Publication date: 25.08.2025
A graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Wrocław (Uniwersytet Wrocławski), one of Poland's leading universities. Gained initial hands-on experience through a court internship followed by training in a law office. Worked for two years at a law firm specializing primarily in legalization of foreigners' stay in Poland, as well as civil, criminal, and family law cases. Acquired valuable experience under the guidance of two experienced attorney-mentors, one of whom previously served as an inspector at the Voivodeship Office in Wrocław (Urząd Wojewódzki we Wrocławiu). These in-depth skills and knowledge laid a strong foundation for launching an independent legal practice and establishing his own firm.
Case: Successful Appeal of Refusal to Grant a Long-Term EU Resident Permit
Description of the situation and client's problem
A client, a citizen of Ukraine, who had lived in Poland for more than five years and met, in his opinion, all the criteria for obtaining a long-term EU resident permit, approached lawyer Oleksandr Fraier. The client submitted the corresponding application to the Lower Silesian Voivode, but received a refusal decision. The problem was that the Voivode pointed out minor but, in his opinion, critical deficiencies in the submitted documents, which jeopardized the client's acquisition of the important status that would guarantee him a stable future in the EU.
Analysis of the situation and key reasons for refusal (as determined by the Voivode)
The Voivode justified the refusal by citing two main reasons, which are usually the most difficult to appeal:
- Lack of continuous stay: The Voivode discovered a short-term trip by the client outside of Poland, which, in his opinion, violated the condition of continuous stay for five years.
- Insufficient confirmation: It was pointed out that the documents confirming a stable and regular source of income, as well as the presence of medical insurance for the entire required period, were insufficient, even though the client had provided the relevant certificates.
Desired Outcome:
Successful appeal of the Voivode's decision, obtaining a long-term EU resident permit, and ensuring a stable future in Poland.
Responsible Lawyer:
Oleksandr Fraier — a lawyer specializing in migration law and the legalization of foreigners' stay in Poland.
Legal strategy and stages of lawyer Oleksandr Fraier's work
Lawyer Oleksandr Fraier developed a multi-stage strategy aimed at a complete refutation of the reasons for refusal and proving the client's correctness.
- Detailed analysis of the refusal decision: The lawyer conducted a deep analysis of the Voivode's decision, revealing that the client's departure was short-term and justified, and should not violate the requirement of continuous stay according to Polish law. Legal arguments were prepared that refuted the Voivode's conclusion.
- Collection and supplementation of evidence: The lawyer actively worked to collect and prepare all necessary additional documents. New certificates were obtained from employers, as well as additional documents confirming the sufficiency and stability of income, which met the legal requirements for the entire period of stay.
- Preparation and submission of a successful appeal: The lawyer drafted and submitted a reasoned appeal to the Head of the Office for Foreigners within the 14-day period. The appeal contained clear legal arguments that refuted each point of the Voivode's refusal, and provided a complete package of additional, convincing evidence.
Result: Thanks to the professional work of lawyer Oleksandr Fraier and the meticulously prepared appeal, the Head of the Office for Foreigners canceled the decision of the Lower Silesian Voivode to refuse and granted the client a long-term EU resident permit in Poland. This was a significant legal victory that confirmed that at the time of application, the client was legally in Poland and his documents met all the requirements of the law.
This case is a vivid example of how qualified legal assistance and a well-thought-out strategy can ensure a positive outcome even in complex migration cases. It demonstrates that with the right legal support, it is possible to successfully appeal an unlawful decision of a state body and restore the client's right to legal stay and employment.
