Summons to appear in person

After the application is submitted, the voivode summons you to the office within a period of not less than 7 days from the delivery of the summons (Art. 106e para. 1 of the Act on Foreigners). During the visit:

  • you present a valid passport (or another identity document, if you exceptionally submitted the application without a passport),
  • you give your fingerprints,
  • you give a specimen signature.

The summons may arrive together with a summons to remove formal defects, to pay the stamp duty or to submit documents. During the visit you may also receive the certificate of submission of the application.

How fingerprints are taken

Fingerprints are taken electronically from the index fingers of both hands. When they are illegible or a finger is missing - in turn from the middle fingers, ring fingers or thumbs (section 7 of the regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) of 10 April 2026). The fingerprints go on the residence card.

If, for reasons on the side of the office, fingerprints cannot be taken on the day of the visit, the voivode sets a new date - at least 7 days from the delivery of the summons (Art. 106g).

Who is exempt

  • A child under 6 years of age - does not give fingerprints and does not attend. The parent or guardian who submitted the application attends on the summons, with the child's passport (Art. 106h para. 1 point 1 and para. 2).
  • A child under 13 years of age - does not give a specimen signature (Art. 106b para. 3).
  • A person who cannot attend because of illness or disability - a certificate from a specialist doctor issued no earlier than 3 months before the application was submitted is needed. Such a person sends a certified copy of the passport and a specimen signature on the summons (Art. 106h para. 1 point 2 and para. 3).
  • Fingerprints are not taken when this is physically impossible (Art. 106b para. 2).

What happens if you do not attend

If you do not appear despite a proper summons, or you come but do not give fingerprints or a specimen signature or do not present your passport, the voivode discontinues the proceedings (Art. 106i). You can submit a new application only during a legal stay.

If you cannot come on the appointed day, do not ignore the summons. Contact the office before the deadline and keep confirmation of that contact.