Mandatory MOS e-portal goes live: all Polish residence-permit filings move online and fees quadruple
Poland prolongs temporary-protection law and unveils nationwide integration-centre network for one million Ukrainians
Poland closes ten land crossings with Russia and Belarus amid security concerns
Latest News
Poland extends special travel-document scheme for Belarusians until 30 June 2026
Poland has prolonged its special regime allowing Belarusian citizens to apply for a Polish travel document—an emergency passport substitute—until 30 June 2026. The extension safeguards the legal status and mobility of thousands of Belarusian residents in Poland and removes an immediate compliance risk for employers relying on Belarusian talent. Companies should, however, factor in processing backlogs and educate travellers about possible recognition issues outside Schengen.
Christmas holidays shut Polish embassy in Addis Ababa, delaying East-African Schengen visa services
Poland’s embassy in Addis Ababa is closed on 6–7 January 2026 for Ethiopian Christmas, cancelling all visa appointments and document releases. East-African students and business travellers heading to Poland must reschedule, and employers should factor in at least two days’ delay—or reroute urgent cases through other consulates.
Poland switches to mandatory MOS e-portal and quadruples residence-permit fees
Poland has activated its MOS e-portal, making online filing mandatory for all residence-permit applications and increasing most government fees four-fold. Employers must obtain e-signatures, retrain staff and update budgets immediately or risk losing employee status. The change is Poland’s biggest immigration shake-up in a decade and signals a permanent shift to digital-only compliance.
Poland extends assistance law and launches integration-centre network for Ukrainian displaced persons
On 6 January 2026 Poland extended temporary-protection rights for Ukrainians to 4 March 2026, linked child-benefit eligibility to parental employment and launched a nationwide network of integration centres backed by a granular data dashboard. The move gives employers better access to talent but also new compliance checkpoints.
Warsaw suspends several border-crossing points with Russia and Belarus, issues travel alert
Poland has shut multiple road, rail and pedestrian crossings on its borders with Belarus and Russia, effective 6 January 2026. The closures, billed as temporary, aim to curb irregular migration and address security risks, but they will lengthen freight routes and disrupt business travel in the region.
Polish Embassy in Addis Ababa closes 6–7 January, delaying visa services for East Africa
Poland’s embassy in Addis Ababa is closed on 6 and 7 January 2026, halting visa processing for the region and delaying document legalisation. Employers should reschedule appointments and build extra lead time into assignment planning for East-African staff heading to Poland.