Who Applies for a Poland Type A Work Permit and What to Prepare

Who files the Type A work permit in Poland?

A Poland Type A work permit (zezwolenie na pracę typ A) is filed by the Polish employer with the competent voivode (wojewoda). The foreign national does not file a Type A work permit application on their own. Type A is used when a non‑EU/EEA/Swiss citizen will work in Poland under an employment or civil law contract for a Polish entity.

If the foreigner instead applies for a combined temporary residence and work permit (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy i pracę), that application is filed by the foreigner, but it is still employer‑specific and requires the employer’s input. Separate rules apply to other permit types (for example, the EU Blue Card) and to categories exempt from permits. Always verify current requirements with the relevant Urząd Wojewódzki or official guidance before choosing the route.

What the permit decision must specify (and why it matters)

A Type A work permit decision names the employer and sets the key conditions: job title or function, place or places of work, working time or hours, remuneration, the legal basis of employment (for example, umowa o pracę or umowa zlecenie), and the validity period. These conditions define exactly what work is authorized.

If the actual work differs in a material way from the decision (for example, new employer, different position, significant change in location, hours, or pay), the work may be treated as unauthorized. In practice, changes usually require a new work permit or, for a single residence‑and‑work permit, an amendment procedure. Check the impact of any role, location, or contract change before implementing it.

Employer checklist: documents and preparation

Corporate details. Be ready to show current company registration and identification: a recent KRS extract (for companies) or CEIDG printout (for sole traders), NIP and REGON numbers, and an address for service. Some voivodes may also ask for evidence of lawful activity and no arrears with ZUS (social insurance) or the tax office; check local instructions.

Job offer specifics. Prepare a clear description of the position, duties, required qualifications, working hours, place(s) of work (including client sites if applicable), and proposed remuneration. The offered pay must at least meet the statutory minimum and be comparable to that of employees in similar roles at the employer; expect to provide a draft contract or a detailed terms sheet.

Labour market test (informacja starosty). Many Type A applications require the employer to obtain information from the local labour office (Powiatowy Urząd Pracy) after a short recruitment effort. Exemptions exist depending on the role, the candidate’s status, and local rules. Because practice varies by region, confirm with the competent labour office whether the test is required for your case and that the job details match your planned offer.

Filing and fees. The employer files with the voivode competent for the main place of work. Application forms and required attachments can differ across voivodeships. Follow the checklist published by your Urząd Wojewódzki and keep copies of everything you submit.

Employee checklist: information to give your employer

Identity and travel documents. Provide a clear copy of the passport biodata page and any pages showing current Polish visas, entry stamps, or residence permits. The passport should be valid for the intended period of work if possible.

Qualifications and licenses. If the job requires specific education, professional certification, or a regulated license, prepare scans of diplomas and credentials. Where requested, supply sworn translations into Polish and, if applicable, recognition documents for foreign degrees.

Personal details for the application. Share your current address (in Poland or abroad), contact details, and consistent spellings of names as they appear in your passport. If you already have a PESEL number, include it. Discrepancies across documents can slow the process, so align your data early.

When can work legally start?

A work permit authorizes work but not stay. The foreigner must also hold a valid basis to stay that permits work, such as a national visa or a residence permit covering the employment. Work can begin only once both the work authorization and the right to stay are in place and the signed contract matches the permit conditions.

Starting work just because an application was filed is generally not permitted for a Type A permit. There are narrow situations where pending applications or certain annotations allow continued work, but these depend on the status type and timing. Verify your individual situation with the competent voivode or an authorized information point before onboarding.

Worked example: hiring a software developer in Warsaw

A Warsaw IT company selects a backend developer who is a non‑EU citizen living abroad. The company confirms that no exemption applies and decides on a Type A work permit tied to an umowa o pracę. It prepares a detailed job description, confirms the salary meets at least the Polish minimum wage and is comparable to similar roles internally, and lists two places of work: the Warsaw office and a named client site.

Before filing, the company checks whether informacja starosty is required by the Mazowieckie labour office for this role and, if so, completes the recruitment step and obtains the document reflecting the same job details. It then files the Type A application with the Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki, attaching corporate extracts (KRS), identification numbers (NIP/REGON), the draft contract, and the candidate’s passport copy.

After receiving the positive decision, the employer sends the original to the candidate. If the candidate is abroad, they apply for a national visa at the Polish consulate. Upon arrival, the company signs the contract exactly as described in the permit and registers the employee with ZUS. If, later, the company wants to move the developer to a different city or change the role to team lead, it first checks whether a new permit is required before making the change.

Common pitfalls that delay or derail applications

Mismatch between offer and permit. Changing job title, location, hours, or salary between the job offer, labour market test, and the filed application can trigger questions or a refusal. Keep all documents consistent and update the process if the role evolves.

Vague or overly broad positions. Generic titles like Specialist without a clear description may not show that the candidate’s qualifications match the role. Provide concrete duties and requirements.

Ignoring place of work specifics. If work will be at client sites or partly remote, reflect this in the application according to local practice. Some voivodes want each location listed; others accept broader wording. Ask the competent office what they expect.

Assuming one file fits all voivodeships. Document checklists and forms can vary. Always use the guidance and templates published by your Urząd Wojewódzki.

Starting too late. Coordinating the work permit with visa or residence timelines takes planning. Build in time for translations, labour office steps, and consular appointments.

Next steps

Confirm the right authorization route for your hire, identify the competent voivode, and retrieve that office’s current checklist. Align the job description, draft contract, and (if needed) informacja starosty before filing. Collect clean scans of the candidate’s passport and credentials, and double‑check name spellings and addresses. If you want a single point of coordination for documents, forms, and timelines, Auranik’s Work Permit Administration service for Poland can manage preparation and filing with your local Urząd Wojewódzki while keeping your hiring plan on track. For case‑specific rules and any doubts, verify requirements directly with the competent authorities.