The process of legalising a stay in Poland requires not only careful preparation of documents, but above all adherence to deadlines. Even a slight delay may have serious consequences - from the loss of legality of stay to the necessity to leave the country. Therefore, every foreigner should be familiar with the most important dates and rules concerning the submission of applications, receipt of documents and extension of permits.

Why are deadlines in the legalisation process so important?

The legalisation of residence is an administrative procedure based on strict deadlines. The provincial office must have time to process the application and the foreigner must submit the documents in good time. Even a one-day delay may result in the loss of the right to legal residence.

It is worth remembering that the decision to legalise your stay is not retroactive - if you apply after the deadline, your stay between the expiry of the previous permit and the submission of the new one will be considered illegal.

When to apply for legalisation of residence?

An application for extension of stay should be submitted at the latest on the last day of validity of the existing permit. If the document expires on, for example, 30 November, the application must be delivered to the provincial office by that date at the latest.

Submitting the application earlier (e.g. 30 days before the end of the permit) is definitely safer. The officials gain time to analyse the documents and the foreigner can calmly await the decision.

After the application has been submitted, the office will issue acknowledgement of receipt of documents (stamp in passport) - is a temporary extension of the legality of stay until the case is examined. It is worth knowing that this stamp entitles you to stay in Poland, but not to travel within the Schengen area.

Deadlines for the provincial office

According to the regulations, the provincial office should process the application for legalization of residence within 60 days from the moment the complete set of documents is submitted. In practice, however, this time is often extended, especially in large cities where the number of applications is very high.

If the office does not manage to issue the decision in time, the foreigner has the right to ask for an explanation of the reasons for the delay. A legalisation counsellor can in such a case help to prepare an appropriate letter and speed up the procedure.

What deadlines apply once the decision has been received?

After obtaining a positive decision on the residence permit, the foreigner should:

1. Receive a residence card within 30 days of receipt of the notification.
2. Report a change of address or other data in the office within 15 days.
3. Apply for a replacement residence card in the event of its loss, damage or change of data within 14 days.

Failure to meet these deadlines may result in an administrative penalty or cancellation of the document.

Time limits for appeals and refusals

If the voivodship office issues a refusal, the foreigner has the right to appeal to the Head of the Office for Foreigners within the time limit of 14 days after notification of the decision. The appeal must be lodged through the provincial office that issued the decision.

In the event of an unsuccessful appeal, the case may be referred to an administrative court - within the time limit 30 days after receipt of the decision. In such situations, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a lawyer or legalisation advisor who will prepare the appropriate justification.

What can be done to avoid missing deadlines?

The best way to avoid mistakes is to keep a legalisation calendar - recording application dates, document validity, planned departures and dates for receiving residence cards.

W ID Poland We assist clients not only in the preparation of documents, but also in the monitoring of their cases. This ensures that no deadline is missed and the process runs smoothly and without stress.

Why use an advisor?

A legalisation advisor is someone who is familiar with all the key deadlines, regulations and requirements. He or she can remind about upcoming deadlines, keep an eye on contact with the authorities and intervene in case of delays. This is particularly important if the foreigner does not speak the Polish language well or is often outside the country.

With professional support, many problems can be avoided and you can concentrate calmly on your work or studies.

Summary

Deadlines in the process of legalising a stay are the basis for the safety of every foreigner in Poland. Submitting the application on time, receiving the residence card and complying with information obligations are the elements that determine whether the stay will be considered legal.

If you do not want to risk losing your right of residence or making a formal error, contact our team. W ID Poland - Contact We remind customers of key deadlines and help them safely through the entire legalisation process.