‼️Attention!‼
‼ Extension of legal stay: visas, residence cards, and even visa-free travel during the epidemic.‼️
Briefly on the main points regarding the legalization of foreigners’ stay:
❗️From March 14, 2020, the following types of stay are extended for 30 days from the day after the epidemic is declared over:❗️
National visas that expired during the epidemic;
Residence cards that expired during the epidemic;
Deadline for submitting applications for a residence card (temporary, permanent, resident card);
Validity of already issued work permits (zezwolenie), seasonal work permits, and half-year oświadczenie declarations.
Legal stay will only be possible within Poland, travel to Schengen countries is not allowed.
❗️Additionally, the following deadlines are extended:❗️
Departure from Poland due to receiving a refusal decision, notice of case termination, annulment of a residence card.
Voluntary return home (soft deportation).
???And most importantly! Visa-free stay is not extended automatically!
However, you may stay under visa-free travel if you apply for a residence card within 30 days from the day after the epidemic is declared over.???
Examples:
✅ National visa is expiring⁉️
⚠️ You may stay in Poland. Legal stay will be extended for 30 days after the end of the epidemic.⚠️
✅ Visa-free stay is expiring⁉️
⚠️ You may stay in Poland if you apply for a residence card within 30 days after the end of the epidemic. If you don’t want to apply, the visa-free period is not extended and you must leave, otherwise the entire period will be considered illegal stay.⚠️
✅ Residence card has expired⁉️
⚠️ You may stay and reapply for a new one within 30 days after the epidemic ends.⚠️
✅ You were fired but have a residence card⁉️ ⚠️ You must notify the Voivode about the job loss on time, but you can reapply for a new card within 30 days after the end of the epidemic.⚠️
✅ Oświadczenie or zezwolenie is expiring⁉️ ⚠️ You can continue working legally and officially until 30 days after the end of the epidemic.⚠️
So until the end of the epidemic, everyone can stay in Poland under certain conditions.
Legal basis: USTAWA z dnia 31 marca 2020 r. o zmianie ustawy o szczególnych rozwiązaniach związanych z zapobieganiem, przeciwdziałaniem i zwalczaniem COVID-19, innych chorób zakaźnych oraz wywołanych nimi sytuacji kryzysowych oraz niektórych innych ustaw
