As a foreigner seeking to legalize your stay in Poland, you may come across the term “Pole’s Card” while exploring immigration law.
In this article, we will describe what a Pole’s Card is, what documents are required along with an application, and who can successfully apply for a Pole’s Card.
The Pole’s Card is a document that confirms membership to the Polish Nation. It should not be confused with Polish citizenship, visa, or permanent residence permit. In addition, this document itself does not entitle you to cross the Polish border, although it allows you to settle in Poland more easily, for example, by being able to apply for a visa based on it, or for permanent residence in Poland.
The Pole’s Card may be obtained by persons without Polish citizenship who meet the following conditions together:
1.they will show a connection to Polishness through a basic knowledge of the Polish language, which they consider a native language, and confirm their knowledge and cultivation of Polish traditions and customs,
2.in the presence of a consul or a voivode, they will make a written declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation,
3.they will show that they have Polish nationality, or had it:
a)at least one of their parents, or
b)one of the grandparents, or
c)two of their great-grandparents
or will present a certificate from a Polish organization confirming active involvement in the Polish language and culture or Polish national minority activities for at least the last three years before applying.
4.will submit a statement that ancestors did not repatriate or were not forcibly repatriated.
5.does not have a permanent residence permit or stateless status.
Polish ancestry can also be established based on the provisions of the Law on Repatriation, which will be discussed in the next article – provided that the applicant simultaneously confirms knowledge of the Polish language to a basic degree or higher.
Knowledge of the Polish language can be assessed during an interview with the official that will accept the application, or it can be confirmed by:
– a state certificate of knowledge of the Polish language, or
– a certificate of graduation from a school or university in Poland or abroad if the language of instruction was Polish.
For documents that confirm the nationality of ancestors, the originals must be presented. These may include:
– historical civil status certificates of ancestors indicating Polish nationality,
– historical documents confirming military service in Polish military formations,
– documents confirming deportation or imprisonment by the authorities of the USSR or the Third Reich, in which the Polish nationality of the ancestor is indicated,
It should be mentioned that documents stating that ancestors have Polish citizenship, or belong to the catholic church, are not taken into account unless they have information about the Polish nationality of the ascendants.
An application for a Pole’s Card can be submitted to the appropriate consular office, while citizens of Belarus, Ukraine, and the Russian Federation residing in Poland can also apply to the appropriate voivode.
The Pole’s Card is valid for 10 years and can be applied for renewal 6 months before its expiration. Possession of this document is associated with several administrative simplifications in Poland. The most important is exemption from the need for a work permit. In addition, holders of the Pole’s Card, after legal entry to Poland, can conduct business on the same terms as Polish citizens or a citizen of the European Union, as well as apply for a permanent residence permit in connection with possession of the Pole’s Card. After obtaining a permanent residence permit on the aforementioned basis, it is possible to receive a cash benefit to partially cover the costs of development and maintenance in Poland. In addition, holders of the Pole’s Card have free entry to cultural centers such as museums, relief granted on public transportation, the right to access education and study in Poland, and access to Polish health care in emergencies.
Undoubtedly, having a Pole’s Card comes with many benefits. Therefore, if you are a person who has Polish ancestors and wants to settle on Polish territory, and you feel part of the Polish Nation, it is worth applying for these documents. By obtaining a Pole’s Card, it is easier to apply for a permanent residence permit in Poland. But, in case of doubts, it is worthwhile to approach experts who will help you check your situation and prepare additional necessary documentation (e.g., correctly filling out the application form). At MyVisa, we are here to assist you.
Author: Jakub Stawski.
