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Can I Change My Job on a TRC in Poland? The 2026 Guide
The 15 and 30-day deadlines, how to notify the Urząd, whether you can work while waiting — and the costly mistakes to avoid.
Is Your TRC Tied to Your Employer?
One of the most common misconceptions is that you can read your employment rights from the residence card itself. Many cards contain the remark "Dostęp do rynku pracy" (Access to the Labour Market) — but this wording alone does not determine whether your permit is tied to a specific employer.
The 15 and 30-Day Deadlines: How They Work
If your TRC is tied to a specific employer and your employment contract ends (dismissal, redundancy, or resignation) — two deadlines begin running simultaneously from the date of termination:
You have 15 days from the date of contract termination to formally notify the Urząd Wojewódzki that you have lost your job. This is not optional — failure to notify is a violation of the conditions of your residence permit.
You have 30 days from the same start date (not 15+30) to find a new employer and submit a complete new application package. Both clocks run simultaneously from day one.
Step 1: How to Notify the Urząd About Job Loss
Within 15 days, send a formal Zawiadomienie o utracie pracy (Notification of job loss) to the Urząd Wojewódzki that issued your TRC.
- Your full name, date of birth, and passport number
- Your case number (numer sprawy) and TRC card number
- The name and address of your former employer
- The date on which your employment ended
- A factual statement that you are notifying the office in accordance with the Act on Foreigners
- Resignation letter signed by your previous employer stating the exact last working day
Step 2: New TRC Application or Amendment?
Within 30 days, you must either secure new employment and submit documentation, or apply for an amendment to your existing decision.
Available when your circumstances have changed but the basis for stay remains the same — you are still working in Poland, just with a different employer. If your TRC has significant validity remaining, an amendment may be faster and simpler than a full new application.
Typically required when your current card is close to expiry, the nature of employment has changed significantly, or your voivodeship does not process amendments and requires a new wniosek regardless.
Documents for the new application / amendment
- ☑ Completed application form with updated employer details
- ☑ New employment contract or employer's statement
- ☑ Załącznik nr 1 (Annex 1) completed by the new employer
- ☑ Proof of accommodation
- ☑ Proof of income meeting the minimum salary threshold
- ☑ Passport copy and photographs
Can I Work While Waiting for the New TRC?
This is where many migrants make a serious mistake. The answer is: not automatically.
Submitting an application for a new TRC or amendment does not, by itself, grant you the right to begin working for the new employer. Your legal stay in Poland continues during processing — but your work authorisation is a separate matter.
A simplified work permit registered by the employer at the local Powiatowy Urząd Pracy (PUP). For eligible nationalities and job types, it can be processed relatively quickly and allows you to start working while your TRC application is pending.
A full work permit issued by the Urząd Wojewódzki. Takes longer but may be required depending on your nationality, the employer's situation, or the nature of the role.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Missing the 15-day notification is a violation of your TRC conditions and gives the Urząd Wojewódzki grounds to cancel your residence permit. In practice, the office may not act on a short delay if you subsequently comply and submit new employment documentation within the 30-day window — but there is no guarantee.
If you have already missed the 15-day window, do not wait further. Submit the Zawiadomienie as soon as possible with a brief explanatory note, and simultaneously accelerate your search for new employment. Consider consulting an immigration specialist if the deadlines have passed.
If your TRC is formally cancelled — either because you failed to meet the deadlines or because a new card has been issued — you are legally required to return the physical card to the Urząd Wojewódzki. Continuing to present a cancelled card as proof of legal status is a serious offence.
If your situation is resolved through an amendment rather than cancellation and reissue, the office will advise whether the existing card remains valid or must be surrendered. Always follow the instructions in the written decision you receive.
