Type A work permit
Employer-driven. There is no candidate points system and no self-sponsored route — an employer applies on your behalf.
- Typical time
- 3–6 months
- Government fee
- PLN 100
What a Polish work permit is
An employer-led permission to work in Poland for a specific job with a specific company. It is not permanent residence and it does not become permanent residence on its own.
The sequence is: the employer obtains a work permit for the role, you apply for a national visa or a temporary residence and work permit, and you renew as the job continues. Long-term EU resident status becomes available only after five years of continuous legal residence, and it carries a Polish language requirement at B1.
B1 in Polish is a serious undertaking. It is routinely left out of the sales conversation, and it is the single reason people who planned on a five-year route are still on temporary permits at year seven.
Why people choose it anyway
The honest answer is speed and access. Entry salary thresholds are far below Western Europe, the labour shortage is real across construction, logistics, manufacturing and care, and it is one of the few EU destinations reachable without a degree. Somebody who wants to be working legally inside the EU within months, rather than building a points score for two years, has few better options.
What we will not tell you
That this is a route to a European passport. It can become one, over a long horizon, with the language. Presented as anything faster it is a misrepresentation, and it is the most common one in this market.
If permanent residence is your actual goal, the points-based systems — Canada, Australia, New Zealand — are a more direct answer, and our free assessment will tell you where you stand against them in about four minutes.
What to check before you pay anyone
Who the employer is, and whether the job exists. A permit is issued for a named employer and a named role. Ask for the company registration and the job description that will appear on the permit.
Whether the salary on the permit is the salary you will be paid. These must match, and a gap between the two is the most common abuse in this market.
What happens if you leave the job. A permit tied to one employer does not transfer automatically, and the answer determines how much say you have after arrival.
Poland can be a sound decision made with clear eyes. It is a poor one made on a promise of a European passport in five years.
This is an indicative estimate based on the information you provided. It is not immigration advice and does not guarantee eligibility or a visa outcome. Official criteria are set by the relevant government and change frequently. Book a consultation for an assessment of your specific circumstances.