Rules for retaining Polish documents after dismissal and notification deadlines
Dismissal from work in Poland may affect the validity of a residence card if the residence permit is tied to a specific employer. The legislation provides 15 working days for written notification of the voivode about job loss and a 30-day grace period for finding new employment. This was reported by RBC-Ukraine (Остапова Анастасія) citing Styler, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
In Poland, the consequences of terminating employment relations for foreigners depend on the category of residence permit and the grounds on which it was issued. Certain types of documents provide free access to the labor market, while others are strictly tied to a specific company, position, and remuneration conditions recorded in the voivode’s administrative decision.
Categories of permits and employer linkage
Owners of a residence card on the grounds of studying, marriage to a Polish citizen, family reunification, permanent residence, or EU long-term resident status do not lose their legal grounds for staying due to dismissal. They can change companies without reissuing documents. In contrast, a single temporary residence and work permit requires compliance with clear procedures in the event of changing employment.
Mandatory voivode notification deadlines
According to Article 121 of the Polish Act on Foreigners, the holder of a single permit must notify the voivode in writing within 15 working days of losing their job. The document contains the applicant’s personal data, case number, information about the former employer, and the date of contract termination. For violating this requirement, state authorities may initiate the permit revocation procedure.
Grace period for finding a new job
Article 123 of the Act on Foreigners establishes a 30-day grace period from the date of dismissal, during which the permit is not automatically revoked due to job loss. This time allows finding a new employer and preparing the necessary package of documents. The mechanism is applied no more than once during the validity period of the permit.
Procedure for changing the permit and new requirements
In case of employment with another company, the foreigner usually submits an application to change the permit, paying an administrative fee of 220 PLN. The administrative decision changes working conditions, but does not extend the validity period of the card itself. If the new contract is shorter than the remaining period of the previous permit, there is a need to submit a new application for temporary residence.
Photo: RBC-Ukraine
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