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 December 2024, a Ukrainian citizen contacted me because he was unable to obtain a new international passport while in Poland. Due to restrictions imposed by the state enterprise “Dokument,” passport services were temporarily suspended for men of conscription age, making it impossible for him to legally remain in the country and creating serious risks to his immigration status.
The Problem:
The client’s international passport had expired, and he was unable to obtain a new one. As a result, he could not legalize his stay, apply for a residence permit, or access basic rights such as signing an employment contract or using banking services.
The situation was further complicated by the fact that the client had no alternative document confirming his legal status in Poland.
Solution:
Following a consultation, I advised the client to initiate the procedure for international protection. He was promptly registered for an interview with Straż Graniczna — the Polish Border Guard.
On December 16, 2024, we attended the interview together, submitted the application (wniosek), and on the same day, the client received a temporary foreigner's identity certificate, which granted him official status and temporary legal stay in Poland.
Two months later, it was time to exchange the temporary document. I prepared a new application and sent it to the client with instructions. However, when mailing it, the client mistakenly forgot to include one of the required photographs. This led to delays in processing the case. After an extended period with no update, I submitted an official request to the Head of the Office for Foreigners (Szef Urzędu do Spraw Cudzoziemców) to obtain the current status of the case.
The response indicated that the documentation was incomplete. The very next day, I sent the missing photograph by post. However, we later received a notification that the application had been rejected due to missing the deadline.
That same day, I drafted and submitted an official appeal against the decision, along with a request to reopen the case. Six days later, the Office responded that the new temporary certificate had already been sent to the client by mail.
Client Outcome:
The client received a valid foreigner’s identity certificate, allowing him to legally stay in Poland, work, sign contracts, and avoid legal risks associated with an undocumented status. Thanks to my actions, the case was successfully reopened without missing deadlines or needing to reapply or pay additional fees.
Result:
✅ International protection granted and legal stay secured
✅ Temporary identity certificate obtained after passport services were denied
✅ Appeal successfully submitted and case reopened despite procedural error
✅ Legal continuity preserved and risks of undocumented status avoided
This case shows how even in complicated situations involving procedural errors, positive outcomes can be achieved through professional legal support and accurate case management.
The client received full protection of his rights, and a situation that could have ended in deportation or undocumented status was resolved successfully and lawfully.
