In Poland, The Office For Foreigners Is Preparing For A Critical Influx Of Applications
- 26.09.2025, 15:45
It could paralyze the agency.
The Office for Foreigners (UdsC) is preparing to operate in crisis management mode. This is due to the fact that President Karol Nawrocki has not yet signed the law that extends the conditions for Ukrainians to stay in Poland.
If it does not come into force on October 1, up to 990,000 Ukrainians may apply for a certificate of temporary protection. This could paralyze the work of the agency and voivodship administrations, writes Most with reference to Gazeta Prawna.
The first version of the document, adopted by the Sejm, was vetoed by Navrotsky because that bill did not link the payment of benefits to foreigners with their activity on the labor market. The government has since drafted a new version of the document. It has already been adopted by the Seimas and the Senate. But this bill has to be signed by the President. And the law that regulates these issues at the moment is valid only until September 30, 2025.
Ukrainian refugees are under temporary protection in the EU. It is valid until March 4, 2027. Therefore, even if the new law does not take effect on October 1, Ukrainians' stay in Poland will be legal. However, they will probably have to issue a certificate on the use of temporary protection through UdsC. Employers may require it to continue employing Ukrainians, and it may also be needed to cross the border.
If almost 1 million Ukrainians apply for certificates, it will critically increase the burden on the system of the Office for Foreigners. You can apply in person or online, but you will only need to pick up the certificate in person.
The influx of applicants will also increase in voivodship administrations, where Ukrainians who are not entitled to temporary protection status apply. Already now, in a number of voivodeships, the agencies have recorded an increase in applications from several percent to several tens of percent.
This legal problem concerns Ukrainians, but the lack of staff and the heavy workload of officials may have a negative impact on other foreigners undergoing legalization.