Temporary residence permit due to other circumstances (stay of a clergyman, a member of the Order or a person performing a religious function in a church or religious association)

Introduction

Foreigners who are clergy, members of religious orders or persons performing religious functions in a church or religious association, whose status is regulated by an international agreement, the Regulations of law in force in Poland or which operates on the basis of an entry in the register of churches and other religious associations, may extend their legal stay in Poland by obtaining a temporary residence permit due to other circumstances.

This permit is a type of temporary residence permit, i.e., a permit entitling third-country nationals (i.e., foreigners who do not have the citizenship of an EU Member State, Norway, Liechtenstein, Iceland, or Switzerland) and stateless persons to stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland for a certain period.

This permit may be granted to the above-mentioned foreigners when their stay in Poland is related to their function or preparation for its performance, and this circumstance justifies a stay longer than 3 months. It is also necessary for them to meet additional requirements regarding the possession of health insurance and having a guaranteed place of residence in Poland.

A temporary residence permit due to other circumstances is granted in the form of an administrative decision by the voivode, competent for the place of residence of the foreigner, and in the case of appeal proceedings – by the Head of the Office for Foreigners. The permit is granted for a minimum period of 3 months, but not longer than for 3 years.

The permit does not renew automatically – if you intend to continue your stay in Poland for the same purpose, it is necessary to apply for this permit again.

The granting of that permit does not require proof, as in the case of most temporary residence permits, that the foreign national to whom the permit relates has the means of subsistence.

Remember!

• Before applying for this permission, be sure to check whether the status of a church or religious association entitles you to apply for this permit.

• Information on the relations of the Polish state with churches and religious associations can be found, m.in, on the website access to the current register of churches and religious associations kept by the minister responsible for internal affairs is possible HERE.