In an effort to reduce application backlogs before the 1 October fee increase for residence-permit services, Poland’s Office for Foreigners opened its Warsaw headquarters to walk-in clients on Saturday, 26 September, from 09:00 to 15:00. The event—part of the EU-funded project “In Direct Contact” (FAMI 2021-2027)—allowed third-country nationals to review case files, submit additional documents and collect residence cards without the usual weekday appointment constraints. Over 600 foreigners, predominantly from Ukraine, India and Belarus, attended, according to preliminary figures shared by staff volunteers. Lawyers specialising in corporate immigration say the extended hours are welcome, as remote-work visas introduced in April have driven a 28 % surge in combined temporary-residence and work-permit filings in Mazovia. The Saturday opening gave employers a chance to fast-track critical assignees whose biometric appointments were otherwise pushed into November. Attendees also received briefings on Poland’s new digital residence-permit portal, set to launch in beta on 15 October, and on the forthcoming EU Entry/Exit System. Representatives from Warsaw Labour Office were on hand to explain sponsorship obligations and the latest minimum-salary thresholds for Type A work permits. The Office says it will run two further weekend sessions in October if funding allows. Companies planning to on-board non-EU staff this quarter are encouraged to reserve slots early by phone, as booking lines experienced hour-long waits during the first registration window.
Source: Office for Foreigners
