.sejm.gov.pl)
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01 July 2024: Amendments to the Law on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine - Key changes from 01.07.2024
(www.migrant.info.pl)
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30 June 2025: What about Ukrainian citizens who were still in Poland in January 2022 and will be running out of visa-free travel or visas or permits?
(ukraina.interwencjaprawna.pl)
