Poland has made a significant development step since the 1990s. Now it is a developed European country with a market economy, increasing the standard of living. It is especially popular among migrants from the CIS.
General information
The Republic of Poland is located in Central Europe. Square - 312 679 km², population - 38 645 240 people (for 2021). The capital is Warsaw.
The year 966 is considered to be the date of creation. In 1025 the country became a kingdom, in 1569 it united with the Commonwealth. It was divided between the USSR and Germany during World War II, then became part of the USSR. It gained independence again after the collapse of the Soviet Union. In 2004 she became a member of the European Union.
The state is divided into voivodships (regions), there are 16 of them. Voivodships are composed of counties, and those, in turn, of communes.
In the south lies the Carpathians, there is an outlet to the Baltic Sea in the north. The climate is temperate, gently transitioning from maritime to continental: warm summers, cool winters. average temperature in winter -3 ° C, in summer - + 17-19 ° C... There are unusual rainfalls (brown rain and snow), the weather is changeable.
The economy is industrial, developed. GDP is 31 500 $, the monetary unit is zloty. The transition from socialism to a market economy was successful. Now the country is solving economic problems: the national debt, problems with the adoption of laws on financing health care, education, retirement age.
The food uses elements of Tatar, Slavic and European cuisines. Main courses: cereals, sausages, pies, soups. For dessert, they eat rolls with poppy seeds, mazurkas, gingerbread and donuts. National dishes: zurek, bigos.
The standard of living has been continuously growing since the 90s and higher, in contrast to Russia (in the Legatum Institute's 2021 ranking, Poland takes 34th place, Russia - 61). Average salary - PLN 4,000 (RUB 64,000) at relatively low prices.
Emigration
The emigration process for citizens of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus is easier than for Europeans. The Slavs have a similar mentality, language and culture, so the adaptation process is accelerated.
To emigrate, you need to issue a national visa D... You can get a residence permit using it. It is issued in cases where a Russian (Ukrainian, Belarusian) plans to study or work, live with his spouse in the state.
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Required:
- Completed visa application form;
- Two color photographs 35 × 45 mm;
- International passport + a copy of the page with personal information;
- Passport + copy of pages with Polish and Schengen visas;
- Medical insurance for the amount 30 000 €;
- Financial guarantees (bank statement on the availability of sufficient funds in the account - at least PLN 100 per person);
- Certificate from the place of work (position, work experience, salary);
- Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (invitation to work or study, etc.).
Depending on the purpose of the trip, the authorities may request additional information: permission from the parents (moving of a minor), copies of tickets, etc.
A national visa allows you to stay in the state for 6 months. Then you need to contact the Office for Foreigners in a particular voivodeship in order to obtain a residence permit.
Possible reasons for refusal:
- The applicant is included in the list of persons who are prohibited from entering the Republic;
- The dubious reputation of the employer (kept illegal immigrants as employees, etc.);
- Forgery or false information;
- Incorrect paperwork.
Registration cost - 70 €.
Immigration
Methods of immigration to Poland are presented in the table.
| Pole card | A person with Polish roots can get a Pole Card. For this you need:
The applicant is interviewed, gets permission and can apply for citizenship in a year. For the first 9 months receives social benefits in the amount of 1500 $ for each family member. |
| Employment | A work visa is issued, then a residence permit. Companies cannot take money for employment, except perhaps for visa assistance. |
| For freelancers | Getting into a business incubator and lower taxes. Residence permit is issued for 3 years. A good option for IT professionals. |
| Business immigration | Moving by creating or buying a business. A residence permit is usually issued for a year. |
| Studies | For applicants to Polish universities. The training is cheap, about 1000 € per year... There are universities where they teach in Russian. |
| Family reunification and marriage | For those who are a relative or spouse of a citizen of the Republic. This:
|
| Humanitarian | Providing asylum for refugees. |
| Police School | Colleges for people over 40. You can study in different specialties, often for free. |
Each of the listed types requires its own set of documents. The residence permit must be constantly renewed. It is drawn up at the Consulate within 1-2 months, the cost is 90 €... After 5 years of continuous residence in the country, you can apply for permanent residence.
Required:
- Statement;
- Certificate of registration (renting an apartment or room);
- Proof of continuous residence in the state for 5 years (or Pole's Card);
- Certificate confirming knowledge of the language at the B1 level;
- Financial guarantees (bank statement on the amount and source of income);
- Four color photographs 30 × 40 mm;
- Reasons for obtaining permanent residence.
3 years after receiving permanent residence, you can apply for citizenship.
Employment
The most popular way to immigrate. Brief sequence of actions:
- Finding an employer;
- Obtaining a work permit;
- Opening a work visa;
- Moving, obtaining a residence permit.
The main difficulty is in the first point, because first of all, employers are obliged to accept native citizens, then citizens of the European Union, and only after that - other immigrants.
If the employer provides evidence that there are no other applicants for the position, he applies to the Voivodeship Office. Hardworking employees have the right to sign an employment contract for a year. Registration cost - 110 €.
A residence permit can be obtained through the EU Blue Card, which is issued to highly qualified foreign employees. Documents can be submitted to the Promise of Employment of a Foreigner (Przyrzeczenie zatrudnienia cudzoziemca).
Employers often underestimate the salaries of migrants from the CIS.
Business immigration
Starting your own business is one of the most promising ways of immigration. The whole process takes 2-3 months.
Sequencing:
- Company registration in Krajowym Rejestrze Sągowym (State Register);
- Choice of codes of activity (niches), no more than 10;
- Getting help from KRS about the creation of a company;
- Registration with the Internal Revenue Service (NIP) and the Statistics Department (REGON);
- Obtaining national and Schengen visas;
- Opening a residence permit;
- Annual renewal Residence permit, filing for Permanent residence after 5 years.
Make sure that the following conditions are met:
- Availability of sufficient funds (minimum 5000 PLN);
- The company employs at least two Poles (citizens of the European Union or immigrants who do not need a work permit);
- During the year, the firm should make significant profits.
For investors: it is necessary to confirm that the entrepreneur has a sufficient amount of investments and assets.
You can open a limited liability company or joint stock company if the foreigner does not have any benefits. For those who already have one of the types of permits or a Pole's Card, the choice of the form of the enterprise is not limited. Registration period is 1.5 months.
It is important to remember that a fictitious business faces criminal liability - deportation and travel ban.
Immigration through the acquisition of real estate
The acquisition of real estate does not provide any special privileges or other benefits for a foreigner when it comes to migration.
There are just a few advantages:
- A certificate of rental housing is not required (only confirmation that the applicant has real estate in the country);
- Possibility to register at the address of the purchased property.
Studies
If the applicant is enrolled in one of the Polish universities, he is entitled to receive an entry permit. The training is worth about 1000 €, in stationary departments you can study for free.
Requirements for the applicant (for most universities):
- Complete secondary education;
- Age - at least 18 years old;
- Certificate of proficiency in Polish (if the student does not know the language, he can receive a referral to the relevant courses).
Conditions:
- Availability of an invitation from the university;
- Availability of reserved accommodation (hostel, rented apartment, etc.);
- Financial guarantees (sufficient funds for living and studying expenses).
Residence permit is issued for a year and 3 months and is extended for a maximum of 3 years.
The pluses of education in this state include:
- Lack of entrance exams;
- Low training costs (1200–3000 €) and accommodation (200–500 €).
On the downside - self-preparation is required in studies, and a student can get a job only during the holidays.
Higher education at a Polish university allows you to look for work on an equal footing with your subjects, find a high-paying job, and provides an opportunity to travel around Europe.
Family reunification and marriage
This method can be used by citizens of Poland or those who have a residence permit in it (on the basis of a residence permit or permanent residence) for at least 3 years. They can request a petition to invite their foreign family or spouses to live in the Republic.
This right is possessed by:
- Parents (over 65 years old) who are supported by a child and do not have other children capable of supporting them at home;
- Legal spouses;
- Minor children (relatives or foster children, living with one parent, etc.);
- Adult children, if they are unable to support themselves due to complete disability (for health reasons).
Important! Each of these points must be documented.
The application is considered within six months. Applicants can be invited for an interview, where they will be asked in more detail about the children, biography and other facts.
You need to provide the following package:
- Application form in Polish;
- Color photos 35 × 45 mm;
- A copy of the passport pages with personal information;
- Passport + copy;
- Confirmation of the availability of housing (with sufficient living space for the whole family), its compliance with safety and hygiene standards;
- Certificate of stable income;
- Medical insurance.
Depending on the situation, additional documents may be required, namely:
- A copy of the marriage certificate;
- Copy of birth certificate;
- A copy of the confirmation of the legal adoption of the child;
- Employment contract, bank statement or other confirmation of income stability.
Family members of the applicant receive the rights to education, employment, professional development, etc. on equal terms with the citizens. If the applicant has permanent residence, it is issued to each family member for a period of 2 years.
In the event of a marriage, its authenticity is carefully checked. If the authorities are in doubt, the application is rejected. Upon divorce, all permits are no longer valid.
Humanitarian program
A refugee is a person who is in danger or persecuted in his home country (for political reasons, because of religious beliefs or race, etc.).
This status can be obtained by submitting an application to the chief commandant of the border services addressed to the President of the State Administration for Foreigners.
In the questionnaire, you must indicate:
- Full name of the asylum seeker;
- Date of birth;
- Country of emigration (native);
- Reasons for seeking asylum.
Possible reasons for refusal:
- Incorrect design;
- Reluctance to undergo a medical examination;
- Unwillingness to go through personal identification;
- The country of emigration is on the “safe” list;
- The applicant had previous convictions under the Criminal Code.
If the application is accepted, a personal interview, checks, signing of the protocol is carried out (it must be carefully read, if necessary, amendments).
If a refugee is accepted, he / she receives:
- The opportunity to live in one of the refugee camps;
- Free food;
- Medical service;
- Social benefit.
An appeal, if the application has not been accepted, can be filed within 3 days after the decision.
Life in Poland
Immigrants note significant improvements in the development of the state compared to what it was in the early 00s. The state is increasingly integrating into the EU, and the quality of life is also growing. The degree of comfort depends on the status of the immigrant: upon obtaining citizenship, he has the same rights as the native Poles.
Accommodation is usually rented, the price varies between 600-900 € per month. The agencies are full of vacancies and are interested in attracting foreigners (especially Ukrainians). Construction professions are in demand. Minimal salary - 1750 PLN... The prices are low. The attitude towards immigrants is neutral and positive, despite the stereotypes of nationalism and Russophobia.
Visitors share their experience of life in the Republic and their opinion on whether to leave here.
I was looking for vacancies on the Internet. Employers often did not answer when they heard the accent, because they had already faced negative experiences and unscrupulous Ukrainians. The easier the job, the less pay. At a rate of 10 PLN per hour of free money at the end of the month - approximately 700 PLN. It dawned on me: in Poland they don't eat money to earn money. Physical activity is the hardest, the locals don't like you ... why did you come here? I didn't know what was in store for me. I don't know if it's worth staying here.
Yuri
I'm from Ukraine. We are treated like brothers with understanding. Poles live pretty well, although they themselves complain about the standard of living. But they compare themselves with Germany, while we see that it is better here than in the CIS. The taxes are big. The medicine is of high quality, the care in the hospital is good. It is difficult to find a job for an immigrant, a good education is not enough, you need to be hardworking and be able to present yourself well.
Olga
Poland is indeed better than Ukraine or Belarus, but it should be borne in mind that the gap in living standards is not so significant. Before moving, it is better to think over everything once again and decide for what purposes, and whether this particular country is really desirable.
