Publication date: 02.06.2025
I am a qualified lawyer with many years of experience in the field of legalization of stay in Poland. My goal is to make legalization of stay simple, understandable and accessible.
Case Background:
In October 2024, a client — a citizen of Ukraine — contacted me after waiting a long time for a decision in his case regarding the karta pobytu (residence card) in Poland. The initial application had been submitted through a commercial agency claiming to provide legalization services. However, once the documents were accepted, that agency effectively ceased communication with the client, provided no updates, and gave no legal support.
The client was in a state of complete uncertainty: on the one hand, the documents were submitted; on the other — there was no official information, the process was delayed, and he had no idea whether his application was even being reviewed. This created a real risk of rejection of the residence card, especially for formal reasons such as missing documents, unanswered requests from the office, or missed deadlines.
The Problem:
The key issue was that the client had no access to any information about his case status. He didn’t have an online profile, reference numbers, or any official correspondence with the Voivodeship Office. The agency that submitted the application ignored all inquiries. There were also suspicions that the initial document package was incomplete or improperly prepared.
Solution:
After consulting with the client, I immediately submitted an official request to the Voivodeship Office asking for a date and permission to review the case file. Within a few days, I received a response with the exact date and time for file access.
On the scheduled day, I personally visited the office, reviewed the case materials, conducted a legal analysis of the submitted documents, and created a complete list of missing or incomplete items. These included proof of address, financial means, and justification for staying in Poland.
I prepared a detailed list of required documents and provided it to the client with step-by-step instructions. Thanks to efficient communication, all materials were collected and returned to me within a very short time. Just a few days later, I compiled the final package and submitted it in accordance with all procedural standards.
In March 2025, I received a letter from the Voivodeship Office requesting additional employment-related documents from the client. Since deadlines in such cases are strict, I gathered the necessary confirmations from the employer the very next day, prepared the supporting documents, and personally submitted them to the office.
In April 2025, I received a positive decision confirming that the client was granted the residence card. This marked the successful conclusion of a case that had remained stagnant for over half a year and was at risk of rejection due to the negligence of the previous representative.
Client Outcome:
The client obtained a legal residency status in Poland, which opened the way for official employment, access to banking services, rental agreements, medical insurance, and potentially permanent residency or citizenship in the future.
He also received full legal support throughout the entire process from the moment I took over the case until the final decision, along with clear explanations of future steps and recommendations.
Result:
✅ Official contact established with the office and full access to the file obtained
✅ Complete and compliant set of documents prepared and submitted
✅ Immediate response to additional requests from the authorities
✅ A positive decision was issued granting the residence card
✅ Legal stay in Poland fully secured and uninterrupted
This case highlights the importance not only of submitting documents but also of monitoring the case, maintaining communication with authorities, understanding deadlines, and ensuring timely responses to official inquiries.
Even though the original application was submitted without my supervision, professional intervention allowed not only to save the case but to successfully bring it to a positive outcome, avoiding resubmission, loss of time, and financial resources. The client didn’t just receive a residence card — he regained control over his legal standing in Poland.
