Residence Permits in Poland Are Now Online Only: A Simple Guide to MOS

If you are a foreigner living in Poland, you probably remember long queues at the voivodeship office and heavy folders of paper. That has changed. Poland now handles most residence permit applications through an online system called MOS, the Case Handling Module.

Since 27 April 2026, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long term resident status must be filed online. Paper applications that arrive at the office on or after that date are not examined. Here is how the new system works and how to avoid delays.

Which Applications Go Through MOS

What You Need Before You Start

• A valid passport and your current legal basis of stay.
• A trusted profile or a qualified electronic signature to sign the application.
• A recent photo and scans of your documents.
• Proof of the purpose of your stay, such as a job contract or university letter.
• Proof of paid fees, including the card fee.

You must file while you are legally in Poland. An application filed from abroad will not be accepted. The date that counts is the date the system receives your application, so do not wait until the last day of your current permit.

Official Fees

The official fees are paid to the Polish authorities. For permanent residence, the stamp duty is 640 zloty, paid when you apply, and the residence card costs 100 zloty, paid separately before filing. Some groups, such as Karta Polaka holders, are exempt from the stamp duty. Fees for temporary residence depend on the purpose, so check the current amount on the official office website.

Private firms may charge extra for help, but these are not official fees. You can file on your own if you are comfortable with the system.

How Long a Decision Takes

For permanent residence, the voivode has six months to decide. If you appeal, the Head of the Office for Foreigners has 90 days. In practice, times vary between regions. While your application is being handled, you may still need to attend the office in person to give fingerprints.

Step by Step

1. Create an account in MOS and confirm your identity.
2. Choose the correct type of application.
3. Fill in the form and upload your documents.
4. Pay the stamp duty and card fee, and upload proof.
5. Sign with your trusted profile or qualified signature and submit.
6. Watch your MOS account and email for requests and appointment dates.

Common Mistakes

The most common problems are choosing the wrong application type, uploading unclear scans, forgetting proof of payment and filing too late. Another mistake is ignoring messages in the system. If the office asks for more documents and you miss the deadline, your case can be left without examination.

Keeping Your Right to Stay

If you file your application in MOS while you are legally in Poland, and your application has no formal gaps, your stay is usually treated as legal while you wait for the decision. This is why filing on time matters so much. If you file after your permit or visa has ended, you may lose this protection.

Keep the confirmation of your filing safe, together with proof of payment. If you need to travel while you wait, check the current rules carefully first, because leaving the Schengen area without a valid card or visa can make it hard to come back. Many people choose not to travel outside Schengen until the new card is ready.

Finally, tell the office if your situation changes during the process, for example if you change employer or address. A permit is linked to the purpose you gave, and changes can affect the decision.

Before You Rely on Any Figure

This reflects official announcements and published guidance as of October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change, so check the official government website on the day you act. For questions about your own case, speak to a licensed immigration lawyer or an authorised representative. World Visa Academy is a training academy; it does not file applications or guarantee any visa or outcome.

The Honest Summary

Residence permits in Poland are now an online process. Prepare your documents, sign correctly, pay the official fees and file before your current stay ends. Check your MOS account often so you never miss a request.

Key takeaways

• Since 27 April 2026, most residence permit applications in Poland must be filed online in MOS.
• Paper applications received from that date are not examined.
• You sign with a trusted profile or a qualified electronic signature.
• Permanent residence costs 640 zloty in stamp duty plus 100 zloty for the card.