Uzbek citizens who wish to work in Poland for a short period must obtain a Type D National Work Visa or a Schengen Visa (Type C) for work purposes. They cannot work in Poland without a valid visa, even if they have a job offer.

Poland offers simplified work permit procedures for short-term employment, particularly for seasonal and temporary jobs. These rules make it easier for visa-required nationals to gain legal employment while experiencing the Polish job market.

How citizens from Uzbekistan can work short-term work in Poland

1️⃣ Find a job and secure an official job offer 🏢

Before applying for a visa, foreign workers must first secure a job offer from a Polish employer who is willing to legally hire them.

✔️ The employer must offer a signed employment contract (umowa o pracę or umowa zlecenie).

✔️ The job must meet Polish labor standards, including minimum wage and working conditions.

✔️ The employer must apply for a work permit or employer’s declaration before the worker applies for a visa.

2️⃣ Employer applies for a work permit or employer’s declaration 📄

To hire a foreign worker, the employer must apply for one of the following documents:

✔️ Work Permit (Zezwolenie na pracę – Type A, B, or C) – Required for non-EU citizens working under an official contract.

✔️ Employer’s Declaration (Oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy cudzoziemcowi) – A simplified document allowing work for up to 180 days within a 12-month period, mainly for workers from certain non-EU countries.

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

🔹 Processing time:

• Employer’s Declaration: 7–10 days

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

• Seasonal Work Permit: 2–3 weeks.

🔹 Required employer information:

• Worker’s personal details (passport data).

• Job position, salary, and work duration.

• Employer’s business registration details.

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

3️⃣ Apply for a short-term work visa for Uzbek citizens (Type D or Type C) 🛂

Once the employer obtains the work permit or declaration, the worker must apply for a Polish work visa at the Polish embassy or consulate in their home country.

✔️ Type D National Work Visa – Issued for work lasting more than 90 days (up to 1 year).

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

🔹 Required documents for a Polish work visa for Uzbek citizens:

• Completed visa application form

• Valid passport (with at least 2 blank pages)

• Official job offer or work permit

• Employer’s declaration (if applicable)

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

• Health insurance (valid for the duration of stay)

• Financial proof (bank statements, salary confirmation)

• Recent biometric photos

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

✔️ Visa validity: Depends on the job contract but typically lasts 3–12 months.

4️⃣ Enter Poland and begin working ✈️

Once the visa is granted, the worker can travel to Poland and begin their employment under the conditions specified in their contract.

✔️ The employer must officially register the worker’s start date with Polish authorities.

✔️ Workers must follow Polish labor laws, including working hours and salary payments.

✔️ Health insurance registration (ZUS) is required for social security and medical coverage.

🔹 Important rules to follow:

• Workers cannot exceed the work visa duration without renewal.

• Changing employers requires a new work permit and visa application.

• After visa expiration, workers must leave Poland unless they apply for a residence permit.

📌 Key benefits & considerations for short-term work in Poland for citizens from Uzbekistan

✅ Legal employment with social benefits – Workers are protected under Polish labor laws.

✅ Opportunity to gain work experience in Poland’s job market.

✅ Possibility to transition to long-term employment if the employer wishes to extend the contract.

✅ Visa allows travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in 180 days.

Uzbek citizens who plan 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 if they continue employment. Unlike short-term work permits, a long-term work permit provides stability and opens opportunities for future residence and career development in Poland.

How citizens from Uzbekistan can work long-term work in Poland

1️⃣ Secure a long-term job offer in Poland 🏢

The first step is finding an employer in Poland who is willing to offer a long-term employment contract. The contract must meet the following conditions:

✔️ The job must offer a salary that meets at least the minimum wage set by Polish law.

✔️ The work must be legal and full-time.

✔️ The employer must be registered and 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 (Type A, B, C, D, or E depending on the type of work) at the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki).

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

✔️ The permit is linked to a specific employer and job position – if the foreigner wants to change jobs, they must get a new permit.

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

3️⃣ Apply for a national work visa (Type D) 🛂

Once the work permit is approved, the foreign worker must apply for a Type D national work visa at a Polish consulate in their home country. This visa allows entry into Poland for employment purposes.

🔹 Required documents for visa application:

• Valid passport (with at least 6 months validity)

• Work permit issued by the Polish government

• Signed job contract

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

• Financial proof (showing the applicant has sufficient funds)

• Health insurance

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

Once the visa is approved, the applicant can travel to Poland and start working.

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

Since a national work visa is usually issued for 1 year, the worker must apply for a Temporary Residence and Work Permit (Karta Pobytu) before the visa expires if they plan to stay longer. This is done at the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) in Poland.

🔹 Required documents for residence permit application:

• Completed application form

• Employment contract (long-term)

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

• Accommodation proof (rental agreement or employer-provided housing)

• Health insurance coverage

• Confirmation from the employer stating continued employment

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

✔️ What happens while waiting for approval?

If the application is submitted before the current visa expires, the worker can legally stay in Poland and continue working until the decision is made.

5️⃣ Receive Temporary Residence Card (Karta Pobytu) 📬

Once the permit is approved, the foreign worker will receive a Temporary Residence Card, allowing them to legally stay and work in Poland for up to 3 years.

✔️ The residence card is valid only for one employer. If the worker changes jobs, they must apply for a new permit.

✔️ The card also allows visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days in 180 days.

Additional tips for foreign workers in Poland for Uzbeks

✔️ Learn basic Polish – While many jobs do not require Polish fluency, learning the basics can help with daily life.

✔️ Stay updated on immigration laws – Work permit and visa policies may change, so always check for updates.

✔️ Keep all documents valid – Ensure work permits, residence cards, and health insurance are up to date.

✔️ Consider professional development – Some industries offer free training programs for foreign workers, improving career opportunities.

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.