When should I apply?
You apply for a permanent residence permit for your child if you are a foreigner who has been granted a permanent residence permit or a residence permit for a long-term resident of the EU and you want to obtain a permanent residence permit for your minor child born:
- after granting you a permanent residence permit or a residence permit for a long-term resident of the EU, or
- during the period of validity of the temporary residence permit granted to you or during the period of permit granted to you for humanitarian reasons or permit for tolerated stay or in connection with granting you refugee status or subsidiary protection.
The application on behalf of a minor foreigner is submitted by parents or guardians appointed by the court, or one of the parents or one of the guardians appointed by the court. When applying, a minor who is at least 6 years old must be present.
If your child was born in Poland, apply immediately after obtaining the child's travel document.
If you apply before the expiry date of your child's legal status, your child can legally remain in Poland while their application is pending. Make sure you have submitted an error-free application. Their passport must be valid at this time.
Children born in Poland will be legally in Poland only after their permanent residence permit is granted.
Before you apply, read our tips on how to fill in an application form.
Where to submit an application
1. Go to mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl and create an account.
2. Read the information and the list of the most common mistakes while filling in an application.
3. Fill in the application for a temporary residence permit.
4. Provide your current phone number and email address in the application.
5. Print out the application form and sign it.
6. Send the printed form along with the required attachments via postal service to the Office of the Opolskie Province, Department of Citizenship and Foreigners (pl. Opolski Urząd Wojewódzki Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców),
7. or submit it to the
Correspondence Registry Office of the Opole Provincial Office (pl. Biuro Podawcze Opolskiego Urzędu Wojewódzkiego), located in the main hall of the Office,
open Monday to Friday during the Office's working hours,
i.e. from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Submit your application no later than the last day of your legal stay in Poland. If you send the application via Poczta Polska (Polish Postal Service), the date of posting the correspondence is taken into account.
The next step is to appear in person/provide your fingerprints. During your visit, you also have to complete other documents that are required to obtain a stamp in your passport.
What documents do I need?
Documents required to start the procedure (i.e. formal requirements)
- Application form - fill in the on-line application or fill in the application in accordance with the instructions in 1 copy (application to be downloaded).
- 4 photographs,
- A photocopy of a valid travel document (the original for inspection), in a particularly justified case, when you do not have a valid travel document and you are not able to obtain one, you may present another document confirming your child's identity.
To start the proceedings will also be needed confirmation that you have paid the stamp duty.
Documents needed to grant the permit:
- child's birth certificate,
- a copy of the parent's decision to grant a residence permit in Poland.
All documents are submitted in original / certified copy.
What should I know?
Permanent residence permits are granted for an indefinite period.
I have received my decison - how to get my residence card now?
When a residence card issued to a minor over 13 years of age is collected, his/her presence is required. When a residence card has been issued to a minor under 13 years of age by the date of its receipt, the card shall be collected by his legal representative or guardian.
The residence card is issued after obtaining a positive decision on granting the permit. Read how to get a residence card
Application check-listUpdated: 04-03-2026