Extension of stay for Ukrainian citizens without Ukr status

Extension of the legal stay in Poland UPD. 01.07.2024. The stay has been extended until 30.09.2025. On July 1, 2024, amendments to the Special Act came into force, extending the stay of Ukrainian refugees until September 30, 2024. This article has been updated to take into account the changes that have occurred.

What is the stay for persons with UKR Status?

Let’s immediately separate the category of refugees who have already obtained UKR Status (received a special PESEL). In accordance with ust.1 and 2, art.2 Spec Ustawy, persons who have obtained this status receive legal stay until 30.09.2025. Once again – regardless of the date of entry, the date of obtaining UKR Status and other parameters, legal stay in the country until September 30, 2025. A child born in Poland during the period of validity of the UKR Status of the mother receives legal residence for the period of legal stay of his mother.

How long can you stay on visas and under a visa-free regime?

In this category, much depends not only on the type of grounds, but also on the country that issued it, and on other parameters: National visas issued by Poland, whose validity expires after 24.02.2022, in the presence of a foreigner in the Republic of Poland, are extended until 30.09.2025. Under the visa-free regime, Schengen visas, visas of other types issued by other countries of the Schengen Agreement, as well as under the temporary residence permit of such countries, provided that they are planned to expire after 24.02.2022, and at the beginning of the actual stay in the Republic of Poland before this date, you can also stay until 30.09.2025. The issue with staying on a visa-free basis, Schengen visas or residence permits and visas issued by other countries, after the adoption of the amendments, the situation is the same – stay until 30.09.2025. It is separately emphasized that a foreigner does not need to take any actions to extend the grounds. Just as there is no need to get a new visa or make any marks in the passport or other documents. The exception is international drivers.