RESIDENCE PERMIT – FAMILY REUNIFICATION

Residence permit — family reunification

A residence card for family reunification? Yes, it is possible. A temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification is a provision set out in Article 159 of the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2023, item 519, as amended).

However, what conditions must be met cumulatively in order to obtain such a temporary permit?

1. To be present on the territory of the Republic of Poland;
2. Be a family member of a foreign national residing in Poland on the basis of:
3. A permanent residence permit;
4. An EU long-term resident’s residence permit;
5. Refugee status;
6. The granting of subsidiary protection;
7. Successive temporary residence permits, including one issued immediately prior to submitting an application for a temporary residence permit for a family member — on the basis of a permit granted for a period of residence of not less than one year (they must have resided in Poland for a period of at least two years);
8. Temporary residence permits or national visas — for the purpose of conducting scientific research or development work;
9. Temporary residence permits for the purpose of long-term researcher mobility;
10. Temporary residence permits for the purpose of working in a profession requiring high qualifications;
11. Temporary residence permits granted for the purpose of working under an intra-corporate transfer;
12. Temporary residence permits granted for the long-term mobility of a manager, specialist or trainee as part of an intra-corporate transfer;
13. Temporary residence permits granted on the grounds of the completion of scientific research or development work and the search for employment within the territory of the Republic of Poland, or the commencement of business activity;
14. Right of residence or right of permanent residence for a British citizen;
15. Residence permits on humanitarian grounds;
16. Hold health insurance in Poland;
17. Have a stable and regular source of income sufficient to cover the living costs of oneself and any dependent family members;
18. Have a place of residence secured within the territory of the Republic of Poland.

Temporary residence card for family reunification – how to obtain one?

Obtaining a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification also means you can apply for the associated residence card. If this is your first residence card, as a general rule, you will not need to submit any application, as you will be issued with the residence card automatically.

However, if for any reason this does not happen automatically, you can use the same application form for a temporary residence card for family reunification that we have already provided in another article on our blog (“Residence card – template”).

In that same article, you’ll also find a template for an application for a temporary residence permit in Poland.

Do you need help with obtaining a temporary residence permit for family reunification and the associated residence card?

Are you a foreign national with an immediate family member legally resident in Poland? If you wish to obtain a temporary residence permit on this basis for the purpose of family reunification, and subsequently also a residence card for family reunification, seek assistance from the Firma Dla Każdego Foundation.

The Firma Dla Każdego Foundation helps foreign nationals who wish to live in Poland entirely legally by assisting them with administrative matters, liaising with provincial authorities, translating documents, providing legal assistance, and offering health insurance as well as medical and sports care packages.

For more information on the support offered to foreign nationals by the ‘Firma Dla Każdego’ Foundation, please visit: https://firmadlakazdego.pl/cudzoziemcy/.