Sri Lankan citizens planning to work in Poland for a short period must first obtain a valid work visa before starting employment. Depending on the job duration, they can apply for a Type D National Work Visa (for jobs lasting over 90 days) or a Type C Schengen Visa (for work up to 90 days). Working in Poland without a visa is not allowed, even with an official job offer.

To make employment easier for short-term workers, Poland has implemented simplified procedures, particularly for seasonal and temporary jobs. These policies help visa-required nationals legally enter the Polish job market while gaining valuable international experience.

Steps for Sri Lankans to get short-term work in Poland

1️⃣ Secure a job offer from a Polish employer 🏢

Before applying for a visa, Sri Lankan citizens must find an employer who is willing to hire them legally under a short-term contract.

✔️ The employer must provide a signed employment contract (umowa o pracę for standard jobs or umowa zlecenie for temporary work).

✔️ The job must comply with Polish labor laws, including salary and working conditions.

✔️ The employer must apply for a work permit or an employer’s declaration before the worker can proceed with the visa application.

2️⃣ Employer applies for work authorization 📄

To hire a foreign worker, the Polish employer must obtain an official work authorization document, which can be one of the following:

✔️ Work Permit (Zezwolenie na pracę – Type A, B, C) – Required for non-EU workers employed under a longer contract.

✔️ Employer’s Declaration (Oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy cudzoziemcowi) – A simplified process allowing workers to be legally employed for up to 180 days within 12 months.

✔️ Seasonal Work Permit (Zezwolenie na pracę sezonową) – Designed for workers in agriculture, tourism, and hospitality, valid for up to 9 months per year.

🔹 Processing times for work authorization:

• Employer’s Declaration: 7–10 days

• Work Permit (Type A, B, C): 1–2 months

• Seasonal Work Permit: 2–3 weeks.

🔹 Employer must provide:

• Worker’s passport details.

• Job position, salary, and duration.

• Business registration information.

• Proof that the worker will be legally employed in Poland.

3️⃣ Apply for a Polish work visa (Type D or Type C) 🛂

Once the employer’s application is approved, the worker must apply for a work visa at a Polish consulate or embassy in their home country.

✔️ Type D National Work Visa – Suitable for jobs lasting over 90 days, usually issued for up to 1 year.

✔️ Type C Schengen Work Visa – Allows short-term work for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

🔹 Documents needed for a Polish work visa:

• Visa application form (fully completed and signed).

• Valid passport (must have at least two blank pages).

• Work contract or work permit from the employer.

• Employer’s declaration (if applicable).

• Proof of accommodation in Poland.

• Health insurance covering the entire stay.

• Proof of financial stability (bank statements or salary confirmation).

• Recent biometric passport photos.

✔️ Processing time: 15–30 days, depending on the embassy.

✔️ Visa duration: 3–12 months, depending on the job contract.

4️⃣ Arrive in Poland and begin working legally ✈️

Once the visa is approved, the worker can enter Poland and begin employment as outlined in their contract.

✔️ The employer must officially register the worker with the Polish authorities.

✔️ The worker must follow Polish labor laws, including salary conditions and social security regulations.

✔️ Health insurance (ZUS) registration is mandatory for access to medical care and social benefits.

🔹 Key legal obligations:

✔️ Workers must not exceed the visa validity period.

✔️ If changing employers, a new work permit and visa update are required.

✔️ After the visa expires, workers must either leave Poland or apply for a residence permit if they plan to stay longer.

📌 Why short-term work in Poland is a good opportunity for Sri Lankans

✅ Legal employment with social protections – Workers have access to minimum wage laws, contracts, and social benefits.

✅ Gain international work experience – Polish employment can strengthen career opportunities.

✅ Potential for long-term employment – Many short-term workers extend contracts and transition to permanent jobs.

✅ Travel benefits – A work visa allows Schengen travel for up to 90 days within 180 days.

Sri Lankan citizens planning to work in Poland for an extended period must obtain a Temporary Residence and Work Permit (Karta Pobytu Czasowego). This permit allows them to legally stay and work in Poland for up to 3 years and can be renewed as long as they remain employed. Compared to short-term work permits, this option provides greater job security, stability, and opportunities for long-term residence in Poland.

Step-by-step guide for citizens from Sri Lanka to work long-term in Poland

1️⃣ Secure a long-term job offer 🏢

The first step is finding a Polish employer who is willing to offer a long-term job contract. The contract must meet certain conditions:

✔️ The salary must be at least the minimum wage set by Polish law.

✔️ The employment must be full-time and legally registered.

✔️ The employer must be authorized to hire foreign workers.

2️⃣ Employer applies for a Work Permit (Zezwolenie na Pracę) 📄

Once a job offer is secured, the employer must apply for a Work Permit at the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki). The type of permit (A, B, C, D, or E) depends on the nature of employment.

✔️ Processing time: Typically 4-8 weeks, depending on the Voivodeship Office.

✔️ The permit is linked to the specific employer—if the worker changes jobs, they must obtain a new permit.

✔️ The employer must prove that the job position cannot be filled by a Polish or EU citizen.

3️⃣ Apply for a Type D national work visa 🛂

After obtaining the Work Permit, the worker must apply for a Type D national work visa at the Polish consulate in their home country. This visa allows them to enter Poland for employment purposes.

🔹 Required documents for the visa application:

• Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity).

• Work Permit issued by Polish authorities.

• Signed employment contract.

• Proof of accommodation (rental agreement, employer-provided housing, etc.).

• Financial proof (to demonstrate sufficient funds).

• Health insurance coverage.

✔️ Processing time: Usually 2-6 weeks, depending on the consulate.

✔️ Once the visa is issued, the worker can enter Poland and start working.

4️⃣ Apply for a Temporary Residence and Work Permit (Karta Pobytu) 🏠

Since Type D visas are usually valid for only 1 year, workers planning to stay longer must apply for a Temporary Residence and Work Permit (Karta Pobytu Czasowego) before their visa expires. This is done at the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki).

🔹 Required documents for the residence permit application:

• Completed application form.

• Valid employment contract.

• Proof of stable income (salary above the legal minimum).

• Accommodation proof (rental contract or employer-provided housing).

• Health insurance policy.

• Employer confirmation of continued employment.

✔️ Processing time: Typically 2-6 months, depending on the Voivodeship Office.

✔️ Legal stay during processing: If the worker applies before their visa expires, they can legally remain in Poland and continue working until the decision is made.

5️⃣ Receive the Temporary Residence Card (Karta Pobytu) 📬

Once the application is approved, the worker receives a Temporary Residence Card, which allows them to legally stay and work in Poland for up to 3 years.

✔️ Employer-specific: The residence card is linked to the employer, meaning if the worker changes jobs, they must obtain a new permit.

✔️ Schengen travel benefits: The card allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Important tips for Sri Lankans working in Poland

✔️ Learning Polish is beneficial – While not always required, basic Polish skills can make daily life and work interactions easier.

✔️ Stay updated on work and visa regulations – Immigration laws may change, so it's essential to check for updates regularly.

✔️ Keep all permits and documents valid – Work permits, residence cards, and health insurance must be up to date to avoid legal issues.

✔️ Explore career growth opportunities – Some industries in Poland offer training programs to help foreign workers advance in their careers.

A temporary residence permit for seasonal work may be granted to a foreigner if the purpose of his/her stay is to work on the basis of a seasonal work permit. 

A temporary residence permit for seasonal work may be granted to a foreigner who:

• Entered the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a visa issued in connection with seasonal work or under the visa-free regime, in connection with an application for a seasonal work permit entered in the register of applications;
• Holds a seasonal work permit or an extension of a seasonal work permit valid for a period exceeding the period of stay specified in the visa or the period of stay allowed under the visa-free regime;
• Has a source of stable and regular income;
• Has a source of stable and regular income;
• Has health insurance;
• Has a guaranteed place of residence in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

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In order to obtain the permit, a foreigner must apply to the Voivodeship Office at the place of residence.

It should be added that a temporary residence permit for seasonal work is granted for a period not exceeding 9 months from the date of the first entry for the purpose of performing seasonal work.  

Please note that a temporary residence permit for seasonal work is granted even if the circumstances of the application for such a permit do not require the foreigner to stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland for more than 3 months.

Compared to other temporary residence permits issued in connection with employment, the fee for issuing this type of permit is lower and amounts to PLN 170.

Please note that work on the basis of consecration (oświadczenia) is no longer available for Russian citizens. At the same time, Russians who worked legally before the introduction of the amendments may do so, but only until the expiry of the permit (zezwolenia) or consecration (oświadczenia).

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Who can work in Poland without a work permit?

The following foreigners can work in Poland without a work permit

• have been granted refugee status in Poland;
• have been granted subsidiary protection in Poland;
• obtained a residence permit in Poland
• obtained a conditional residence permit in Poland;
• citizens of EU member states or EEA states (European Economic Area, in Polish EOG), or family members of such citizens;
• victims of human trafficking, if the relevant conditions are met - more information on this topic can be found here.
• have been granted a fixed-term residence permit in Poland on the basis of marriage to a Polish citizen or a foreigner who has been granted refugee status, subsidiary protection, a settlement permit, a long-term EU resident's permit, a conditional residence permit and temporary protection in Poland;
• hold a valid Pole's Card 
• studying, participating in professional internships, performing functions in programs implemented within the framework of EU activities or other international assistance programs;
• who are teachers of foreign languages;
• who work up to 30 days during a calendar year as researchers or creators;
• full-time students at universities in Poland who study in Poland on the basis of a residence permit issued for the purpose of studying for a whole year.

Note: For more detailed information, please contact the Voivodeship Office.

Employment contract: A written employment contract is mandatory for employees. The contract should contain information on working conditions, salary, work schedule, contract duration, and other details.

Working hours: Total working hours in Poland should not exceed 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week for a full working Sunday. Extended working Sunday may be up to 48 hours per week, but in this case, the employee must be compensated in the form of overtime pay.

Vacations: According to Polish law, employees are entitled to an annual paid vacation of at least 20 working days. In addition, there are special types of leave, such as parental leave, sick leave, and others, which are also paid.

Salary: Starting from January 01, 2024, the minimum wage in Poland was revised. The minimum wage is PLN4,242.00 per month.

Poland allows you to choose between different types of business structures. The list below describes the main characteristics of the main types of companies in Poland: 

• Limited Liability Company: Also known as Sp. z.o.o., this is a business form suitable for small and medium-sized businesses, where the founders are liable only to the extent of the capital invested in the company.
• Joint Stock Company: A SA is also a limited liability company; investors are liable only to the extent of the capital invested, but a public joint stock company can also be listed on a stock exchange.
• Partnerships: These come in several forms, such as limited and general partnerships. The founders have different degrees of responsibility.
• Sole proprietorship: the simplest form of business and also the one with the highest degree of responsibility for the founder.

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The process of registering a company in Poland is simple. Each company will have to register and obtain a special identification number REGON and NIP, as well as register as a VAT payer, depending on the activities it carries out.

Below are the main steps to start a business in Poland:

1. Choose the type of company: as mentioned above, investors can choose between several business forms and this will affect the overall process of setting up a company.
2. Decide when the business will start: the company registration application will indicate the start date; make sure you have enough funds to start the business.
3. Choose a company name: each company must have a unique name that is suitable for marketing purposes and also meets local requirements; the name must be unique.
4. Select PKD codes: these are codes that will indicate the type of business activity that the new legal entity will carry out.
5. Prepare for incorporation: one of our lawyers in Poland can help you collect and prepare all the documents required for company registration.
6. Open a bank account: in some cases, investors can open a bank account before the company is registered; in other cases, the business must be registered before this step.
7. Apply for VAT and social security registration: these are the two main steps that must be completed after business registration; after registration, the company is automatically registered with the social security institution. 
8. Obtain a business license: this step is only necessary in some cases, for those businesses that operate on the basis of special permits and licenses, such as those that sell alcoholic beverages. 

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Not all businesses need to be registered. Small enterprises with annual revenues not exceeding a certain amount (usually half of the annual minimum wage) can operate as unregistered enterprises that do not have to report. In addition, trading companies will need to obtain an EORI number in Poland, and our lawyers can assist businessmen in this matter.

Notary fees depend on the authorized capital of your LLC - the larger the authorized capital, the higher the fee. For the authorized capital of 5,000 PLN, the fee is 160 PLN. If the capital is PLN 2,000,000, the cost will be around PLN 6,800.

The fee for making an entry in the NCR is set at PLN 500 per entry. The fee for entry in the CCP is an additional fee of PLN 100.

You will also need to pay a tax on civil law transactions. The amount of tax is equal to the authorized capital (minus notary fees and fees for making entries in the NCR and CCM) multiplied by 0.5%. For example, if the authorized capital is PLN 5,000, the tax will be about PLN 20. If the capital is PLN 100,000, the tax will be about PLN 500.

More details are available here: https://www.biznes.gov.pl/en/firma/doing-business-in-poland

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Poland.Business Harbor is a program that allows IT professionals, startups and other companies from Belarus, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Moldova to move to the territory of the Republic of Poland without hindrance. Thanks to the programs, you can, for example, learn how to start a business in Poland quickly and efficiently and get help with visa application. Holders of visas marked with the Poland.Business Harbor mark can perform work in Poland without a work permit. 

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Documents required to apply for a Poland.Business Harbor visa

1. application for a national visa - completed and signed,

2. up-to-date biometric photos,

3. passport - issued within the last 10 years, with at least two free pages for visas,

4. health insurance for the duration of the visa (minimum insurance amount is 30 thousand euros),

5. documentation confirming the purpose of the trip:

• for freelancers - a document confirming technical education or at least one year of experience in the field of IT,
• for startup founders - a document confirming enrollment in the program by the Startup Hub Poland Foundation,
• if you own a small/medium/large company - a document confirming enrollment in the program by the Polish Investment and Trade Agency.

More information about the program can be found here: https://www.gov.pl/web/poland-businessharbour-en, https://www.gov.pl/web/poland-businessharbour-en/startup

1. You can find a job in Poland on your own using the data from the Central Database of Job Offers. You can also search for job offers using a special mobile application ePraca (Android and iOS). About 70 thousand job vacancies are available in the database every day.
2. You can also take advantage of free assistance from a powiat employment office (340 units) or a voivodeship (regional) employment office (16 units), which includes support in job search, primarily through mediation and career counseling. A list of employment bureau contacts can be found here.
3. On Facebook, hundreds of vacancies are posted in groups dedicated to foreigners or people with knowledge of foreign languages. You can try looking for a job on the websites Language job, praca z językami obcymi (polska), Language jobs Poland, Language jobs in Kraków, Language jobs in Wrocław, or even in local groups for foreigners, such as Krakow expats or Expats in Warsaw. Last but not least, try using LinkedIn to find your potential employer. This huge professional social network is a resource for making contacts in the field and location you are interested in. Employers often use online searches to vet potential employees.