If you're a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national planning to work in Poland, you’ll need a Poland Work Visa, commonly a Type D national visa, to enter and live legally. This visa goes hand in hand with a work permit—a document your prospective employer applies for to authorize your stay and employment. Once inside Poland, you’ll need to apply for a temporary residence permit, which enables you to live and work legally beyond the initial visa period.
Work Permit Types
Your eligibility depends on who your employer is and the nature of your work:
Type A: You work for a Polish employer (including branches), long-term.
Type B: You serve on the board or lead a Polish company for over six months.
Type C: You are posted to a Polish branch by a foreign employer for over 30 days.
Type D: You are sent to Poland by a foreign employer, with no local presence, for temporary, occasional services.
Type E: You are posted for purposes not covered by B, C, or D, for over 30 days within six months.
Work Permit Process
Your employer must complete a labour market test and apply to the Voivodeship Office with the employment contract, company documents, and tax compliance proof. Processing usually takes 4–8 weeks, up to 3 months for complex cases.
Applying for the Visa
Apply in person at a Polish consulate after receiving work permit.
Documents: Passport + e-Konsulat form, original work permit, proof of lodging, health insurance (€30,000+), financial means, employer invitation/contract.
Fee: €60–€100
Processing: 30–60 days (expedited possible).
Full compliance—works legally with the right documentation.
Path to residence—D visa supports applications for multi-year stay permits.
Flexibility—permit types cover various employment scenarios, from local hiring to brief assignments.
Representation—employers drive the process, making it smoother for applicants.
A software engineer from India receives a job contract in Warsaw. Their employer conducts the labour test and applies for a Type A work permit. Once approved, the applicant uses it to apply for a D-type visa. Upon arrival, they register their address and apply for a temporary residence permit—ready to begin their new role legally and smoothly.
Your employer must apply for it on your behalf with the voivodeship office.
Work permit: 1–3 months; visa: another 30–60 days. In total, expect 2–4 months or more depending on region.
No. You need the D visa to legally enter Poland and a residence permit to continue working.
Yes—within Poland you must register your address at your local town hall after entry.
Yes—if you hold a two-year temporary work permit, your family may apply for reunification visas.
Yes—Poland has tightened visa rules following a "cash-for-visas" scandal, increasing scrutiny on applications.