Paper applications
| Matter | Who submits | Provision of the Act on Foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| temporary residence for the purpose of work as part of an intra-corporate transfer (ICT) | the host entity | Art. 139a para. 1 and Art. 106k |
| temporary residence for the purpose of long-term mobility of a manager, specialist or trainee employee as part of an intra-corporate transfer | the host entity | Art. 139o para. 1 and Art. 106k |
| temporary residence for the purpose of family reunification - when the foreigner is abroad | a family member living in Poland | Art. 159 para. 1 and Art. 106l |
| temporary residence of a family member of a citizen of Poland, of another EU state, of the EEA or of Switzerland, and also - under the withdrawal agreement - of a citizen of the United Kingdom, when the foreigner is abroad | a family member living in Poland | Art. 160 points 1, 3, 4 or 6 and Art. 106l |
| change of a temporary residence and work permit | the foreigner | Art. 120a para. 1 |
Four photographs are attached to a paper application in ICT matters and family reunification from abroad (section 5 of the regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) of 10 April 2026). An application on behalf of a foreigner who is abroad generally requires the foreigner's consent expressed on the official form.
An application from abroad
Outside the matters in the table, you cannot submit an application for a residence permit while you are abroad. The MOS portal stresses that an application in MOS can be submitted only when you are in Poland. If you are abroad, you must first enter Poland legally - for example on a visa or visa-free, if you are entitled to that.
All other applications - only through MOS
An application for temporary residence submitted in any way other than through MOS - for example on paper at the office - is left without examination, unless it is one of the matters in the table (Art. 106c para. 5). Do not waste time on a paper form if your case goes through MOS.