How do I apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland online through MOS?

Checked on 2026-10-25

Since 27 April 2026 you apply for a Polish temporary residence permit online in the MOS system, signing with a trusted profile or qualified e-signature. An application filed any other way is not examined. You upload a photo and all passport pages, then the voivode calls you in person to give fingerprints and a signature sample.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
Where to apply	Electronically through MOS, on the form available in MOS	Act on Foreigners, art. 106c(1)
Paper or other filing	Left unexamined (except permits under arts. 106k(1) and 106l(1))	Act on Foreigners, art. 106c(5)
Applies from	27 April 2026	MSWiA notice, M.P. 2026 poz. 370
How to sign	Qualified electronic signature or trusted signature (podpis zaufany); for a minor, a parent or guardian signs	Act on Foreigners, art. 106d(3)
What to attach	Annexes required for your purpose of stay, a current photo, a digital copy of all pages of a valid travel document	Act on Foreigners, art. 106d(1)
When it counts as filed	Signed as required and you received the official acknowledgement of receipt (UPO)	Act on Foreigners, art. 106d(5)–(6)
In-person visit	Summons with at least 7 days’ notice to show your travel document, give fingerprints and a signature sample	Act on Foreigners, art. 106e(1)
Missing the visit	The voivode discontinues the case	Act on Foreigners, art. 106i(1)

Filing in MOS

The Act on Foreigners now requires the temporary residence application to be filed electronically through MOS (Moduł Obsługi Spraw), the Office for Foreigners’ case system (art. 106c). The Minister of the Interior’s notice of 10 April 2026 set 27 April 2026 as the day these provisions apply. An application filed another way is left unexamined.

You attach the annexes required for your purpose of stay, a current photo and a digital copy of every page of your valid passport (art. 106d(1)). If your employer, university or another host must fill in an annex, MOS sends them a link by email (art. 106c(3)). You may also upload documents that support your application (art. 106d(2)).

You sign with a qualified electronic signature or a trusted signature (art. 106d(3)). The application counts as filed only once it is signed this way and you have the official acknowledgement of receipt that MOS generates (art. 106d(5)–(6)). The MOS FAQ says you fill in, sign and send the application yourself and a proxy cannot do these steps for you; for a minor, a parent or guardian files.

The law says the voivode provides help with filing (art. 106d(7)).

The in-person appointment

During the case, the voivode summons you to the voivodeship office, with at least 7 days’ notice, to show your travel document and give fingerprints and a signature sample (art. 106e(1)). If you do not come despite a proper summons, or do not give fingerprints or a signature at the visit, the voivode discontinues the case (art. 106i).

The law makes exceptions: no fingerprints from children under 6, no signature sample from children under 13, and no summons for children under 6 or for people who cannot come because of illness or disability, confirmed by a specialist doctor’s certificate issued no earlier than 3 months before the application (arts. 106b, 106h).

Deadline: file no later than the last day of your legal stay in Poland (art. 105(1)).
Fees and their amounts: see poland-residence-permit-fee-stamp-duty-and-card.

Sources

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2026-10-25: Page created

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