Residence of a foreigner's child in Poland

The child comes to a parent

A minor child of a foreigner living in Poland (e.g. on permanent residence, as an EU resident or for at least 2 years on consecutive temporary residence permits) can get a permit for family reunification (Art. 159 paras. 1 and 3). This applies to the spouses' joint child, also adopted, and to the child of one of them who is supported by that parent and over whom that parent actually exercises parental authority.

The age on the day of the application counts: the child must be a minor then (Art. 159 para. 3a). Health insurance, income and a place to live are required (Art. 159 para. 1 points 2 and 3).

A child born in Poland

• A child born during the validity of a parent's national visa or temporary residence permit can get a temporary residence permit - until the end of validity of the parent's document (Art. 160 point 2 and Art. 162 para. 2). The parent must have health insurance, income and housing.
• If a parent has permanent residence or EU resident status, a child born after they were granted, or still during the parent's temporary residence, can get a permanent residence permit straight away (Art. 195 para. 1 point 1). The application deadline does not apply to a child born in Poland (Art. 202 para. 3).

Such a child cannot be refused a permit only because they stay in Poland illegally (Art. 165 para. 3).

A child of a Polish citizen

A child of a Polish citizen under that citizen's parental authority can get a permanent residence permit (Art. 195 para. 1 point 2). Often, however, the child is a Polish citizen from birth - see citizenship of a child.

Application

The application for a child is submitted and signed in MOS by a parent or guardian (Art. 105 para. 2 and Art. 106d para. 3). Fingerprints are not taken from a child under 6 - see fingerprints.