Is your company preparing for an expansion into Poland? For many, an important part of the expansion process is bringing foreign employees to work on the operation, but to do this, each employee will need a valid Poland work visa.
Obtaining work visas for Poland can be a complicated process, with different types of visa options, strict requirements, and a language barrier to deal with, all potentially leading to delays.
At Horizons, our foreign expansion specialists offer a wide selection of Poland work visa services, immigration help, and outsourcing solutions to give your organization everything needed to build and grow your operation in Poland with the help of the best globally sourced talent.
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Basic requirements for Poland work visas
Foreign workers need both a visa to enter and stay in the country, and a work permit to allow them to work. There are a few options for both, each of which has slightly different requirements, but some of the main requirements include:
- A valid passport and photos
- Application forms
- Application fees
- Proof of medical insurance
- Employer info (such as a business license and financials)
Types of Poland work visas
Firstly, as Poland is a member of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA), nationals of other EU/EEA countries do not need to meet the normal visa requirements. For workers from outside the EU/EEA, however, a visa and work permit are required.
In terms of visas, most foreign workers will need either the C (short-stay) visa, or the D (long-stay) visa, which are both types of Schengen visas.
Regarding the work permit, Type A is needed for foreign workers employed by a Polish company. Alternatively, Type C or E may be more suitable for some workers. These two visas are intended for internal transfers of existing employees to a Polish branch.
How to get a Poland work permit
Employees can apply for Polish visas themselves, but the employer will need to handle the work permit application process. To start the process, the employer needs to prove that no Polish or EU nationals are suitable to fill the role by doing a labor market test.
Following the labor market test, the employer will need to officially apply for a work permit and meet the various criteria, such as the salary/wage requirements and providing all requested documentation.
Finally, the work permit will be issued by the Voivodeship office and the employee in question can start working.
Other considerations
Due to the various stages of the application process for Polish work visas and permits, it is essential that you and your employees engage with the process early to avoid delays.
Also, visas and permits have time limits, so be sure to renew them well in advance of the expiry date to avoid disappointment.
How can Horizons help?
At Horizons, we help companies of all kinds build and grow their presence in Poland, and we are experts in obtaining work visas and permits for Poland. Our Poland work visa specialists offer reliable guidance and tailored outsourcing services to support you through the nation’s complex immigration process rapidly and effectively. We can ensure that you and your employees are in absolute compliance with Poland’s immigration and employment regulations, save you time, and provide answers to any queries you may have about the process.
Additionally, we offer extensive outsourcing services covering recruitment, payroll, HR, administration, and more to help you begin your Polish expansion as efficiently as possible, even if you don’t have an established entity in the country.
