Two routes

If you have UKR status, you can apply for the CUKR card or for an ordinary temporary residence permit. These are two different applications. The choice has consequences for your temporary protection, so compare them before submitting an application.

The CUKR card

  • You do not state the purpose of stay. The conditions are UKR status on 4 June 2025, UKR status on the day of the application and 365 days of status (Art. 42c). They are described in the guide who can submit a CUKR application.
  • Fees: 100 PLN for the card and 340 PLN of stamp duty (Art. 42n and Art. 42s).
  • The voivode has 180 days for the card (Art. 42l). The card is valid for 3 years (Art. 42p).
  • A permit from CUKR exempts you from the obligation to have a work permit (Art. 42v).

An ordinary temporary residence permit

As a rule the Act on Foreigners does not allow a person who is staying in Poland on the basis of temporary protection to submit a temporary residence application (Art. 99 para. 1 point 4). For UKR status there is an exception. A person with a legal stay under Art. 106 of the Act on Granting Protection to Foreigners and with UKR status can apply for a permit (Art. 45 para. 1 of the Act of 23 January 2026):

  • for temporary residence and work (Art. 114 para. 1),
  • for the purpose of work in a profession requiring high qualifications (Art. 127),
  • for the purpose of running a business (Art. 142 para. 1 or 3),
  • for a family member of a Polish citizen (Art. 158 para. 1),
  • for the purpose of family reunification (Art. 159 para. 1).

Such a permit has its own conditions, for example a contract with the employer, remuneration or family documents. We describe them in the guides temporary residence and work and documents for the application. The voivode then uses the fingerprints stored in the register, so you usually do not have to give them again (Art. 45 paras. 3 and 6).

What happens to temporary protection

  • Temporary protection expires when you are granted a temporary residence permit (Art. 109b para. 1 point 4 of the Act on Granting Protection to Foreigners). The CUKR card requires UKR status on the day of the application (Art. 42c point 2), and after an ordinary permit temporary protection expires.
  • If you submit a CUKR application, an unfinished proceeding on a temporary residence permit will be discontinued by operation of law (Art. 42i).
  • The CUKR card is valid for 3 years, and Art. 42c-42x do not describe its extension. A permit from CUKR lasts until the end of the validity of the card (Art. 42r para. 1).

Stamp duty for an ordinary permit

Part III para. 2 of the annex to the Act on Stamp Duty exempts from the fee "a permit granted to a foreigner benefiting from temporary protection". For CUKR, Art. 42s expressly imposes a fee of 340 PLN. Before paying for an ordinary permit, check whether the exemption applies to your application.

How to choose

Ask yourself three questions: do you have an employer and a contract that meets the conditions for a work permit, do you meet the 365 days of UKR status and how long do you want to stay in Poland. See also the CUKR card and the difference between a permit and a card.