Skip to content 
How to Apply for a TRC (Temporary Residence Card) in Poland: Complete Guide 2026
A universal step-by-step walkthrough — documents, fees, appointments, fingerprints and processing times, regardless of your grounds for staying.
What is a TRC (Temporary Residence Card) in Poland?
A TRC is a plastic identification card that serves as proof of your legal temporary residence permit in Poland. It confirms your identity and allows you to cross the Polish border and travel within the Schengen zone (for up to 90 days in a 180-day period) without a visa.
Unlike a visa — issued by a consulate abroad — a TRC is issued by the local Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) where you live.
Common Grounds for Obtaining a Polish TRC
To apply, you must have a specific "purpose of stay." The most common categories in 2026:
Working for a Polish company — requires a valid work contract meeting salary requirements.
Full-time students at universities or students of language schools.
Spouses or children of Polish citizens or foreigners with resident status.
Running your own company — JDG (sole trader) or Spółka z o.o. (limited liability company).
How to Apply for a TRC: Step-by-Step Process
Regardless of your grounds, everyone must prepare a universal set of documents:
- ☑ Passport: original for inspection + copies of all pages with stamps, visas, or entries
- ☑ Photographs: digital, size 684×883 px
- ☑ Health insurance: ZUS contributions proof or private insurance (min. €30,000 coverage)
- ☑ Residence confirmation: rental agreement (umowa najmu) or proof of home ownership
- ☑ Proof of fee payment: 340 / 440 / 640 PLN depending on application type
- ☑ Profil Zaufany or Polish bank account — required to sign documents digitally in MOS 2.0
- ☑ Employer / University email address: the Migration Office will verify your application via this email. If the employer or university fails to complete verification within 30 days, the case will be closed without consideration
In 2026, the wniosek must be submitted via MOS 2.0 (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl). You fill in the form online and sign it with your Profil Zaufany (Trustable Profile). The system guides you through each section and highlights any missing information in real-time.
With MOS 2.0, you do not book an appointment yourself. Instead, you wait for an official letter called "Wezwanie" — it will contain the exact date and time of your visit to the Immigration Office, along with the list of documents you must bring.
On the day of your appointment, visit the Urząd Wojewódzki. The clerk will check your original documents, take your fingerprints (biometrics), and formally confirm your submission. Only after this stage can your case be assigned to an inspector for substantive review.
After your fingerprints are taken, you receive a dated confirmation (previously the red stamp — pieczątka — in your passport; now a document confirming biometrics were collected). This confirms you are in the legalization process. Important: this confirmation does not allow you to travel to other Schengen countries or re-enter Poland if you leave.
Official Fees and Costs for a TRC in 2026
| Application Type | Stamp Duty | Plastic Card Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Work or Blue Card | 440 PLN | 100 PLN |
| Study, Business or Family | 340 PLN | 100 PLN |
| Kids under 16 / Full-time students | 340 PLN | 50 PLN |
Processing Times
Although the law sets an official timeframe, in practice waiting periods vary significantly depending on the region, the workload of the immigration office, and the complexity of the case. Factors such as additional document requests, background checks, and the workload of the assigned inspector can all affect the overall timeline.
Typically 6–10 months due to high volume of applications.
Decisions can be issued in as few as 4 months in less busy voivodeships.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
No. Starting with MOS 2.0, the Immigration Office no longer accepts applications sent by post. All applications must be submitted electronically via the MOS 2.0 portal.
Most offices provide an online tracking portal — such as inPOL in Warsaw or the MOS tracker. You will receive a case number and an access code after your fingerprints are scanned at the Urząd.
You can travel, but the confirmation of submission does not allow you to re-enter Poland or travel within the Schengen zone. To return to Poland after travelling abroad, you must have a valid visa, TRC, or unexpired visa-free days.
