Poland’s Act on Eliminating Irregularities in the Visa System is Set to Enter into Force June 1, 2025

The Act is part of a broader immigration reform in Poland. While its primary focus is on foreign nationals entering the country for study purposes, it also introduces several important changes that will impact employers.

What to Expect

Individuals residing in Poland under a Polish visa will not be able to apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of work if the visa is issued for the purpose of:

• tourism,
• visiting family or friends,
• attending sport events,
• performing cultural activity or attending conferences,
• attending studies     or     PhD studies in Poland,
• attending professional training,
• attending training in a different form than studies, PhD studies or professional training,
• transit or transit flight,
• medical treatment or attending cultural or educational exchange,
• humanitarian aid program or holiday work program.

Applying for a residence permit for the purpose of work will not be possible also for the following categories of foreign nationals:

• persons staying in Poland under a long-term visa issued by another Schengen country, unless they reside in Poland on the basis of above documents for the purpose of short-term or long-term mobility.
• persons staying in Poland under a residence permit issued by another Schengen country, unless they reside in Poland on the basis of above documents for the purpose of short-term or long-term mobility.
  • Exception applies to Blue Card applicants. It will still be possible, however, to apply for a Blue Card as a holder of a long-term visa or residence permit issued by another Schengen country.

Individuals applying for an EU long-term residence permit or Polish citizenship will no longer be able to use a post-secondary school diploma as proof of Polish language proficiency (this change will take effect on July 1, 2025).