Poland has launched a new online portal that allows foreign nationals to submit applications for residence permits and for the CUKR card electronically. The change moves two of the country's most heavily used immigration procedures off the paper-only track and into a digital workflow, reducing the need for applicants to queue in person at provincial offices just to lodge a file.

What changed

Under the new system, applicants can complete and submit both residence permit applications and CUKR card applications through the online portal. The launch covers the application stage of both procedures: the moment when a foreign national formally asks the Polish authorities for a document confirming the right to stay in the country.

The CUKR card is the residence document issued to Ukrainian citizens who hold UKR temporary protection status in Poland, a status introduced in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Holders of UKR status have had to interact with Polish authorities repeatedly to obtain and renew their documents, and the new portal is intended to make that process simpler.

Residence permit applications cover a broader group: foreign nationals seeking temporary residence permits for purposes such as work, family reunification, or study.

Who is affected

Two groups benefit directly from the launch:

• Foreign nationals applying for Polish residence permits, who previously had to file paper applications in person.
• Ukrainian citizens with UKR temporary protection status who need to apply for or renew a CUKR card.

For both groups, the change affects the filing step of the procedure rather than the underlying eligibility rules. The portal does not alter who qualifies for a residence permit or for UKR status; it changes how and where the application is submitted.

Why it matters

Poland's immigration offices have faced long queues and heavy backlogs, particularly in voivodeship offices in Warsaw and other major cities, where appointments to file a residence application have historically been scarce. Ukrainians under temporary protection add significant volume to the system, as Poland hosts one of the largest displaced populations from Ukraine in Europe.

Moving application intake online relieves pressure on in-person service points and gives applicants a way to file without travelling to an office during working hours. Digital filing also creates an electronic record of the submission from day one.

What to keep in mind

The announcement covers the launch of the portal itself. Applicants should confirm on official Polish government channels the exact scope of the system before relying on it — including which application types the portal accepts in full, whether biometric steps still require an in-person visit, and which supporting documents must be uploaded in electronic form.

In most Polish procedures, fingerprints remain a requirement for residence cards, so an office visit may still be part of the process even after an online filing. Deadlines for submitting renewals, and the consequences of filing late, are unchanged by the channel used to submit.

How to proceed

Foreign nationals and UKR status holders who need to apply for a Polish residence document should check the official Polish government portal for the new online system, verify that their application type is supported, and prepare scanned copies of the required supporting documents before starting the submission.

Applicants with complex cases — for example, those with gaps in legal stay, pending proceedings, or questions about which permit type fits their situation — may wish to consult a licensed immigration adviser. This article describes a procedural change and does not constitute individual legal advice. The authoritative details of the portal's scope and requirements are set by the Polish authorities, and the official government announcements govern in case of any discrepancy.