Temporary Residence Permit for Humanitarian Reasons

Poland•Europe

Open

Temporary Residence Permit for Humanitarian Reasons

Residency Pathway Dependents Allowed Remote Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1–4 months

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

3 years

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote work OK

Overview

Enable Belarusian nationals to obtain a 3-year temporary residence permit for humanitarian reasons with full work authorization.

The Temporary Residence Permit for Humanitarian Reasons is Poland's discretionary pathway for Belarusian nationals who hold a valid D21 humanitarian visa and face obstacles preventing return to Belarus. It grants three years of legal residence for individuals unable to repatriate due to safety or humanitarian crises, without formal asylum proceedings.

Granted once for exactly three years and non-renewable, this permit requires applicants to transition to another residence category to remain beyond that period. There is no application fee (PLN 0). Spouses and dependents may reside and work without restrictions. Processing via the MOS portal typically takes 30–120 days.

This visa is ideal for Belarusian nationals stranded in Poland due to political instability or humanitarian crises, who have obtained a D21 visa and seek a stable, fee-free pathway to formal residence without pursuing formal asylum.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

3 years

Eligible Nationalities (1)

Belarus

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Poland

PR-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit

ValidityVaries (Permanent right to reside after 10-year validity period. Can be renewed.)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Poland

EU Long-Term Resident's Permit

Validity5 years

Processing3–6 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a citizen of Belarus.

Must be legally staying in Poland on a national visa issued for humanitarian reasons (marked 'D 21').

Must intend to stay in Poland for more than 3 months.

Must submit the application in person to provide fingerprints.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Online application form submitted via MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl).

Scans or photographs of all pages of valid travel document (passport).

One digital biometric photograph (35mm x 45mm, colour, taken within 6 months).

Valid D21 national visa (must be held directly before submitting the application).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Stamp duty waived (PLN 0) — humanitarian exemption reflecting applicant's vulnerability
Full labor market access for the permit holder without requiring a separate work permit
Permits remote work throughout the entire 3-year period
Pathway to permanent residence or EU long-term resident status upon permit expiry
Dual intent allowed — can pursue permanent residency while holding the permit
3-year duration providing stable legal status and residency documentation
Polish travel document for foreigners available during permit validity

Worth Knowing

Only available to Belarus citizens with an active D21 humanitarian national visa
Non-renewable — granted once for 3 years; must secure next status before expiry
Application must be filed while D21 visa is still valid; cannot apply after it expires
Processing time varies by voivodeship (30–120 days); in-person submission required for fingerprints
Must hold active D21 national humanitarian visa at time of application to the MOS portal

Application Process

Create an account at login.gov.pl and set up a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany).

Obtain a PESEL number if not yet assigned.

Log in to the MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl) via Trusted Profile.

Complete the online application form for a temporary residence permit (selecting 'other circumstances' and 'humanitarian reasons - visa D21').

Upload scans of all travel document pages and one digital biometric photograph.

Sign the application electronically using your Trusted Profile.

Submit the application through MOS no later than the last day of your legal D21 visa stay.

Download the Official Acknowledgement of Receipt (UPO).

Await summons for an in-person appointment to provide fingerprints and complete additional documents.

Await the decision and issuance of the residence card.

Verified Claims (6)

Last verified Jun 27, 2026

Application Steps

Create an account at login.gov.pl and set up a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany).; Obtain a PESEL num…

migrant.poznan.uw.gov.pl

Dependent Visa

Family members cannot apply for family reunification under this permit. Spouse may apply for a separ…

migrant.poznan.uw.gov.pl

Max Stay

3 years (granted once, not renewable)

gov.pl

Max Stay Estimate

type: years, initialDays: 1095, notes: Granted once for 3 years; not renewable

migrant.poznan.uw.gov.pl

Required Docs

Online application form submitted via MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl).; Scans or photographs of …

migrant.poznan.uw.gov.pl

Spouse Can Work

restricted

migrant.poznan.uw.gov.pl

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Overview

Enable Belarusian nationals to obtain a 3-year temporary residence permit for humanitarian reasons with full work authorization.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Poland

PR-Permit — Permanent Residence Permit

ValidityVaries (Permanent right to reside after 10-year validity period. Can be renewed.)

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Poland

EU Long-Term Resident's Permit

Validity5 years

Processing3–6 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a citizen of Belarus.

Must be legally staying in Poland on a national visa issued for humanitarian reasons (marked 'D 21').

Must intend to stay in Poland for more than 3 months.

Must submit the application in person to provide fingerprints.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Online application form submitted via MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl).

Scans or photographs of all pages of valid travel document (passport).

One digital biometric photograph (35mm x 45mm, colour, taken within 6 months).

Valid D21 national visa (must be held directly before submitting the application).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Stamp duty waived (PLN 0) — humanitarian exemption reflecting applicant's vulnerability
Full labor market access for the permit holder without requiring a separate work permit
Permits remote work throughout the entire 3-year period
Pathway to permanent residence or EU long-term resident status upon permit expiry
Dual intent allowed — can pursue permanent residency while holding the permit
3-year duration providing stable legal status and residency documentation
Polish travel document for foreigners available during permit validity

Worth Knowing

Only available to Belarus citizens with an active D21 humanitarian national visa
Non-renewable — granted once for 3 years; must secure next status before expiry
Application must be filed while D21 visa is still valid; cannot apply after it expires
Processing time varies by voivodeship (30–120 days); in-person submission required for fingerprints
Must hold active D21 national humanitarian visa at time of application to the MOS portal

Application Process