Issue of the residence card

Should I submit an application?

If you have received a decision granting a temporary residence permit, you do not need to apply for a residence card , because the residence card is issued ex officio after the temporary residence permit is granted and is valid for the period for which the permit was granted.

You will also receive a residence card from the office after receiving the decision to grant:

•    permanent residence permit and is valid for a period of 10 years from the date of its issue;
•    long-term EU resident's residence permit and is valid for a period of 5 years from the date of its issue;
•    residence permit for humanitarian reasons and is valid for a period of 2 years from the date of its issue.

Address on the residence card

The card will be printed after submitting proof of payment and after providing current confirmation of registration for a temporary stay lasting more than 2 months.

Residence card fees

Fee rate for applications submitted from July 29, 2022:

The fee for issuing the card is PLN 100.

The reduced fee is 50 PLN

Fee rate for applications submitted by July 29, 2022

The fee for issuing the card is PLN 50.

The reduced fee is PLN 25 

You can benefit from the relief if you are:

•    a student
•    a secondary school student
•    a minor child under 16 years of age
•    in a difficult financial situation
•    
You can also pay for your card traditionally by depositing the appropriate amount into our account:

Opole Voivodeship Office
45-081 Opole, ul. Piastowska 14
Account number:  22 1010 1401 0006 9322 3100 0000 

The fee does not apply to residence cards:

- for Belarusian citizens who have received a temporary residence permit for humanitarian reasons in connection with their D21 visa,

- for UK citizens who have received a temporary residence permit for employees posted by a foreign employer to the territory of the Republic of Poland.

How long will I wait?
The residence card will be issued approximately one month after submitting proof of payment and confirmation of registration. If you hold a permanent residence permit based on the Pole's Card, the residence card will be printed upon return of the Pole's Card .

What should I know?

Read our guide

 

You collect your residence card in person at  the Foreigners' Service Center of the Opole Voivodeship Office, room 56. A residence card issued to a minor over 13 years of age must be present when collecting it. If the residence card was issued to a minor who is under 13 years of age by the date of collection, the card must be collected by their legal representative or guardian.

Book an appointment to collect your card via the website  https://bezkolejki.eu/ouw

If you make a reservation online, please arrive 10 minutes in advance at your chosen time to collect your ticket from the Ticket Machine.

To collect your residence card, please bring a valid travel document and your previous residence card, if issued. 

Check if your card is ready for collection by calling the following number:
 77 4524 305,
 

Address on the residence card

The card printout is ordered after submitting the proof of payment and after providing the current confirmation of registration for a temporary stay lasting over 2 months.

If you do not submit confirmation of registration within 14 days from the date of receipt of the decision to grant a temporary residence permit, your residence card will not have a residence address.

You can also make a statement if you want to have the address on the card.

How long is the waiting time?

The residence card will be issued approximately 1 month from the submission of proof of payment and confirmation of registration/or declaration of lack of address on the card. If you have a permanent residence permit due to a Pole's Card, a printout of the residence card will be ordered after returning the Pole's Card.

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FAQ

I have a new passport. Do I have to exchange a residence card?

No, unless the data in your new passport has changed which are included in the residence card, e.g. name. If you have a new passport in your new name, apply for an exchange of residence card.

I have a residence card without a registered address. I have changed my place of residence in Poland. Do I have to inform the Governor’s Office about this?

  • Yes, if you have a residence card with a registered address - submit an application to exchange the card due to a change in the data contained in the existing residence card, i.e. the address. An application for exchange of a residence card should be submitted within 14 days of changing...
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My residence card contains the annotation „access to labour market”. Does it mean I am allowed to change an employer without the need to apply for another residence permit?

If you were granted a temporary residence and work permit, you employer was specified in the administrative decision. This means you have received you residence card with relation to performing work for the employer appointed in the decision and on the terms specified in the permit. The „access...

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Can I hire a foreigner who is a holder of a residence card with the annotation „access to labour market”?

No. The annotation does not necessarily mean that the foreigner gained a full access to the labour market. His/her access to labour market may be restricted to performing work for a specific employer and on terms specified in the foreigner’s residence permit (if the foreigner was granted a...

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Can I travel abroad if I have a Polish residence card? Where and for how long?

If you have a Polish residence card, you can move around the Schengen Area for a period of up to 90 days within a 180 days period without the need to obtain a visa. While travelling around the Schengen Area, you should present a valid passport and as well as a valid residence card. Apart from...

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